I must admit that I'm a cosmetic junkie, I can't help myself-I'm a beauty therapist that loves all
the glamour and glitz of mass-marketed and smartly packaged cosmetics. Its part of my job to get to know whats out there and
sell, sell, sell. But all my life I have also had another great love apart from the beauty industry, and that is the health
and well being side. This is partly why I have such a great interest in aromatherapy and herbs. I have been interested
by hand made cosmetics from a very young age, decimating my mother's aromatic plants in the garden making all sorts of concoctions
out of them. Now as an adult, I am revisting this lost interest, and making some great revelations along the way. (Heres one
for you, the Crown Jewel of the Nutrimetics cosmetic range is the 'Nutri Rich ' cream. Its meant to be made out of apricot
kernel oil, and from memory, 100gms costs about $50. Now, for one thing, apricot kernel oil doesn't smell that good as the
nutri-rich oil, so its an added synthetic fragrance. But the retail price of 100mls of pure apricot kernel oil is about $12.00,
so part from the fragrance, the chemical additives and water in the product, what costs $50? The advertising, the agents
commision, the profit margin for the company and the beautiful packaging.)
I have the ability to have the best cosmetics available by making them myself. I no longer
have to guess at the ingrediant labels of cosmetics as to what all these chemical names are, and I can tailor make products
that suit my skin type perfectly. And they don't cost a fortune to make. I would like to share with you some very simple
recipes that don't require many expensive ingredients that you can make for yourself. As the page develops I will also add
information on other herbs and essential oils that could also be used in these recipes so you can tailor the product to your
own preferences. I hope you get so much joy, acheivement and pleasure out of making these products as I do :-)
Most of these recipes have been taken from Lauerl Vukovic's book "1001 Natural Remedies." This book
is an excellent resource for not only making your own cosmetics, but for natural health remedies, natural house products for
cleaning, natural garden products and natural pet care products.
* Throughout the recipes are suggestions for natural preservatives. I have labelled them
as an option because the recipes are water-in-oil emulsions that don't tend to go off as quickly as oil-in water emulsions.
This means that you could probably have the cream stored up to a year without going rancid, provided it is stored in amber
or blue glass. The difference between a water-in-oil emulsion compared to an oil-in-water emulsion is that the former is more
greasy in it's consistency when applied to the skin. This just means you have to use less of the product, a little goes a
long way. An oil-in-water emulsion is mainly made from water (these are the creams we are used to as most cosmetics use
this formula) and have the oil emulsified into them with the help of an emulsifying wax-which is a synthetic product. They
are a little more difficult to make than the water-in-oil emulsions and require a preservative to be added. I have added the
option of the preservatives for those people who want to make the cosmetics as gifts or if they are making them to sell to
others. The Vitaman E capsules can be replaced by substituting one of the TBS of oil in the recipe for a TBS of Wheat-Germ
oil, which is both high in natural Vitamin E and also acts as a preservative.
Sensitive Skin.
Here is a very simple recipe for a sensitive skin cleanser that is also suitable for
normal and dry skin types.
Rosewater & Glycerine Cleanser
125ml rosewater
125ml vegetable glycerine
2 drops rose essential oil.
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass bottle and shake well. You can apply this
liquid cleanser like a cream cleanser, rubbing it over your face with your hands and rinsing with warm water and a face washer
or use cotton wool balls to apply and wipe over the skin and rinse with water.
Aromatherapy Toner
1 tsp witch hazel
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rose essential oil
250ml rosewater.
Mix all the ingrediants together in a glass bottle and shake well. Apply to skin after
cleansing with a cosmetic pad.
