Organic beauty

Making skincare products

You, better than anyone, know your skin's likes and dislikes, so why opt for commercial products when you can make your own at home, using exactly what your skin type desires? Try these recipes from Organic Beauty: Look and Feel Gorgeous the Natural Way by Josephine Fairley (Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2001, $21.95)

Cleopatra's cleansing oil
This cleanser has a useful antimicrobial action, and it is also fantastic for dissolving and removing makeup.

• 1/8 cup (25 mL) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) grapeseed oil
• 1/8 cup (25 mL) coconut oil
• 7 drops rosemary essential oil
• 6 drops orange essential oil
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil
• 3 drops sage essential oil

Place a heatproof measuring cup inside a saucepan of water that has recently boiled. Pour the coconut oil into the cup and heat until the oil has completely melted. Blend in the other oils. Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle or a wide-mouthed jar, stirring well. Then put on the top and shake. As it cools, it will thicken slightly.

Simple cleansing cream
Like most readymade cleansers, this cream is a mix of oil and water. It's light to use and effective. It is suitable for all skin types, but particularly oily or normal.

• 1/4 oz (5 g) beeswax
• 1/2 cup (100 mL) grapeseed oil
• 2/3 cup (120 mL) distilled or spring water
• 1/2 tsp borax powder
• 12 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
• 8 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 5 drops orange essential oil (optional)

Place the beeswax and the grapeseed oil in a heatproof measuring cup in a recently boiled saucepan of water. Stir occasionally until the wax has melted entirely into the oil. Remove from the heat and let it cool to body temperature. Next, warm the distilled or spring water to body temperature and dissolve the 1/2 tsp of borax powder in it. Pour the wax and oil mixture into a bowl and add the water and borax mixture a little at a time, beating it with a handheld mixer until it reaches a creamy, thick consistency (this should take about five minutes to reach the right consistency.) If you want to add the essential oils, do so now. Stir the mixture until the oils have blended thoroughly.

Richer cleansing cream
• 1/4 cup (25 mL) jojoba oil
• 1/8 cup (25 mL) grapeseed oil
• 1/2 - 1 oz (10-20 g) beeswax (use less for a thinner cream)
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) lavender water or rosewater
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
• 1 tsp borax
• Antioxidant preservative: either 1 tsp vitamin C powder, 1/4 tsp vitamin A powder, or 1 tsp of wheatgerm oil
• 10 drops of essential oil (rose or lavender)

Melt the beeswax into the oils in a double boiler placed over medium heat. When melted, remove the mixture from the heat and pour in all the other ingredients. Mix with an electric handheld mixer until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency.

For cleansing, apply the cream to your face with your fingers, massage in well all over your face and neck, and rinse well with warm water. This rich cleansing cream works particularly well on mature and dry skin types.

Soothing skin tonic
• 3 tbsp dried or fresh marigold leaves
• 2 1/2 cups (500 mL) spring water
• 15 drops lavender oil
• 1 tbs apple juice

Place the leaves in a bowl, boil the spring water, and pour it on the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Add the apple juice; pour into a sterilized bottle and let it cool.