3 Fall Moisturizers You Can Make in Your Kitchen
Coco Butter Moisturizer (Photo: William Reavell)
If you want something done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself.
For meticulous beauty label readers who want to know exactly what’s in the products that touch their skin, there’s a certain satisfaction in breaking out your double boiler and cooking it up on your own once in a while. (And there’s no chance of anything ugly lurking under gorgeous packaging!)
Related: How to be a better reader of beauty labels
Of course, mixing up a good moisturizer yourself does take a little bit of guidance. Luckily, the awesome Neal’s Yard Natural Beauty, a new book from the clean UK beauty brand, is here to help with that.
Here are three fall moisturizers that can be concocted in your kitchen. (Do try this at home!)
Beauty Balm — For all skin types
Makes 3.5 ounces
1 Tbsp argan oil
2 Tbsp rosehip seed oil
2 Tbsp shea nut butter
1 Tbsp beeswax
5 drops cypress essential oil
5 drops frankincense essential oil
5 drops bergamot essential oil
1. Heat the oils, butter and beeswax together in a bain-marie (double boiler) until the wax has melted. Remove from the heat.
2. Add the essential oils and pour into a sterilized jar. Allow to cool for 1–2 hours, before using or applying the lid. Store in a cool, dark place. Keeps for up to three months.
How to apply
Massage into the skin with circular movements. Leave on for an ultra-rich protective moisturizer or use a cleanser and remove with a damp muslin cloth or flannel, to polish away dead skin cells.
Related: Should you go on a makeup fast?
Cocoa Butter Moisturizer — For combination/dry skin
Makes 3.5 ounces
2 tsp cocoa butter
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp beeswax
2 Tbsp mineral water
1 Tbsp emulsifying wax
1 tsp glycerin
1. Place the cocoa butter, almond oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax in a glass bowl. Heat together in a bain-marie and remove from heat once the wax has melted.
2. Using a thermometer, heat the mineral water in a saucepan to 175 degrees. Add the emulsifying wax and glycerin, and stir until the wax is fully dissolved. You may need to re-heat the water if it has not dissolved completely.
3. Add the hot oil mixture to the hot water mixture and, using a hand-held whisk or stick blender, whisk continuously until smooth. Continue to mix occasionally while the mixture cools.
4. Once the mixture is smooth, pour into a sterilized jar and leave to cool for one hour. Once cool, either use the moisturizer or put the lid on. Store in the fridge. Keeps up to six weeks.
Related: The 10 skin commandments facialists sweat by
How to apply
Generously apply to the face and body, paying particular attention to dry patches. Massage into the face and neck with upward-sweeping movements, avoiding the delicate eye area.
Frankincense Day Cream — For mature skin
Makes 3.5 ounces
1 Tbsp cocoa butter
1 tsp argan oil
1 tsp beeswax
4 Tbsp mineral water
1 Tbsp emulsifying wax
5 drops frankincense essential oil
3 drops myrrh essential oil
1. Create an emulsion by melting the butter, oil and beeswax together in a bain-marie.
2. Heat the mineral water to 175 degrees. Add the emulsifying wax and stir until the wax is fully dissolved.
3. Add the hot oil mixture to the hot water mixture. Using a hand-held whisk or a stick blender, whisk continuously until smooth.
4. Continue to stir occasionally as the mixture cools. Add the essential oils and mix well. Pour into a sterilized jar and leave to cool for one hour. Once cool, either use the moisturizer or put the lid on. Store in the fridge. Keeps up to six weeks.
How to apply
Apply daily to clean, dry skin in an upward-circular motion, avoiding the eye area.
More from Well+Good:
14 beauty uses for coconut oil
Beauty Recipe: A toning, calming, and redness-busting face mist