Chamomile Cream
2 TBS grapeseed oil
2 TBS jojoba oil
1 TBS grated beeswax
1 400 IU Vitamin E capsule (optional)
60mls rosewater
5 drops chamomile oil
5 drops rose oil
3 drops grapefruit-seed extract (optional)
In a double boiler warm the oils and add the beeswax. Gently heat the oils and wax
until the wax is disolved-do not overheat. Add the vit E capsule (acts as a preservative) contents, and then stir in the rosewater
slowly-trickle it in. Keep stirring the cream until you are sure it has all emulsified and then add the essential oils and
grapefruit seed extract (which acts as a preservative andwill give the product a shelf life of up to two years)
Dry Skin
Have you noticed that the products you buy designed for your dry skin never seem to
solve the problem? You get some temporary relief after the intital application, but after a while you just have to keep using
more and more for the same result? The reason for this is because most of the cosmetics available on the market are made from
mineral oil, a cheap oil derived from petrolatum which has the catch-22 ability-it will relieve the skin and restore moisture,
but at the same time it depletes the skin of moisture so you have no choice but to use more to get the same result. Making
your own creams puts you in control of what you smear over your body, allowing you to the choose oils that will benefit your
skin instead of contributing to the problem.
Aromatherapy Cleansing Cream
60mls rosewater
60mls vegetable glycerine
60 mls aloe vera gel
5 drops palma rosa oil
2 drops rose oil.
Combine all the ingredients in a glass bottle and shake well.
Herbal Toner
125mls witch hazel
125mls rosewater
1 tsp glycerine
1tsp dried chamomile
1 tsp dried calendula flowers
1 tsp dried rose petals
Mix all the ingredients in a glass jar and allow to steep for a week. After the week
is up, strain the liquid to remove the dried herbs. Decant into a glass bottle and apply to face after cleansing with cotton
wool.
Aromatherapy Toner
1 tsp witch hazel
20 drops sandalwood essential oil
1 tsp glycerine
250 mls rosewater
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass bottle. Apply to skin after cleansing with
cotton wool.
*The next recipe will not keep for more than a week without refridgeration.
Aromatherapy Facial Mask
2 tsps natural, whole-fat yoghurt
1/2 tsp cosmetic clay
1/2 tsp jojoba oil
2 drops sandalwood
1 drop rose
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Apply to skin after cleansing. Leave
on for up to 20 minutes. Rinse and follow with toner and moisturizer.
Normal Skin
Herbal Cleansing Lotion
60mls witch hazel
60mls rosewater
1 tsp dried elder flowers
1 tsp dried calendula flowers
1 tsp dried chamomile
60mls glycerine
Steep the herbs in the witch hazel and rosewater in a jar for a week. Strain and then
add the glycerine. Decant into a glass bottle and shake well.
Aromatherapy Cleanser
60mls rosewater
60mls glycerine
60 ml aloe vera juice
10 drops lavender oil
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass bottle and shake well.
Simple Toner
125mls water
1 tsp witch hazel
10 drops lavender oil
Mix all the ingredients together and shake well.
Citrus & Lavender Moisturizer
2 TBS grapeseed oil
2 TBS jojoba oil
1 TBS grated beeswax
1 400IU capsule Vit-E (optional)
60mls aloe vera gel
3 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional)
5 drops lavender oil
5 drops grapefruit oil
Follow the instructions as for the sensitive skin 'Chamomile Cream' recipe.
*The folowing recipe must be kept in the fridge. Use within a week.
Aromatherapy facial mask
2 tsp whole-fat natural yoghurt
1/2 tsp cosmetic clay
2 drops lavender oil
1 drop geranium oil
Mis all the ingredients together and smear over a cleansed face. Leave for 20 minutes,
then rinse, tone and moisturise.
Mature Skin
Orange Blossom Cleansing Cream
2 TBS jojoba oil
1 TBS almond oil
1TBS coconut oil
1 TBS grated beeswax
1 400IU Vitamin E capsule (optional)
80mls rosewater
3 drops neroli or petitgrain essential oil
3 drops palma rosa essential oil
3 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional)
Follow the instructions as explained in the sensitive skin 'Chamomile Cream' recipe.
Revitalizing Cream
3 TBS almond oil
1 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS grated beeswax
1 400IU capsule Vit-E (optional)
60mls rosewater
3 drops neroli oil
3 drops sandalwood oil
3 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional)
Follow the instructions as per sensitive skin 'Chamomile Cream' recipe.
Acne & Blemished Skin
Herbal Cleanser
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried lavender
1 tsp dried calendula flowers
1 tsp dried comfrey
60mls rosewater
2 TBS glycerine
Steep the herbs in the witch hazel and rosewater for a week, shaking daily. Strain
the mixture and add the glycerine. To use, saturate a cosmetic pad with the lotion and wipe over the face.
