I am a simple woman with simple needs and desires. - pixelhuntersam
The skin care industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. When you walk into the store to look for something as simple as face moisturizing cream, you are faced with hundreds of options. Each claims specific (and amazing) results, from reducing wrinkles to sun protection and lightening dark areas.
Some are affordable some are ridiculously expensive. Things get even more complicated when you begin reading about the ingredients included in some of these miracle creams. Unless you hold a doctorate in chemistry, you probably don't know what 90% of the ingredients are. Most people don't care, something the beauty industry counts on. On the other hand, I tend to pay attention.
Most people don't realize that the skin is rather absorbent. Whatever chemicals you place on it can end up in your body's systems as a whole. And Has the long-term effects of that fancy new anti-ageing molecule been studied? Some ingredients that are known to be linked to cancer, such as parabens, are still very common in many products.
But I digress.
As I said at the start, I am a simple woman with simple needs and desires. All I want is something to support my skin's health. Now that I am getting older, my skin does not produce as much oil as it used to. I had very oily skin when I was younger. Now I notice dry areas, especially during drier seasons, such as winter. Dry skin can weaken your skin's ability to act as a protective barrier for your body. Microorganisms can get in and cause pimples or worse. Dry skin can also be itchy or flaky. None of those is a fun time.
So to support my facial skin's health, I needed something that would help keep it moisturized. I wanted it to be simple but effective. And I wasn't willing to pay a fortune. Thus my recipe for skin moisturizer was born.
Ingredients
- 35 - 45 ml Baby Aqueous Cream
- 5 drops Almond Oil
- 2-3 Peppermint Oil
- 2 - 3 Tea Tree Oil
- 1 teaspoon of water
This is per small 50 ml tub of facial cream
WARNING: Applying any essential oil directly to your skin is not recommended. In addition, each person's skin may react differently to different essential oils. Patch testing is always recommended when trying out any new products on your skin to check that you do not have an adverse reaction. If you are pregnant or on chronic medication, please check with your healthcare professional before using essential oils.
I recommend always testing and doing the research before making use of anything.
Baby Aqueous Cream
Baby products tend to be the safest bet when it comes to avoiding unwanted ingredients such as parabens and fragrances. Certain fragrances added to creams and cosmetics can irritate my skin badly. As always, check the ingredient list to be sure. Do your research.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is an amazing moisturizer. There are several other benefits that people claim almond oil provides. For me, I included it mainly for the moisturizing factor. If you have any kind of nut allergy, steer clear!
For some more info on Almond Oil: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/almond-oil-for-skin
Peppermint Oil
While peppermint oil does have some anti-microbial properties, I have to openly admit, the main reason I add this particular oil is because I absolutely love the smell. It does also have some anti-itch properties, which is useful if you have any flakey or itchy areas on your face. It helps soothe any itchy scabs you may have as well.
For some more info on Peppermint Oil: https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-peppermint-oil
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has strong anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. This is the main reason I include it in my mix as I am prone to getting pimples. Yes, even at my age, I still get zits like some hormonal teenager. This tends to happen especially around my period. I have found that tea tree oil in my moisturizer definitely helps to control and limit these unfortunate breakouts.
For some more info on Tea Tree Oil: https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-tree-oil-for-skin
Sterilization
Always, always, always work as sterile as possible. Sterilize the jars and spoons you plan on using in boiling water. Wash your hands before doing this. Make sure the surface you are working on is clean. You do not want any microbes getting into your moisturizer.
Mixing
Being the frugal and environmentally aware creature I am, I reuse two jars when creating my moisturizer batches. These are glass commercial face cream jars that I finished the product for a few years back. I never create more than two jars of moisturizer at a time. This is so that if there is accidental contamination in my mix, I do not end up having to discard a lot of product.
I have not yet had any contamination incidents, but better to err on the side of caution. That said, if your moisturizer looks weird or smells off, or has something growing in it, be smart, and throw that batch out.
I start by spooning some of the Baby Aqueous Cream into the jar. I never fill the jar completely as I need some room for mixing and stirring. Essential oil bottles dispense oils a drop at a time, so adding the oils is straightforward.
Mix thoroughly. You don't want to encounter a pocket of essential oils later on. You want all the ingredients to be distributed evenly. You may find the mix very thick. This is why I usually add a teaspoon of water to thin the cream down a little. This will make it easier to spread on your face.
You can add more or less water depending on your preferences. Either way, be sure to mix the water thoroughly as well. I recommend starting with a teaspoon and mixing completely before deciding if you would like to thin the consistency further by adding more. You don't want the cream too runny after all.
Use
I apply this once a day after my shower, usually at night, a few hours before I go to bed. Two jars last me around three months. I don't find it necessary to use a lot of the mix at once.
I didn't get the exact ratios of the mix to my liking on the first few attempts I did. It may take a bit of experimentation to see what works best for your skin if you mix your own moisturizer. Which is not unlike trying various store-bought products to see what works well with your skin.
Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or skincare expert. I am merely sharing what works for me. Each person is an individual and thus has different needs and desires. Find what works for you. Try to make wise decisions.
Thanks!
As always, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my ramblings.
Credits:
Canva for helping me make my photos passable.
