essential

Facial Moisturizing Serum

I put 2-3 drops of this on after I use astringent on my face in the morning and evening. It is the only facial moisturizer I use.

2 T jojoba oil
10 drops geranium essential oil
6 drops cedarwood essential oil
6 drops cypress essential oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops melaleuca essential oil

Geranium = wrinkle reducer and acne/infection fighter
Cedarwood = regularizes oil production (pregnant women should not use)
Cypress = tightens looses skin
Lavender = inhibits bacteria and regulates oil production
Melaleuca = kills bacteria, fights acne

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

I tried homemade powdered laundry soap, but unless I always washed in very hot water, I often found powder residue on my clothes, especially dress pants for some reason. I much prefer this liquid soap.

Ingredients:

10 cups very warm water
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
3/4 cup liquid Castile soap (I use citrus and omit the essential oil)
at least 1 tablespoon of essential oil (or use pre-scented Castile soap)

Directions:

Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the warm water — it talks a few minutes. I stirred it around with my hand until I couldn’t feel any salt in the bottom of the container.

Add the liquid Castile. Stir. Pour into a recycled laundry detergent container. This is the perfect amount for a 100 oz liquid detergent bottle.

Use 1/4 of a cup per load. Shake before each use.

Essential Oil Cough Stopper

I’ve found this to be more effective than commercial cough rubs.

Ingredients:

7 T coconut oil
1 T olive oil
10 drops tea tree (melaleuca) essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

In a small pan, melt the coconut oil and olive oil.
Stir until melted.
Add the essential oils and stir to combine.
Let solidify.
Rub on chest to relieve cough.

Natural Facial Care Routine

I have seen some dramatic changes in the health and condition of my face since I began this twice daily, 3-step routine. Every morning and evening I clean my face using the oil cleansing method, use apple cider vinegar toner, and jojoba oil moisturizer.

I use Coconut Oil for oil cleansing.

I mix my apple cider vinegar as a 3-1 solution with water (3 parts water, 1 part vinegar) because my skin is sensitive. Toner recipe is here.

To moisturize I mix 8 drops geranium essential oil, 4 drops lavender essential oil, and 4 drops tea tree essential oil into 4 oz jojoba oil. It only takes a SMALL amount of this mix to moisturize the face.

Body Cream for Extremely Dry Skin

Cocoa Butter is the best thing for my very dry winter skin. Raw cocoa butter (which I found in 1 oz tubes at Dollar General for $1.50) isn’t very creamy, though, so I like to blend it with some other things.

Ingredients

3 oz cocoa butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2 t vitamin E oil
5 drops white fir essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

Combine ingredients in a glass jar.
Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water and place over medium heat.
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into another jar for storage.

Natural Immune Boosting Balm

Use this lotion on the feet or chest to help naturally boost the immune system. Clove, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus oils are all believed to have immune stimulating properties.

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
5 drops clove essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Directions

Combine ingredients in a glass jar.
Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water and place over medium heat.
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into another jar for storage.

Natural Hair Conditioner

This conditioner works well, but needs to but stored in a bottle with a squirt top because it is liquid. It won’t make your hair smell like vinegar!

Ingredients

1 T raw apple cider vinegar
1 T honey
1 cup water
3 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Directions

Shake the bottle before each use and gently massage into the hair and scalp for a minute or two. Rinse.

Natural Shampoo and Body Wash

I’ve started making a lot of my own home and personal care products. The recipe works both as a shampoo and a body wash. Needs to be made in small batches because some of the ingredients are perishable.

Ingredients

3/4 C liquid castile soap
1/4 C olive oil
1/8 C honey
10 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and pour into resealable container.