* The following recipe needs to be stored in the fridge. This recipe is enough to last
for a week. After that time the product should be disposed of.
Herbal Cleansing Milk
125ml plain yoghurt
125mls water
1 TBS dried calendula
1 TBS dried thyme
2 TBS dried comfrey leaf
Make an infusion with the herbs and the water. Leave to stand over night then strain
and mix the liquid into the yoghurt.
Oily Skin
Aromatherapy Cleanser
60mls witch hazel
60mls glycerine
60mls aloe vera gel
1 TBS cider vinegar
5 drops grapefruit oil
2 drops lemon oil
Mix all the ingredients togther in a glass bottle and shake well.
Aromatherapy Astringent
250mls witch hazel
10 drops juniper oil
10 drops lavender oil
Mix ingredients together in a glass bottle and shake well.
Herbal Astringent
250mls witch hazel
2 tsp dried yarrow
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried peppermint
1 tsp dried comfrey
Mix all the ingredients well. Allow to steep for two weeks, shaking daily. Strain and
decant into a glass bottle.
Another great reference book for making your own cosmetics is Nerys Purchon's beautiful Body
Craft.
The following recipes have been taken from this text.
Some of these recipes are oil-in-water emulsions, which means they will be lighter and less greasy,
but you will need an emulsifying wax in order to achieve this. Also, tincture of benzoin is the suggested preservative for
these cosmetic recipes, but you can use grapeseed extract if you wish.
Rose Cleansing CreamDry/Combination/Normal
Skin
35g emulsifying wax
25g Copha
125ml grapeseed oil
185mls purified water
25ml rosewater
10 drops rose geranium oil
10 drops palma rosa oil
Melt the wax, Copha and grapeseed oil together in a double boiler, don't overheat (about
45 degrees celsius should be the aim). Remove from heat. Heat the rosewater and water in a saucepan to the same temperature
as the wax mixture. Add the water mixture to the wax mixture slowly, stirring constantly until lukewarm. Add the essential
oils and mix well. Pour into jars and shake until cool.
Basic Mask
100g fuller's earth or kaolin clay
2 TBS cornflour
1 TBS finely ground oats
1 TBS finely ground almond meal
Mix all together and store in a tightly covered jar. Mix 1 TBS of the mixture to a soft
paste with either honey, fruit juice or pulp, vinegar, yoghurt, egg, a herbal infusion or decotion. Spread over your face
and leave for 15 minutes.
Calendula Skin Tonic for all skin types
1 teacup fresh calendula flowers
2 cups boiling water
1/4 tsp tincture of benzoin
Mix the flowers and water together in a heatproof bowl. Allow to stand in a warm place
for 4 hours. Strain and bottle. Add the tincture and Shake well.
Herbal Aftershave Lotion
2 TBS calendula flowers, finely chopped
2 TBS finely chopped rosemary
2 cups boiling water
50ml witch hazel
2 tsp tincture of benzoin
Mix the herbs and boiling water in a jar and leave for 24 hours in a warm place. Strain,
add the witch hazel and benzoin and mix well.
Pep-Up Astringent
1 teacup fresh peppermint
1/2 teacup fresh calanedula flowers
boiling water to cover
1/2 cup witch hazel
1 teaspoon tincture of benzoin
4 drops peppermint oil
Chop the herbs finely, mix together and cover with boiling water. Leave for four hours.
Strain and add the witch hazel and benzoin and mix well. Bottle.
Apricot Rose Cream Dry/Combination/Normal Skin
2 TBS almond oil
2 TBS apricot kernel oil
4 gms beeswax
30 mls rosewater
1/2 teaspoon borax(helps to emulsify & preserve)
2x250 IU vitamin E capsules
10 drops essential oil of choice
Melt the wax and oils until wax is melted. Disolve the borax into the rosewater and slowly
add to the wax/oil mixture. Add the contents of the vit E capsules when the mixture is below 50 degrees celsius. Spoon into
sterilised jars and cap immediately.
