Herbs For Skin Care

From early times herbs and other wonders from nature's garden have been used in skin care.

With so much concern surrounding the use of chemicals in commercial products, why not try some of Mother Nature's delights in your home made natural skin care products!  Here are a few recipes to get you started.


Rose Moisturising Cream

This is great for dry or normal skin types.
You should try a small test patch before applying all over, to check for possible allergic reaction to lanolin.

5 or 6 drops of rose essential oil
4 tablespoons of rosewater
4 tablespoons of lanolin
4 tablespoons of almond oil
2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
1 teaspoon of borax

Use a double boiler to melt the lanolin, over low heat.
In a saucepan, gently heat almond and sunflower oils.
Add these to the lanolin, stir, then remove from heat.
In another saucepan, warm the rosewater.
Dissolve the borax in the rosewater.
Add the rosewater and borax mixture to the oils slowly, beating until cool.
As it thickens, mix in the drops of rose essential oil.
Place in a screw top jar, allowing to cool before closing the lid.
Let your skin and senses enjoy!  Use within a few days.


Lavender and Cucumber Cleanser

A soothing cleansing milk, great for oily or normal skin. 
Try a spot test first, as some very sensitive skins may have a reaction to cucumber.

5 or 6 drops of lavender essential oil
A 10cm long piece of cucumber
Half a cup of buttermilk

Peel the cucumber. Use a blender to liquefy.  Pour this into a bowl.
Fold in the buttermilk and lavender essential oil.
Allow to stand for a couple of hours, then strain.
Pour mixture into a bottle/jar and refrigerate.
Enjoy the cooling effect as you cleanse!  Use within a week.


Fragrant Massage Oil

Massage away your aches, pains and stresses with this wonderfully scented massage oil.

1 tablespoon of *carrier* oil- this is ideally sweet almond oil (as it is the least allergenic) but you can also use olive, sunflower, evening primrose or other of your favourite oil- but cold pressed is best.
Up to 4 drops of essential oil, depending on type.
You can combine oils to create your own fragrance.

If you need a larger quantity, just multiply amounts.
And let your muscles and senses rejoice!
Keep refrigerated.
*** Always spot test first in case of an allergic reaction!


For treatment of many skin problems you can make a concoction basically as for massage oil and use it on problem areas. Check the best kind of carrier oil for your skin type.    Do not use on open wounds or seriously irritated skin.  Check with your doctor if these herbs will suit your skin and skin condition before using!  Always spot test first, and see a doctor if any serious skin problems remain for an extended period. 


Try these for the following skin uses:


Cleansing
Sweet Basil, juniper, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint.

Acne
Tea tree, Helichrysum, lavender, thyme, rose, geranium, grapefruit, sandalwood, mints, basil, chamomile, Cedarwood, Yarrow. 

Blackheads
Coriander, peppermint, lemongrass.

Dry Skin
Cedarwood, jasmine, geranium, lavender, orange, rose, Vetiver, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, carrot seed.

Large Pores
Myrtle, lemongrass, rose, cedarwood.

Firming Wrinkles
Carrot seed, fennel, geranium, patchouli, rose, Clary, rosewood, sages, cypress, lavender, Rose Hip Extract.

Cracked Skin
Patchouli, sandalwood, lavender.

Eczema
German Chamomile, Lavender, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Juniper, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Teatree, Yarrow, Ylangylang.

Itching
Jasmine, lavender, peppermint.

Chilblains
Cinnamon leaf, clove bud, ginger, lavender.