beauty recipe Archives - Soap Deli News

Lip Gloss Recipe with a Pop of Color for Fresh Summer Looks

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April 18, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Learn how to make this natural lip gloss recipe for a fresh fun way to add a pop of color to your summer look. Tinted with shimmering mica pigment powder, this homemade lip gloss recipe looks stunning solo or over your favorite lipstick. Scent yours with natural essential oils or add some fun with a jelly donut or watermelon flavor oil.

A few months back I fell in love with some scrapbooking embellishment stickers. They were shaped like donuts and covered with glitter. I bought them at the time thinking they’d be super cute for handmade soap gifts. I was planning to wrap ribbon around the soap and then accent the ribbons with donuts. While I still think that’s a great idea, I love the way the stickers looked on little lip balm jars and tins. So I decided to make a donut inspired lip gloss recipe to add to my list of donut skin care recipes.

Ingredients Used In Natural Lip Gloss

Unlike my homemade lip balm recipes, my natural lip gloss recipe combines two waxes to give lips shine. While castor oil is commonly used for this purpose, I found that the combination of candelilla wax and cera bellina wax worked even better. I love that this lip gloss isn’t sticky like some store brand lip glosses. And the punch of color makes this tinted lip gloss look great whether it’s layered over lipstick or worn solo.

Properties of Candelilla Wax

Candelilla wax is a unique odorless plant wax with a high melt point. It’s harvested from the leaves of candelilla shrubs that are native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. As this wax is extremely hard and brittle, it’s commonly sold as flakes or micro-beads. When mixed with other waxes, it hardens the formulation it’s incorporated into without raising the melting point. Often used in the cosmetics industry for skin care products and lip balms, candelilla wax is also used as a binder in chewing gum. When refined, candelilla wax can reach high levels of brilliance which add to shine when used in lip gloss formulations.

Properties of Cera Bellina Wax

Cera Bellina wax is a hydrophilic derivative of beeswax. It differs from regular beeswax in that it has excellent oil gelling properties. Adding cera bellina wax to lip balms, lotion bars or and emulsion will give the product a smooth, luxurious texture. It’s also a great wax to gel oils or butters with a low wax concentration as a small percentage of the recipe. Because cera bellina’s ability to prevent the crystallization of oils, it also works great as a second emulsifier or thickener in lotion formulations as well as natural beauty serums.

Benefits of Cupuacu Butter

Cupuacu butter is wonderful at hydrating skin and hair, making it a wonderful choice for a moisturizing lip gloss recipe. This natural Brazilian butter can be used solo, or incorporated with other ingredients, for a richly moisturizing lip balm. But don’t stop there. Because cupuacu butter is a humectant, similarly to honey, it is able to attract up to 240% more water. This makes this natural beauty butter especially beneficial to dry skin or chapped lips.

Benefits of Acai Berry Oil

Another natural skin care product from the Brazilian Amazon forest, acai berry oil is a luxe carrier oil that is rich in essential fatty acids. A powerful antioxidant with natural emollient properties, acai berry oil offers a number of benefits when used in skin care formulations. Not only is this carrier oil highly moisturizing, it can also help restore skin elasticity and promote healing of dry, chapped and cracked skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and has been found to help alleviate symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In addition, this oil possesses anti-aging skin care properties. Plus it won’t clog pores!

Ready to get started on my tinted lip gloss recipe? You’ll find the recipe and directions to make it below.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe

Ingredients:

.5 oz. roasted cocoa butter (Learn more.)
.5 oz. cupuacu butter
.3 oz. candelilla wax
.3 oz. acai berry oil
1.2 oz. sweet almond oil, or other carrier oil of choice
.5 oz. lip safe coral mica powder
.1 oz. cera bellina wax
flavor oil or essential oil blend, of choice

Essential oil blend:

20 drops blood orange essential oil
12 drops amyris essential oil (Learn more.)
8 drops tea tree oil

Lip gloss flavor oil:

.03 – .1 oz. jelly donut flavor oil

Lip Gloss Recipe Instructions:

I recommend using the double boiler method when making my tinted lip gloss recipe. However, you can also use a microwave if desired at 20%-30% power.

Start by weighing out the roasted cocoa butter, cupuacu butter, cera bellina wax and candelilla wax. Combine in a heat safe container and gently heat until all the ingredients have melted.

Once the butters and waxes have melted, remove from heat. Then weigh out the the acai berry oil and stir into the lip gloss mixture.

Now add the essential oils or your choice of flavor oil to suit. Mix well to combine. (It’s important to note that some flavor oils recommend different usage rates so be sure to check with the manufacturer. They can tell you the recommended percentage of flavor oil to use. I’ve provided a range of 1-3% in the above lip gloss recipe.)