Eye Cream
1 TBS lanolin
2 tsp almond oil
2 tsp wheatgerm oil
1 tsp apricot oil
2 tsp purified water
Melt the oils and lanolin in a double boiler until the mixture is liquid but not overheated.
Warm the water in a separate container to the same temp as the oil mixture and slowly trickle the water into the oils. Stir
constantly until cool and spoon into sterilised jars and cap immediately.
Rosemary Lip Repair
15 gms beeswax
2 TBS cosmetic grade sesame oil
1 TBS wheat germ oil
1 tsp almond oil
10 drops rosemary oil
2 x 250 IU vitamin E capsules
1/2 tsp glycerine
Melt the oils and wax until wax is melted. Cool and add the vit E and then the rosemary
oil and glycerine. Stir until no moisture drops are visible. Pot the mixture quickly while still soft.
Lemon & lavender Hand Softener
30 gms beeswax
100ml almond oil
125mls canola oil
2 TBS glycerine
2 mls lemon essential oil
1 ml lavender essential oil
1 tsp tincture of benzoin.
Follow the instructions for making creams as previously described, adding the essential
oils and benzoin once the temperature of the mixture is below 50 degrees celsius.
Deodorant Lotion
90ml witch hazel
1 tsp glycerine
30 drops clary sage oil
10 drops lavender oil
10 drops thyme oil
10 drops patchouli oil
5 drops sandalwood oil
Blend all the ingredients together in a 125ml bottle. Shake well to mix and leave for
four days before using. Shake before use.
Vitamin A Nappy Cream
1 TBS lanolin
15 g beeswax
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS cod liver oil
2 teaspoons unperfumed talc
Melt the lanolin and beeswax in a double boiler until the mixture is liquid-do not
overheat. Heat the olive and cod-liver oil and mix well with the talc. Add to the lanolin/wax mixture and stir well. Pot into
sterilsed containers and cap immediately.
Basic Soap Recipe
125 mls water
25 g caustic soda
175 ml melted clean tallow (Black & Gold Brand Dripping Fat)
25ml of oil
Put the water into a heat proof glass jug. Sprinkle in the caustic soda, stir until disolved.
(Make sure you are wearing gloves, a plastic apron and protective glasses. If at any time the caustic soda solution comes
into contact with your skin, wash it immediatley with lots of water, this stuff is dangerous-make sure the kids are not around!)
Leave to cool until the temp is 33 to 34 degrees celsius, this could take an hour. Heat the fats and oils and leave to cool
to about 40 degrees celsius. Once the temps are reached, slowly pour the caustic solution into the fat solution, stirring
constantly in a figure eight motion. Keep stirring until the mixture holds a trail when drizzled on the surface of the soap,
this can take up to an hour. Add any colourings and fragrances at this point. Pour the soap into a mold and put in a warm
place to harden-an esky is the best place. When the soap is set like hard butter, take out of the mold and cut to size and
then put back into the esky for another 24-48 hours. Then place the soap in an airy place for 2-3 weeks to cure and harden.
* Some tips for soap making-if you do not want to use the animal tallow for soap,
replace the fat with a solid vegetable fat instead-A Supa-Fry and copha blend is perfect. Here is a recipe for a larger quantity
of soap. Use clean 1 litre milk cartons for the molds. You will need about 4 litre cartons for this recipe-this will keep
you in soap for a very long time!
1250mls water (1 litre & 1 cup)
250 gm caustic soda
1750 gms fat (1 kilo & 750 gms-break it up, use 1kg supafry and 750gms copha)
250 mls oil of choice (olive oil is good)
Place the water in a plastic bucket and add the caustic (wearing your protective gear,
and NEVER ADD WATER TO DRY CAUSTIC-ALWAYS ADD THE CAUSTIC TO WATER) Place the bucket somewhere safe overnight (a car boot
is a good idea, lock it and don't forget its there!) Heat the fats and oils to about 45 degrees celisus and stir the caustic
solution into the fats as per the last recipes instructions. When trailing, add perfume and colour (further info will be provided
on this web page about this soon) and then pour into the milk carton moulds, close the tops and place the molds into an esky.
