More Recipes for Herbal Skin Cleansers
I won’t bore you with any more history and lore about herbs. If you have read anything else on this blog, then you know that herbs have a long and varied history with positive results and most cherished recipes are handed down from generation to generation like a heirloom. At one time in our history, herbs were like heirlooms, priceless and necessary. Some of the first methods of employing herbs successfully was in the personal care of the body and hair. Clean water was hard to find and bathing was a luxury for many centuries, something enjoyed by only the rich and powerful. Caesar bathed in herbal waters but the people of Rome were dirty and smelly. Much time and effort was expended to create luxurious cosmetics, cremes, waters, scents, powders and other delicious indulgences to keep the Pharaohs and their concubines clean and comfy. And many of the fantastic herbal recipes for rich and luxurious cosmetics come from this period in our history.
Today I want to cut to the chase and just give you the projects without too much fanfare. For women who are allergic to dyes and chemicals or sensitive to processed perfumes and animal products like Civet Cat musk and animal fats, these herbal recipes will provide joyous relief for reasonable cost. These recipes also put the wheel back in your hands… they allow you to pick and choose, to make changes where you wish, and actually create a cosmetic or other beauty product that suits you perfectly! With practice, not only will you have some of the finest and most luxurious cosmetics and skin care products you will ever find, anywhere, at any price but you can create your own designs and give them as gifts or even start a cottage industry! Imagine making cosmetics in your own kitchen and selling them for a premium! This is possible.
Today I want to tackle skin cleansers exclusively. If you are like me, you are crazy to find a cleanser that works for you. I have dry skin which is desperate for something like Shea Butter or mineral oil but I am also allergic to perfumes and sensitive to chemicals. So I scratch no matter what… either my skin is still dry or more dry after washing or I am suffering with a rash. So my solution is simple: I made a luxurious homemade cleanser with no chemicals or added perfumes that is rich in oils and emollients.
Here are the recipes I have gathered for you today, easy to follow and cheap to diy:
Elderflower Cleansing Lotion
Ingredients:
2 1/4 fluid oz Distilled Elderflower Water
1 tsp grated unscented Soap
6 fl oz Sesame-Seed Oil
3 tbsp Cocoa Butter
1 1/2 tbsp melted Beeswax
Method:
Soften the soap in the top of a double boiler. Then mix in the Oil, Cocoa Butter and Beeswax and allow the mix to warm. Warm the Elderflower water in a separate pan and then beat it gradually into the oil mixture. Pour into a bottle or jar and allow to cool. Cover tightly and store for future use. Remember to label!!
Chamomile Cleansing Milk
Ingredients:
2 tbsp Chamomile Flowers, fresh or dried
1/2 cup Cream
Method:
Heat Milk and Flowers together in a double boiler for 30 minutes. Do not let the Milk boil or form a layer of skin.
Cool and leave to infuse for another 2 hours. After 2 hours, strain out the flowers. Bottle the Milk and keep refrigerated until use. Use within 1 week.
Apply to the face with cotton wool and remove excess with tissues.
Cucumber and Yarrow Cleanser
Ingredients:
1 tsp Emulsifying Wax
4 tbsp Soy Oil
2 tbsp pureed Cucumber
6 tbsp Yarrow Infusion
5 drops Tincture of Myrrh
Method:
Puree an entire Cucumber in a blender and put several spoonfuls in a strainer. Strain out 2 teaspoonfuls of liquid. Set it aside.
Melt the wax over a low heat. Warm the Soy Oil in a separate pot and then slowly add it to the wax as it melts. Beat this well.
Heat the Cucumber Juice and the Yarrow Infusion in a separate pot. You should make up the Yarrow infusion ahead of time to have it prepared. Blend the Yarrow and Cucumber Juice into the Oil and Wax blend. Stir gently but completely.
Take off the heat and beat thoroughly as the mixture cools. Once cooled, stir in the Tincture of Myrrh. Spoon into jars or bottles and label for future use.
Deep Cleaning Facial Steamer
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried Rosemary
1/2 cup dried Nettle Leaves
Bowl
6 cups Water
Towel
Method:
Boil 6 cups of water in a pot. Put the herbs in the bowl. Pour over with enough hot boiling water to cover. Lean over the bowl, face down towards it and place the towel over your head to make a tent. Don’t get too close and be careful not to get burned. Steam for 1 minute.
