| Natural Recipes for
Skin & Bath “The art of aromatherapy at the present time is the most recent link in an unbroken chain of practices which originated in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptian, and the mere antiquity of the concepts is as much a part of the remedy now as it was to people in the ancient world, for they too looked to their ancestors for guidance.” Gathered here are some very simple recipes for natural skincare and bath bases. They are designed to be used with essential oils in order to give you more opportunities to utilize the art and science of true aromatherapy on a daily basis. The recommended amount of essential oil to be used is included in each recipe. However the choice of essential oils or blend is left entirely up to you and is therefore designed for those who have a working knowledge of aromatherapy. Utilizing essential oils in natural bath and skincare products turns them into a holistic blend of perfume, beauty support, and medicine. The products become powerful allies in promoting and protecting your natural beauty. Essential oils are the heart of these recipes. These fragrant gifts of nature have been used by many cultures since ancient times for their potent yet gentle effect on skin, hair, the sense of smell, and the psyche. Enjoy being creative with these recipes. They are merely guidelines to help you begin the wonderful experience of creating your own natural bath and skin care regime. They have been chosen for their simplicity and their use of only natural ingredients. Made without preservatives, the shelf life is less long that that of synthetic products. You can adjust the recipes to make only what you need or store extras in dark glass in a cool dark place. Extra creams, lotions, and bath oils can also be stored in the refrigerator. Essential oils should be added when you are ready to use the product to ensure maximum therapeutic benefit. Glycerin Soap Glycerin soaps, so simple to make, are naturally gentle, moisturizing and emollient. All sorts of visual effects can be created when ingredients are added to the translucent base. Enjoy creating your own stunning variations of this basic recipe. Equipment needed Double boiler Ingredients 1 pound glycerin soap Cut soap into chunks and place in double boiler. Add water and melt over medium heat. Cover to keep the soap from foaming on top due to air exposure. If a skin begins to form on the surface, simply skim it off with a flat knife blade. Heat the soap to approximately 158 degrees. Once soap is completely melted turn heat off and add essential oil. Stir gently to avoid creating foam. Pour slowly into mold. Allow soap to cool for 2 hours before removing then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a cool dry place. Many ingredients can be added to this basic recipe once the soap has melted such as color chips, dried photography, oatmeal, beeswax, and honey . If adding more than 1 tablespoon of liquid per pound you must add the same amount in solid. For example, if you add more than 1 Tbsp. Of honey you must add the same amount in oats. Salt scrub This scrub is an amazing exfoliant that imparts a radiant glow while stimulating circulation of the blood and lymph systems. All but the most sensitive skin types can safely use the salt scrub. It can double as a bath salt by simply reducing the amount of oil to your desired amount and reducing the essential oil amount to approx. 10 drops. You can then use the entire amount in your bath. 2/3 cup sea salts Combine salts and clay in a small mixing bowl. Stir in the Calendula infused oil. You may substitute a cold pressed oil or another infused oil. Add the essential oil and pour into a glass jar. The scrub may be used all over the body, either on dry or slightly damp skin, just prior to bathing or showering. Milk Bath Cleopatra, rumored to have beautiful skin, was said to have taken daily milk baths. Milk is rich in proteins, calcium, and vitamins that are easily absorbed by the skin while bathing. Also high in minerals is the bentonite clay which comes form ancient volcanic ash beds. Apricot kernel oil, which is slightly lighter than sweet almond oil, adds to the silky luxury of this wonderful bath. Many combinations of essential oils and photography can be added to create an unlimited number of fragrant experiences. 5 oz powdered milk Mix the milk, salt, and clay together in a small mixing bowl. Slowly, while stirring add the apricot kernel oil. Next add the orris root. Add the essential oils and mix well using a wire whisk or metal fork. Gently fold in the dried photography. Place in a decorative 8oz jar. Cap tightly and use within 3 months. Bath Bombs Fizzy and fragrant, bath bombs make great gifts. Children not only love to toss one into their bath, but they love to be part of the production. I recently had a bath bomb workshop with my son’s second grade class. Many moms received their child’s bath bomb for Christmas and were amazed that their child had produced such a luxurious treat. Recipe 2 cups baking soda Mix baking soda, citric acid, and orris root in a medium mixing bowl. While stirring, drizzle sweet almond oil into the bowl. Add essential oil one drop at a time and mix thoroughly. Gently fold in botanicals. While stirring spritz floral water very slowly taking care not to wet the mixture to the point of fizzing. Spritz until the mixture is damp and just barely able to clump between your fingers. Press into molds; metal cookie cutters work great. