Ever since I heard that “Oil of Olay” may use animal testing, i decided to stop using store bought facial cream. Luckily, at about the same time i discovered Rosemary Gladstar’s recipe for natural lotion. I then adapted that recipe to create the lotion my customers know and love: Everywhere Cream. I love Everywhere Cream, but i also like to use a beauty serum just before bed that is concentrated of pure oil and essential oil, without the water and beeswax that makes E.C. so great for daily wear. You can make the same serum easily, and can substitute your favorite essential oils, depending on your skin’s needs.
Simple Beauty Serum
- 1 part jojoba or sweet almond oil
- 3 parts hempseed oil
- several drops essential oil of your choice (peppermint, lavender, patchouli, helichrysum)
- several drops calendula oil (oil infused with calendula petals)
Jojoba closely matches our skin’s natural oils, which makes it the perfect choice for a facial moisturizer. It also has a very long shelf life, which makes it a great choice for a “a little goes a long way” type beauty product. You’ll have this serum on your shelf for a long time, and you don’t want it to spoil. Unfortunately, jojoba is becoming endangered/ near extinct, so i try to limit my use of this precious oil. Sweet Almond oil is also very gentle and non-irritating to facial skin. It is much less “oily” than thicker oils like olive and shouldn’t cause breakouts. Hempseed oil is my favorite oil for mature or sensitive skin. It helps to smoothe out wrinkles and scars, and is great for all skin types. I choose peppermint and lemongrass essential oils: peppermint is good for puffy skin and lemongrass is great for reducing pores. Don’t use too much of either though, as both are a bit volatile and can sting.
I also like to add a few drops of calendula oil that i purchase from Herb Pharm. You could also infuse your own, but i like to purchase theirs and not risk getting my oil moldy from petals that may not be dry enough. Combine all ingredients in a small vial and massage a few drops into your face before bed every night, focusing on your ‘trouble spots.’ I think you’ll notice happier (and less wrinkley) looking skin within several weeks!
Do you moisturize your face before bed? What do you use?
