Preservatives & Shelf Life

Most of the recipes offered here have a shelf-life of 2-3 months if stored in a cool place. Did you know grapefruit seed extract could be used as a preservative for soaps and lotions? Recommended usage is .5 - 5% of the entire volume (in ounces) of your batch. 

Also, try Germaben II Lotion Preservative, by Magestic Mountain Sage 

Fruits & Veggies

Many fruits and vegetables can be applied directly to the face. A slice of tomato or cucumber can be used as a simple cleanser.
Use the list below as a general guide to using fruits and vegetables, either directly on your skin, or in a lotion or cream. 

Highly acidic
Use only on oily skin and use in moderation: 

Lemon*
Grapefruit*
Apples*
Strawberries*
Lime* 

Slightly more acidic than normal skin
Beneficial for most skin types: 

Peaches*
Apricots*
Tomatoes*
Grapes (not Concord)* 

Neutral
Beneficial for most skin types: 

Cucumber*
Bananas*
Watermelon*
Persimmon*
Pepper* 

Low acidity
Good for moisturizing dry skin: 

Carrots*
Cantaloupe*
Avocado*
Honeydew Melon*
Iceberg Lettuce* 

NOTE: Facial masks should be applied very gently to preserve the cusion of fatty tissue and avoid stretching the surface skin. 

Be sure to test a small area for skin sensitivity before using any mixture on your face. Dab a little on the inside of your wrist or the underside of your arm and wait a 24-48 hours to see if it causes a reaction, such as a rash. 

Mayonnaise?
Yes, simple mayonnaise contains many useful skin nutrients. Use your own recipe (but leave out the salt!), or buy a good salt-free mayonnaise and massage it into your skin as a night cream. 

Bran and Oatmeal
Bran and oatmeal both make great hand smoothers. To make bran water, add 1 cup of boiling water to 1/2 cup of natural bran and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the bran and leave small amount of bran water in a bowl by the kitchen sink (refrigerate the rest until you're ready to use it). Dip your hands into the water and dab them dry 3-4 times a day, especially after washing dishes. 

For an oatmeal wash, simmer one part of old-fashioned (non-instant) oatmeal in 2-3 parts water until the meal swells and is soft. Strain into a container and use like the bran water.

DESERT SANDS BATH SALT RECIPE 

5 drops yellow food coloring 
2 drops red food coloring 
4 drops musk oil 
3 drops Jasmine fragrant or essential oil 
3 cups epsom salts 
1 cup baking soda 
2 teaspoons glycerin 

Combine baking soda, epsom salt and glycerin until well blended, add scents stirring until there is no clumps just a fine powder. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 separate bowls. In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second add 3 drops red food coloring and in the 3rd bowl add 2 drops yellow with 1 drop red food coloring...stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors...red first, then orange then lastly yellow.


FIZZING BATH SALTS RECIPE

Use your imagination for molding. Anything from an egg cup to some creative kitchen tools will do the trick. Plastic molds from craft stores also work well.

1 cup baking soda 
1/2 cup corn starch 
1/2 cup citric acid [this is the fizzing part] 
Optional: 1 tablespoon cold pressed cosmetic Sweet Almond Oil * not almond cooking oil 
Optional: 15 to 25 drops of cosmetic grade fragrance oil [or 10 drops of essential oil] 
Optional: edible food colouring [liquid colouring drops or paste] 
Optional: water or witch hazel in a fine misting spray bottle 

In a bowl large enough to hold the first three ingredients plus enough room to mix and stir them, mix the baking soda and corn starch together. Take about a 1/2 a cup out of the bowl and place into another bowl. This is 1/2 cup of mixture, add your colouring, fragrance or essential oil and Sweet Almond Oil. Mash this mixture together well using either a spoon or your fingers. Add this mixture back into the main bowl and when thoroughly combined, add the citric acid into the main bowl. Thoroughly combine all ingredients either by hand or by stirring together with a spoon.

1] If you do not want to mold the bath salts, simply store the mix in an airtight container. Scoop out and use as needed.
2] To Mold the Bath Salts: Now comes the part that's a little bit tricky. Take your fine spray mister, filled with either water or witch hazel, and very lightly begin to mist and dampen the mixture by misting and stirring... misting and stirring. Dampen it only enough so that when you press some of the mixture together in your hand, it will clump and hold a shape. If you moisten the mixture too much, the citric acid will begin to activate, and *poof* no more bath fizzies... only a bowl of fizzed out bath salts.