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing. Allow to dry on wax paper for 8-10 hours. Wrap in plastic wrap to preserve aroma. TIP: for maximum aroma use within 3 weeks. Bombs can be used later after aroma has diminished. Simply add 5-7 drops of essential oil to an individual bomb just before use. Light Bath Oil Grapeseed and apricot kernel oil are two very light fruit oils that will leave you feeling luxuriously silky but not heavily oiled after your bath. Glycerin holds moisture to your skin while adding to the silkiness of this wonderful bath treat. 5 oz cold pressed Grapeseed oil Combine ingredients in a glass measuring cup and stir well. Pour into an 8 oz glass bottle. One tablespoon of modified lecithin may be added to this recipe to help avoid the oily ring that bath oils leave in the tub. The bath oil will be more evenly distributed throughout the water. When using the bath oil add desired amount to bath after the tub has been filled. Swish the oil around and enjoy. Calendula Moisture cream This cream is a wonderfully rich moisturizer that can be used as a day cream for normal to dry skins and as a night cream for any skin type. It is imbued with the healing properties of Calendula, highly valued by the ancient Egyptians as a rejuvenating herb. Recipe 3oz coconut oil Combine the first 7 ingredients in a small saucepan and melt over a low heat. Remove from heat immediately when melted. Pour the mixture into a glass measuring cup and allow to cool to room temperature. Pour tea, distilled water, and aloe vera gel into a blender. These must also be at room temperature. Turn the blender to its highest speed and very slowly add the cooled oils. Blend until the cream gets thick and white. At this time the blender will begin making sputtering sounds, signaling that the cream has reached the proper consistency. Turn blender off and pour the cream into glass jars. Add essential oils, 7-10 drops per ounce, and stir well. Adding the essential oils after you have separated the cream into jars allows you to have several creams for different purposes. TIP: Be sure the temperatures of the oils and waters are the same to avoid separation in the cream. The two groups could be combined at any temperature as long as they match. You could melt the oils and heat the waters to the same temperature on candy thermometers (175 degrees). If separation does occur, simply shake before using. Lip Balm Children as well as adults love to use flavored lip balm. Citrus essential oils such as tangerine, lemon, lime and orange are especially yummy. Peppermint is great too. With other essential oils this recipe can also be used as a cuticle cream. 1 tbsp. Beeswax In a small saucepan melt beeswax with the sweet almond oil over a low heat. When the wax has just melted remove from heat. Add the honey and stir well. When the mixture begins to cool, but before it gets thick, add the essential oils. Pour into small lip balm jars or tubes. TIP: The glossiness of the lip balm is determined by the amount of vegetable oil used. This recipe has a slight gloss. If less glass is desired reduce the amount of sweet almond oil by 1 teaspoon. After Shave Splash This fragrant splash is refreshing and invigorating for any skin type. Witch hazel is a natural, mild astringent that also relieves minor skin irritations that can occur with shaving. The glycerin adds a slight silkiness while holding moisture to the skin. The rum and fruit are also mildly astringent while imparting a beautiful look and fragrance. 7oz witch hazel extract Place fruit and spices into a decorative glass jar. Pure maple syrup jars work well. Combine the witch hazel, water, rum and glycerin in a measuring cup, stir well, then pour into the glass bottle. Add essential oil and shake gently. The after-shave is ready for use. However, after a week the aroma is more mature because the fruits and spices have fully infused the liquid. You can get creative with the spices you choose to add to this recipe. Allspice, vanilla beans, rosehips and rosemary sprigs are a few added possibilities. Essential oils that have worked well as a blend in this recipe are bay laurel, cedarwood, clove bud, sweet orange, patchouli, and ylang ylang. Dry Shampoo Clays have been used since ancient times because of their ability to cleanse and their rich mineral content. This dry shampoo is a great time saving cleanser when you are on the go. As the clay absorbs dirt and oil, the essential oils cleanse and refresh your scalp. White clay is good for all hair types while green clay is especially good for oily hair. Bentonite clay, coming form ancient volcanic ash beds, is extremely rich in trace minerals. Pack some of the whole family on your next camping trip. Recipe 6 tbsp. White or green clay Mix dry ingredients in a small glass or metal bowl. Stir in essential oils one drop at a time, measuring for desired aroma concentration. Pour or funnel the resulting mixture into a shaker bottle or other glass bottle. Spice bottles work well. To use: Section hair into parts and shake small amounts of shampoo near scalp along the parted lines. Using your finger tips, massage evenly all over scalp then brush hair. References: |