This steamer will get the pores clean and will get off layers of dirt and grime. Afterwards, your face will feel squeaky clean and fresh.
Elderflower Milk Cream
Ingredients:
1 large fresh Elderflower heads
1 1/2 cups plain Yogurt
3 tbsp clear Honey
Method:
Pick the flowers from the Elderflower heads and put them in a small pan. Add the Yogurt and stir over low heat. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, then cover and set aside off the heat for 3-4 hours.
After 3-4 hours, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or sieve. Toss out the flowers. Add the mix back to the pan and stir in the Honey. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture thickens. Pour into jars and label. Keep in the refrigerator and use often.
A Deep Cleansing Face Pack
Ingredients:
1 tsp Beeswax
1 tbsp Lanolin
3 tbsp Rosewater
1 tbsp Fullers’ Earth
1 tsp Irish Moss or Flax Seeds
Method:
Melt the wax and the Lanolin together over a gentle heat, stirring continuously. After it is warm and well mixed, remove from heat and add the Rosewater, continuing to stir constantly.
Once the mix has cooled, mix in the Fuller’s Earth and Irish Moss or Flax Seeds. Stir this mix until it forms a smooth paste.
Smear this mixture thickly over the face like a mask. Leave in place for 30 minutes and wash off with a gentle cleanser. This pack will draw impurities from the skin and leave it feeling fresh.
Lemon Cleansing Cream
Ingredients:
1 tbsp Beeswax
1 1/2 tbsp Petroleum Jelly
3 tbsp Mineral Oil
1 tbsp Witch Hazel
1 tbsp Lemon Juice, strained
1/8 tsp Borax
6 drops of Essential Oil of Lemon
2 Small Saucepans
Clean Jar with Stopper or Lid
Method:
Melt the Beeswax and Petroleum Jelly together in a small Saucepan over low heat. In the second Saucepan, warm the Mineral Oil slowly. As it warms, gradually add the Mineral Oil to the Wax mixture in the first Saucepan and beat it briskly with a spoon or wire whisk for 3-5 minutes.
In the second Saucepan, warm the Witch Hazel and Lemon Juice over low heat. As it warms, stir in the Borax and continue warming until completely dissolved. Slowly add this to the Wax mixture in the first Saucepan and beat briskly with a spoon or wire whisk until it is creamy and cool.
Once cook, stir in the Essential Oil of Lemon. Stir in completely and then spoon the Cream into the Clean Jar and stopper. Use as needed.
Comfrey Cream Cleanser
Ingredients:
1 cup of dried Comfrey Leaves
1 cup Water
Saucepan
1/2 cup Almond or Light Olive Oil
2 tbsp melted Beeswax
2 tbsp Cocoa Butter
1 tsp Borax
2 tsp Honey
Double Boiler
Method:
Make Comfrey Infusion by placing the Comfrey Leaves into a saucepan with the one cup of Water. Bring to a boil over high heat and turn down the heat immediately. Let it simmer on lower heat for another 5 minutes . Remove from heat and allow to cool, infusing for another 10 minutes. Once cool, it is ready to use.
Melt the Oil, Beeswax and Cocoa Butter in the top of the double boiler. Warm 1/2 cup of the Comfrey infusion in the other saucepan and as it warms, add in the Borax and Honey and allow to thoroughly dissolve as it warms. Stir in carefully.
Remove both pans from the heat and gradually combine the two mixtures. Beat the combination steadily with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until the mixture begins to thicken to a creamy consistency as it cools down. Pot this up in a glass jar or container and label.
Buttermilk and Fennel Cleansing Milk
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Buttermilk
2 tbsp Fennel Seeds, crushed
Double Boiler
Clean Glass Bottle with stopper
Strainer
Method:
Gently heat the Milk and crushed Seeds together in the Double Boiler for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to stand and infuse for another 2 hours. After 2 hours, strain and bottle, refrigerate and use within one week.
So there you have some great recipes for various cleansing lotions, all made from natural ingredients with fresh herbs. Enjoy!
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