When the mixture is dampened enough to hold a shape, press into the molds. Let these molds sit for a few minutes then tap the molded bath salts out onto to a wax paper covered board or cookie sheet. Allow the molds to dry and harden for about two days. Everyone finds their own best way to make these fizzing bath salt molds. Some people moisten first, then add in the citric acid. Others follow the above directions.


BATH SALTS 

2 c Epson salts
1 c Sea salt or kosher salt
6 dr Essential oil
1/2 ts Glycerine
Food coloring

Mix well in ziplock bag. Store airtight. 

Note: Add 2 T. rice flour to keep free flowing.


BASIC BATH SALTS RECIPE

1 cup Epsom salts
10-20 drops fragrance oil
1 cup sea salt
10 drops food coloring

Place the salts in a large bowl and mix well. Scoop out about 1/2 cup into a small bowl. Add the fragrance oil and food coloring to the salts in the small bowl and mix well. Add the blended mixture to the large bowl a little at a time until you are pleased with the color strength. Pour your salts in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake every day for one week before packaging.

To Use: Draw a warm bath and add 1/4 cup of the fragrant salts to the running water. Hop in and relax, inhaling deeply toexperience the soothing qualities of aromatherapy. 

Makes six to eight uses.


BATH SALTS W/BORAX 

Equal Parts of: seasalts, Epsom salts, borax, baking soda
Glycerin
Color (food coloring or any other colorant)
Scent

Mix first four ingredients thoroughly. You can mix it with your hands and then add 1 tsp. of glycerine per 1 lb. of mix (approx.). Rub this between your hands to mix and then add color (as much or little as you'd like). Then add a little scent - start out with a little at a time and then add more if you wish. Rub this all between your hands to mix. Use about a half cup in your bath. 


HARVEST BATH SALTS 
© Craft Magazine

1/2-Cup Rock Salt (the kind you use in your ice cream maker)
20 Drops Each Apple and Orange Fragrance Oil
1 Drop each Red, Green, Yellow and Blue

Separate salt into two bowls. Add 10 drops of each fragrance oil to each bowl. Separate the apple salt into two bowls and color one red and one green. Stirring color and fragrance thru the salt. Separate the orange scented salt into two bowls and color one yellow and one blue. Stir until well blended. You can put the salt in lidded containers and shake well (but not too hard) to distribute the color and fragrance. Spread the salt out on wax paper and allow to dry completely. Layer in a glass jar. More fragrances can be used if desired (for ex. use 4 instead of just 2). 


MIDNIGHT WISHES BATH SALTS 

3/4 c. epsom salts
1/4 c. sea salts
1/4 c. baking soda
5 drops patchouli oil
4 drops lavender oil
3 drops vanilla fragrance oil
2 drops cedarwood oil

Mix all ingredients and stir until blended. Use about 1/4 cup in a your bath. 


MORE SIMPLE BATH SALTS 

1/4 cup Epsom salt
1/8 cup baking soda
1/8 cup sea salt
10 drops essential oi

Mix all salts in a bowl thoroughly. Add five drops of essential oil and blend it in well then add five more drops and blend. Store in an airtight. To use, Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup to bath water.


MYSTICAL MORN BATH SALTS 

1 1/2 c. epsom salts
1 c. sea salts
1 c. sea salts
10 drops chamomile oil
8 drops orange oil

Mix all ingredients and stir until blended. Use about 1/4 cup in a your bath. 


RELAXING LAVENDER BATH SALTS

1 c. rock salt or sea salt
1/2 c. Epsom salt
2 T. baking soda
10 drops lavender oil
colorant

Blend all except baking soda. Blend soda after other ingredients are mixed. You can also add 1/2 tsp. of glycerin at this point to make the salts sparkle. Use 1/4 c. to 1/2 c. Per bath. 


SIMPLE BATH SALTS

1 part baking soda
2 parts Epsom salt
3 parts sea salt

Mix it all in a big bowl, then put in a large zip lock freezer bag along with a tiny amount of powdered pigment. Then I shake until the color is dispersed. It colors the salts wonderfully with no clumps. If you do live somewhere humid, mix in a little glycerin to help with the clumping. 


