Green Tea and Peppermint Toner

Green tea has a lot of antioxidants which help fight free radicals in the skin.  Peppermint is very refreshing and uplifting.  This is for all skin types.

3/4 cup of peppermint leaves, chopped or torn up into pieces
2 tea bags

I put two tea bags into a 2 cup measuring cup and poured boiling water over and filled to the top.  I broke up the peppermint leaves and put them in a heat safe glass bowl that had a lid. Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the leaves. If you do not cover the bowl then volatile elements will evaporate. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a jar/measuring cup.  Mix the liquids. Pour into a bottle and keep it refrigerated. Will last 7-10 days. You can freeze the extra in ice cube trays that have lids.

This was found in the book, Feeding Your Skin by Carla Oats.

Sun-Kissed Skin Spray

This is a healing and refreshing spray for the skin.  It is also great for frizzy hair and adds shine.  Store in a spray bottle in the fridge and it will last the summer. I plan on bringing it along with me when we venture to the river/bay/ocean.  Always good to be prepared!

-20 drops of lavender essential oil
-2 tsp apple cider vinegar
-500ml pure aloe vera juice
-contents of 5-6 vitamin E liquid capsules

1. Add the essential oil to the vinegar and stir.
2. Add the aloe vera and vitamin E capsules. You will need to make a slit and squeeze out the contents. Stir.

Store in a spray bottle and shake before each use.  Keep refrigerated.

This is great for when you get too much sun and you need to cool down.  I just started using it on my hair so stay tuned.  It does not make my hair feel any different texture wise.

The aloe vera juice needs to be pure.  I got the Fruit of the Earth Brand and I got a gallon of it at Walmart for about $8.  I found it at health food stores too.

This was in the book, Feeding Your Skin by Carla Oats.

Homemade Cleaners

I have a combination skin type, which is an oily t-zone and dry cheeks.  Sometimes this requires making two different cleaners/masks/scrubs, but I have found a few for combo skin that I am willing to try.

Buttermilk and Lavender Cleanser:
-1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil
-62 ml buttermilk (can also use a milk that is suited to your skin type)

Drop oil into the buttermilk and shake until combined.  Bottle in a food grade glass or plastic bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.  You can buy nice bottles with all different kinds of tops here.  I like the site because you do not need to buy them in bulk.  This is a nice cleanser for the morning. If you are not familiar with milk cleansers then just know that they do not foam or suds up.  You usually apply them with a cotton facial pad.

Lavender Castile Cleanser:
-4 1/2 tbsp of liquid Castile soap (I used unscented Dr. Bronner's Castile Liquid Soap)
-2 tsp sweet almond or apricot kernel oil (I used almond)
-20 drops of lavender essential oil (can also use an oil that is suited to your skin type)

Pour into a bottle and shake.  Shelf life is 6 months.  Apply with fingertips and remove with wash cloth and tepid water.  Can add an extra tablespoon of oil in the winter when your face skin is drier. This is the type of cleanser that is foamy.

I got both of these from the book, Feeding You Skin by Carla Oats.

Sugar Scrub for the Body and Oatmeal, Honey, Rosewater Facial Mask

Sugar Scrub for the Body:

1 cup brown sugar

About 1/3 cup (maybe a tad less) grape seed oil.  Can also use sunflower oil or almond oil.

20 drops of an essential oil of your choice.  I did 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of eucalyptus.

In a bowl, add the brown sugar making sure you break up all the lumps.  Add the essential oil(s) and stir.  Gradually add the carrier oil (grape seed, almond, sunflower) and stir. The consistency should be similar to wet sand.  Store in jar with air tight lid for up to four months. Scrubs can be used about once a week. If you have tougher skin you could use it more. You do not want to over exfoliate. 

Things to be aware of:

-If water gets into the scrub it will aid in bacteria growth. Vitamin E oil, Rosemary extract and Grapefruit Seed extract are natural preservative. They basically slow microbial activity, but it does not really keep it from happening altogether. 

-What I did was shave and wash my hair first plus it got the bathroom warm and steamy.  I switched the shower part off (water still running) and applied the scrub. This will secure that you will not get water in the scrub.  Your hands are not wet so you won't drop the jar in the shower as well. I then rinsed and washed myself to get everything off. Skin was smooth after and I sealed it in with lotion. 

-If you make a salt scrub then use the scrub first and then shave. It will sting if you use it on freshly shaved legs.

Oatmeal, Honey and Rosewater Facial Mask:

1/4 cup oatmeal, finely ground

About 1/4 cup pure rosewater

2 tsp honey

Finely ground the oatmeal using a clean coffee grinder or food processor.  Pour into a bowl.  Gradually add the rosewater until it is a gooey-like consistency. I did not use all the rosewater. Add the honey and stir again.  Use a fan brush or thicker/wider tipped brush to apply the mask to your face and neck. Leave on for about 15-20 minutes.  I found that rinsing in the shower was easier. I am not sure of the shelf life for this one.  It does not contain anything that needs to be refrigerated so I will have to let you know how it turns out if kept in an air tight jar. 

This is good for people who are prone to acne.  Rosewater is a mild astringent and can help control oil without over drying.  You can even use plain rosewater to wash your face or create a toner using rosewater and witch hazel. Oatmeal is a very gentle exfoliant.  Honey is a bactericide which means it kills bacteria. P. Acnes is the bacteria which causes acne (in most cases).  Honey has a high acid content so it can be used in lieu of alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate, but it will not harm sensitive skin. Honey also attracts water which is what oily skinned people need. Hydrate after the mask with a moisturizer that does not contain oil as the base (water should be the first ingredient).

Homemade Cosmetics

I have been going through this phase where I have been fed up with most retail facial/body products.  Whether it is all the unknown ingredients or the price for it being organic/safe has just sent me over the edge to where I do not use anything (except Burt's Bees Lip Balm and Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer).  I also use Cetaphil Lotion on my face because it keeps my combo oil/dry skin in balance and Aveda's Hand Relief Cream. I like trying different products and experimenting, but when you refuse to cough up the dough it is hard to continue being the product junkie that I am.  I am a sucker for facial masks, body scrubs, toner... and the list goes on.

My friend, Megan, inspired me to start making my own products (her blog is here).  It makes complete sense since it is cheaper and you are in control of what goes into the product. I also realized while making the scrub that this would be an awesome gift. This new challenge will also put my knowledge to the test and see if I can remember key elements of facial conditions and how to treat them like we did in esthetician school.

Since I cannot remember everything, I have been referencing the book Feeding Your Skin.  I really like it because it is very thorough.  The recipes are simple and you can easily tweak some to suit your needs.