Thursday, February 25, 2016

Creating Herbal Facial Oils - Part 1

Greetings To All My Healthy Lifestyle Readers!  And . . . balmy winter salutations from the unusually warm state of Maine!  With all of the wide temperature swings this season, my skin doesn't quite seem to know how to behave.  Are you having the same problem?  The entire U.S. is experiencing weird weather this winter!  Normally, the brutally cold, winter climate up here is rather arid  . . . especially when combined with the forced hot air heat in my home, making my skin become easily dehydrated, thus I follow my standard rehydrating skincare routine of gently cleansing, followed by spritzing with lavender hydrosol, then applying one of my favorite creams.  But, this year, well . . . Mother Nature has reached into her bag of tricks and isn't playing nice.  So . . . I've had to figure out what to do to.  One day it's warmish and humid then the next it's snowy and 8 degrees for the high.  My skin has become over-reactive and sensitive.  Long story short . . . I've had much success at calming my fickle skin by consistently using one of my favorite herbal facial oil (aka elixirs) recipes from my Organic Body Care Recipes book Evening Luxe Elixir (you can find it below or on page 206 of my book).

Over the next several blogs, I'll share a handful of facial oil recipes with you that I've found beneficial for my skin . . . Facial oils that I alternate as the seasons and my stress levels change.  I'm sure you'll find one or more than can help your skin blossom radiantly, as well.

Evening Luxe Elixir

This elixir is designed for all skin types in need of light pampering and balancing.  Hazelnut and jojoba base oils are compatible with human skin and will leave no oily residue.  It softens, moisturizes, heals, rejuvenates, and tones the skin and speeds cell regeneration.  Each of the essential oils has a calming, sedative effect on the psyche and body.  Applying this just before bedtime can help lull you into restorative sleep.

Ingredients

- 8 drops neroli essential oil
- 4 drops frankincense essential oil (CO2 extract)
- 4 drops rose otto (or rose maroc absolute) essential oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut base oil
- 1 tablespoon jojoba base oil


Recommended For:  All skin types - including oily and acneic

Use:  1 time per day, preferably right before bedtime

Prep Time:   Approximately 15 minutes, plus 24 hours to synergize


Blending Tools:  Shake storage bottle before each use

Store In:  Dark glass bottle with glass dropper top

Yield:  2 tablespoons or 1 oz.

Directions:  Add the essential oils, drop-by-drop, directly into a 1-ounce storage bottle.  Next, add the base oils.  Screw on the dropper top, wrap your hand around the bottle, and shake the formula vigorously for 2 minutes to completely blend all ingredients and gently warm them to body temperature.

Set bottle in a dark location that's between 60 and 80 degrees F for 24 hours so that the oils can synergize.  No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and potency, please use within 6 months.  

Application Tips:  Ideally, immediately before bedtime and after cleansing your face, apply the appropriate toner, astringent, or hydrosol.  While skin is still damp, lightly massage 5 to 10 drops of elixir into skin, beginning with the decollete, throat, then face, using upward, outward, and circular strokes.  Wait five minutes before applying additional moisturizer, if desired.


NOTE:  This blog contains material excerpted from Stephanie Tourles' best-selling book, "Organic Body Care Recipes" (c2007, Storey Publishing), that has been reprinted with permission.  The information is true and complete to the best of Ms. Tourles' knowledge.  All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles or Storey Publishing.  They disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only.