SUMMER ORCHARD BATH SALTS 

3/4 c. epsom salts
1/4 c. sea salts
1/4 c. baking soda
3 drops peach fragrance oil
3 drops bergamot oil
2 drops vanilla fragrance oil
1 drop lime oil

Mix all ingredients and stir until blended. Use about 1/4 cup in a your bath.  MIDNIGHT SPLENDER 
© Kitty Kat

1/2c.rock salt (optional)
1/2c.epsom salt
1/4c.sea salt
5 drops vanilla oil
4 drops lavender oil
3 drops cedarwood oil
15-20 drops of blue food coloring


SWEET ORANGE 

1c.epsom salts
1/4c.sea salts
10 drops of yellow food coloring
5 drops of red food coloring
10 drops of orange fragrance oil


BASIC BATH SALTS 

1 cup Epsom Salt
up to 15 drops color(we use soap colors)
5-10 drops FO of your choice

With a wooden spoon mix all ingredients together in a glass bowl. When well mixed pour into desired container. Please remember that pregnant women should not use this product unless it's been oked by your doctor. 


OLD FASHIONED FIZZY BATH SALTS 

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup citric acid
10-20 drops fragrance oil

Just mix the dry ingredients well, you may want to sift together. Scoop out about 1/2 cup of mixture to add color and fragrance. Blend well, then add back to entire mixture and mix til color and fragrance and thoroughly blended. The color in this will become somewhat darker as it dries. This mixture WILL go in plastic bags without seeping out. You can use anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup for a bath. Mixture "fizzes' as it hits the water and disperses MUCH quicker than bath salts.


INSTANT BATH SALTS 

1 cup salt 
1 cup epsom salt 
1 cup baking soda 

Add a little of the mixture to your tub for a revitalizing bath. For bubbles, just add 1 cup of shampoo. For a nice scent, add a few drops of
fragrance oil. 


EARTH BATH SALTS 

1/2 cup epsom salts 
1 cup baking soda 
1/2 cup rock salt 
1/2 tsp vitamin E 
2 tsp light oil (almond, sunflower...) 
20 drops Patchouli essential oil 
15 drops Cypress essentail oil 
5 drops Vetivert essential oil 
Green Food coloring 

Mix all salts & baking soda together. Then combine oil, essential oils, vitamin E & a few drops of coloring in a seperate bowl. Add liquid to
salts and mix thoroughly. You can add more green food colouring if desired, but I find it nicer when it's a very light green as it does not
look as artificial. To use: Add a few heaping tablespoons to bath.

BATH POWDER RECIPE 1: 

1/2 cup baking soda 
1/2 cup cornstarch 
Fragrance oil - optional 


BATH POWDER RECIPE 2:

1 cup arrowroot powder
1/4 tsp essential oil


BATH POWDER RECIPE 3:

1 cup powdered arrowroot
1 cup corn starch 
1/4 cup baking soda 


BATH POWDER RECIPE 4: 

1/2 cup cornstarch 
2 tbsp arrowroot powder
2 tbsp baking soda 
A few drops of essential oils of your preference

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Let stand a few days and then sift through a flour sifter. Pour into a powder shaker/container.


BABY POWDER 

2 tbsp crumbled dried chamomile flowers 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1 tbsp orrisroot 
1/2 tsp alum 

Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Sift and store in powder shaker. Use to keep baby's skin soft and dry.

The arrowroot powder can be used all by itself as a soothing body/bath powder, just add scent to suit your nose. 

The above quantities are provided as a guideline. Basically, you want to use equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch, adding about 20 drops of fragrance oil for each cup of the mixture. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together until thoroughly blended. If you're making large batches, you might want to cover your nose/mouth so you don't breath in too much of the powder. Then, if desired, add fragrance oil and stir until thoroughly blended. 

If you're using cornstarch, you'll probably want to sift it through a screen, to break up clumps and fluff it up. Push the mixture of oil/cornstarch through the screen and mix with the rest of the cornstarch powder. You may need to repeat the filtering process a few times. 

Let the whole mixture sit in a sealed jar overnight. This allows the scent to permeate the whole batch. Be sure to let dry before packaging.

BASIC COLD CREAM

This recipe gives you a basic cold cream/moisturizer, which you can add to as you like with scented oils. 