Next, weigh out the lip safe mica pigment powder. Stir the mica into the mixture until it is evenly distributed throughout the lip gloss. It should be uniform in color and completely smooth with no clumps.

Now pour your tinted lip gloss into containers of your choice. I used a combination of 1/2 oz. white polypropylene double wall radius jars and 1 oz. metal tins with rolled edge covers. (My natural lip gloss recipe makes approximately five 1 oz. lip glosses.)

If desired, you can then decorate your homemade lip gloss containers for personal use or to give as handmade gifts.

Prefer to use tube lip gloss containers? You can use squeeze tube lip gloss containers as well as clear lip gloss tubes with applicators. Simply use half the amount of candelilla wax called for in my homemade lip gloss recipe.

Experiment with lip gloss recipe flavors & colors.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with my tinted lip gloss recipe! Not only can you mix up the flavor or scent by changing out flavor or essential oils, you can also adjust the shade of your lip gloss as well as the color. For a sheer tint try cutting the amount of mica powder in half. For a richer, more intense lip color, double the amount of mica. And, of course, don’t be afraid to try other lip safe mica powders with this lip gloss recipe.

Learn more about essential oils.

Want to explore essential oils in correlation with beauty and skin care recipes in an easy all-in-kit? Check out the essential oil recipe box from Simply Earth. Each box makes it easy to get started with essential oils and includes simple essential oil recipes and ingredients for home, health and beauty. Order your first essential oil recipe box and get a free bonus supply box with code: SOAPDELIFREE You’ll also receive a $40 discount on your second box.

More Donut Skin Care Recipes

If you like my tinted lip gloss recipe, then be sure to try these other fun donut beauty and skin care recipes. Learn how to make homemade donut soap for DIY gifts as well as exfoliating solid salt scrub bars.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe with a Pop of Color for Fresh Summer Looks. Learn how to make this natural lip gloss recipe for a fresh fun way to add a pop of color to your summer look. Tinted with shimmering mica pigment powder, this homemade lip gloss recipe looks stunning solo or over your favorite lipstick. Scent yours with natural essential oils or add some fun with a jelly donut or watermelon flavor oil.

Repin it here.

If you like my tinted lip gloss recipe, be sure to save it to your Pinterest boards. In the meantime, you can also keep up with all my newest bath and beauty recipes by following me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and beauty, beauty diy, beauty recipe, cosmetics, gift idea, green beauty, lip balm recipe, lip gloss, lip gloss recipe, lipstick, lipstick recipe, makeup, mineral makeup, natural beauty, stocking stuffers, summer, summer skin care, tinted lip balm

Mineral Bronzing Body Butter Recipe for a Sun Kissed Summer Look

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 15, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

Learn how to make a body highlighting bronzer for your summer beauty regimen with this homemade mineral bronzing body butter recipe. With as few as 4-ingredients you can add a sun kissed look to your summer skin. Experiment with mica pigment powders, coffee oil and bacuri butter for a beautiful summer beauty product that’s easy to customize. (I swear, you are going to LOVE this beauty DIY!)

Get That Sun Kissed Glow Without the Sun

I grew up in the 80’s. So during summers, from around age fourteen through much of high school, I tried hopelessly to tan. Whether I was drowning myself in Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil while laying out, or hitting the tanning bed, I did everything I could to try to achieve the perfect tan.

This was of course, in addition to a futile attempt to go blonde. I was all about using Sun In to try to get that bleached blonde look without actually having to buy hair color. (Being fourteen at the time, I obviously didn’t have money of my own.) Of course, the use of Sun In turned my hair orange, seeing as how I have red undertones from my mother’s side. Somehow that didn’t seem to stop me though.

Unfortunately, my mostly Irish and English ancestors ensured I never reached my tanning goals. So I piled chemical based sunless tanners on top of my often sunburned skin. This ultimately left my skin matching my hair. It gave my skin an unnatural orange tint that was common among my other pale skinned comrades trying to look like magazine cover models.

Since then I’ve learned to love my ~~translucent see through~~ pale skin. However, adding a touch of natural looking, non-permanent color is a easy way to give your skin a sun kissed look when the seasons change. It’s also great for covering up a farmer’s tan.

Greg, as he often works outside, never actually got rid of his farmer’s tan this winter. So I actually tested my mineral bronzing body butter recipe his skin in addition to my own. It worked like a charm at disguising the change in skin tone so his “guns” – which is wear he told me to put it (I swear.) – matched the color of the rest of his arms. He was EXTRA happy, however, that my bronzing body butter washed off, rather than fading into a blotchy mess like the sunless tanner I used on him last year.

