Cosmetic giants will have us believe that we need their products in order to keep our skin clean, toned, moisturised and looking as young and beautiful as possible. However, not only do we not know exactly what goes into these products, but we also do not know what effects these ingredients will ultimately have on our bodies.
Unlike the food industry, the cosmetic industry is under no obligation to inform the public of all the ingredients that go into their products, least of all the actual harmful effects that these ingredients can possibly have. In Ugly Facts About Beauty, published on Suite101, I explored the facts and figures about the commercial beauty industry, along with some examples of harmful ingredients that go into bubble bath and their side effects, some of which were carcinogenic. How do we know what's going onto our skin? What do all those long winded names of ingredients actually mean? We can eliminate these questions from our thoughts by creating our own products from easily sourced natural ingredients.
Josephine Fairley, author of The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book published in 2005 by Silverdale Books, has created 100 easy-to- follow recipes for home made deodorant, facial care, hair care, body tonics and anti-cellulite oil, to name but a few. Her philosophy is as follows “If you can make a salad dressing or brew a cup of tea – or melt chocolate in a double-boiler into a pool of yummies – then the world of truly, totally 100 percent natural cosmetics is wide open to you.”
Below are a few simple recipes from the book.
Apricot Softening Mask (Dry Skin)
- 2 fresh apricots
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
Method
- Blanch the apricots in just-boiled water for 1 minute to make it easy to peel off the skins.
- Slice to remove the stones, then mash the flesh to a smooth pulp, adding the oil in a trickle.
- Spread onto the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth area, and relax for 20 minutes while the softening ingredients get to work.
- Rinse well with warm water, pat dry and moisturise as usual.
Milk, Cucumber and Mint Cleanser (Oily Skin)
Cooling and soothing, the milk is lightly hydrating.
- 10cm (2 inch) piece of cucumber
- 5 mint leaves
- 50 ml (2fl oz) milk
- 2 drops grapefruit seed extract (or 4 drops of tincture of benzoin)
Method
- Peel the cucumber and chop It roughly.
- Remove the stalks and chop the mint leaves roughly.
- Place the cucumber and mint in a blender or food processor with the milk, and whizz until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a pan and heat until simmering over a medium heat. Simmer for a further 2 minutes, and allow to cool.
- Strain through muslin (or a piece of kitchen paper).
- Pour the liquid into a sterilised bottle and add the grapefruit seed extract.
- Keep the cleanser in the fridge and use within a week.
Chamomile Comfort Cream (Sensitive Skin)
Gentle and nourishing.
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
- 150 ml (¼ pint) water
- 100 ml (3 ½ fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon runny honey
- 10g (½ oz) beeswax
- 2 tablespoon vegetable glycerine
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops calendula essential oil
Method
- Put the chamomile and water in a pan and bring to the boil; cover and simmer for 5 minutes to make a herbal decoction. Leave to cool, then strain off and discard the herbs.
- Place the oil, honey and beeswax in the top of a double-boiler and slowly add the glycerine; melt gently on a low heat and keep stirring.
- Remove from the heat and beat in the heral decoction with a hand whisk or blender.
- Add the essential oils and stir again.
- Transfer to a sterilised jar or pot and cover when completely cold. Use within 2 months.
These are three examples of recipes for different skin types all utilising natural products that can be grown in your garden and bought in your local herbal health shop, made with a little preparation time and maximum benefit to your skin.
Making products in the comfort of our own home not only creates a sense of self gratification, but also satisfies the absolute knowledge of what is going into our treatments and the effects they will have on our skin. With a little further research about the various essential and carrier oils available, recipes can be modified and personalised to suit each individuals exact requirements at any given time.
We no longer need to be trapped in the maze of over-priced, possibly harmful commercial products found amongst the ever growing list of brands found at counters at the nearest department store, sold to us by so-called fresh faced sales assistants caked with layers of foundation, shadow, blush and mascara. We can create a little of our own magic with lotions and potions brewed in our homes with ingredients found in our kitchen and a touch of love from our own hands.