1 egg yolk, beaten 
2 tbsp lemon juice 
1/2 cup olive oil 
1/2 cup vegetable oil 

Combine egg yolk and lemon juice and stir with a wire whisk, gradually adding oils until mixture thickens. If it's too thick, add more lemon juice. 


ALL PURPOSE HAND CREAM 

3 tbsp mashed almonds 
2 tbsp comfrey root (dried) 
1 tbsp chopped parsley 
1 egg 
1 tbsp honey 
1 tbsp glycerin 

Mix almond meal, comfrey root and parsley in a small bowl and set aside. In another bowl, mix egg, honey and glycerin. Stir in 3 tbsp of the almond mixture. Rub the mixture gently into your hands, letting it penetrate for 20-30 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Refrigerate mixture between uses. 


CUTICLE CREAM 

3 tbsp paraffin 
1/2 cup mineral oil 
1 tbsp coconut oil 
1 tbsp glycerin 

Slowly heat paraffin with the oils in a double boiler. Stir until blended. Add in the glycerin and remove from heat. Let cool before using. 


CUCUMBER FACIAL MASK (CLEANS AND MOISTURIZES) 

1 tbsp instant nonfat dry milk 
1/2 peeled cucumber 
1 tsp plain yogurt 

Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to your face (avoid your eyes). Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off. Mix a fresh batch for each use. 


EGG FACIAL MASK (SMOOTHS AND MOISTURIZES) 

1 egg 
1/2 cup coconut oil 
1 tbsp honey 

Beat the egg in a small bowl. Add the coconut oil and honey slowly, beating until it's the consistency of mayonnaise. Spoon mixture into a toilet paper roll, sitting upright in a small bowl. Set in the freezer overnight. To use, peel away the top of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Keep the stick covered with plastic wrap and freeze between uses. 


HERBAL FACIAL MASK (CLEANS AND TIGHTENS PORES) 

1 tbsp honey 
1 egg 
1 tsp crumbled dried chamomile flowers 
1 tsp finely chopped fresh mint 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Let dry (10-15 minutes) and rinse off with warm water. 


LEMON MOISTURIZER 

1 beaten egg yolk 
1/2 cup olive oil 
1/2 cup vegetable oil 
2 tbsp lemon juice 

Combine egg yolk and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir with a wire whisk while adding both oils until the mixture thickens. If it's too thick, add more lemon juice. 


MAKEUP REMOVER AND MOISTURIZER 

1/2 cup paraffin 
1 cup mineral oil 
1/2 cup water 
2 tbsp alum 

Slowly heat paraffin with the oil in a double boiler. In a separate saucepan, heat the water until it simmers, then dissolve the alum in it. Let cool, then add to the warm mineral oil and paraffin mixture. As everything cools, the paraffin will rise to the top. Drain off the water. The residue is your makeup remover. 


PEPPERMINT LOTION 
Relieves itching

1/2 cup water 
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol 
3-4 drops peppermint oil 

Oil of eucalyputs or cade can be used in place of peppermint, if you prefer. Pour the water and alcohol into a bottle, then add the oil. Cap and shake well. Apply to your skin with a clean cloth. 


ROSEWATER SKIN LOTION
Rejuvinates and smooths your skin 

1 tbsp Rose water 
3 tbsp rose soluble 
2 cups water 
2 tbsp glycerin 
2 capsules vitamin E (800 IU's) 
1 tbsp honey 
1 tbsp coconut oil 
1 tbsp olive oil 

Break open capsules to remove vitamin E and combine with other ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. To use, apply to your skin with cotton balls. Refrigerate between uses. 


STRAWBERRY SKIN MOISTURIZER 

1 tbsp each: olive, coconut and vegetable oils 
2 tbsp mashed strawberries 
(Optional) 1-2 drops Vitamin E oil 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in the refrigerator in a covered jar between uses. 


ALMOND OIL WRINKLE CREAM
A rich moisturizer that boosts the water-holding capacity of your skin and helps plump out wrinkled areas

1 tbsp of an infusion of comfrey leaves OR 
1 tbsp of a decoction of comfrey roots
(See How to Make and Use Herb Preparations) 
1 tbsp lanolin 
2 tsp sweet almond oil 
2 tsp water 
2 tsp cod liver oil 

Melt lanolin and almond oil in a double boiler. Add water and allow to cool. Mix in cod liver oil and comfrey. Apply gently to face and rinse
off after 5-10 minutes.