About My Mineral Bronzing Body Butter

There a few things that I really love about my natural bronzing body butter recipe. The first is that it’s so easy to make. Therefore it won’t matter if you’re just a beginner dabbling in making your own homemade beauty products. This recipe would be really hard to mess up. (Just keep in mind that substitutions can impact the final outcome of this product, much like any other natural skin care recipe. For example using unrefined shea butter when the recipe calls for refined shea butter does matter as unrefined shea butter has a lower melting point than the refined version.)

Secondly, it blends well with all skin tones. It’s also easily customized by adding more (or less) mica or by mixing up the mica colors in the recipe. However, if you want a completely natural product (or zero shimmer) you don’t even have to use mica powder in my bronzing body butter recipe at all.

Third, as I used bacuri butter in my body highlighting bronzer for color in addition to the coffee oil, it’s easier to achieve a deeper color brown as the base. This also means it absorbs more quickly than many other body butter recipes. Additionally, there’s no greasy after feel and it’s suitable for all skin types – even if you’re prone to body acne.

Natural Bronzing Body Butter Recipe

Get that summer kissed look this spring with this homemade coffee bronzing body butter recipe.

Ingredients:

2 oz. unrefined bacuri butter
1 oz. coffee seed oil
.8 oz. polawax emulsifying wax
1/4 teaspoon copper sparkle mica
1 teaspoon (.05 oz.) copper lip safe mica

Bronzing Body Butter Recipe Notes:

In order to ensure you can exactly duplicate my mineral bronzing body butter recipe, I’ve linked the ingredient list to the very same products I used. Unfortunately the copper lip safe mica is no longer available. (Which I wasn’t aware of until I after I created my bronzing body butter recipe.) However you can substitute this mica was another regular copper mica of your choice. Alternately, using 1 1/2 teaspoons of copper sparkle mica (and omitting the regular copper mica) will give this product extra highlighting power. Or experiment a bit of brown oxide pigment powder for a deeper matte color.

You may also note that I used a polawax emulsifying wax in place of where beeswax would typically be called for in a recipe. While my bronzing body butter recipe does not contain water, the emulsifying wax helps with absorption rates and keeps the final product from feeling heavy. Things you really don’t want when the summer heat is on. If you prefer, however, you can substitute this wax with a basic emulsifying wax. (This is the one I typically use.)

I recommend using the double boiler method for making my mineral highlighting bronzing body butter recipe. However, you can get away with using the microwave at 20% power. In addition, you’ll also need a digital scale to weigh out the ingredients.

This product has natural earthy coffee scent from a combination of the bacuri butter and coffee oil. If you find the fragrance of my bronzing body butter recipe is too earthy for your taste, you can add a bit of chocolate absolute to the recipe. I mean, who doesn’t love the scent of coffee and chocolate, right?

Instructions:

Begin by weighing out the bacuri butter, wax and coffee seed oil. Combine in a heat safe container and gently heat until all of the wax has melted. Remove from heat and stir to combine.

Next, weigh (and/or measure) out the mica powder called for in my bronzing body butter recipe. Set aside. Allow the body butter mixture to cool slightly.

When it just starts to cool and thicken, but is still fluid, mix in the mica powders. Mix thoroughly to combine, then pour into containers of your choice. I used two 1 oz. white polypropylene thick wall plastic jars.

Allow to cool completely. Once solidified, screw on the jar lids.To use your homemade bronzing body butter, simply massage onto skin as desired.

As this product may stain light colored clothing, allow your body butter to absorb completely before getting dressed. You can also lightly apply a setting powder over the application using a soft brush if desired.

This product is suitable for both your body and face. However, avoid applying your bronzing body butter to lips and/or eyes if not using a lip safe mica powder or pigment.

More Ways to Use Bacuri Butter for Skin Care

If you love my mineral highlighting bronzing body butter recipe as much as I do, then I encourage you to also try my other bacuri butter recipes. This natural Brazilian beauty butter is a delightful treat for skin and possesses both anti-acne and anti-aging properties when used in skin care applications. A rich moisturizer with a deep earthy scent, bacuri butter is one of my favorite body butters, right up there with shea and cocoa butter.

Don’t forget to pin this mineral highlighter bronzing body butter recipe to your Pinterest boards to save for later. (You can also discover my favorite bath & beauty finds on Pinterest here.)

Mineral Highlighter Bronzing Body Butter Recipe for a Sun Kissed Summer Look. Learn how to make a body highlighting bronzer for your summer beauty regimen with this homemade mineral bronzing body butter recipe. With as few as 4-ingredients you can add a sun kissed look to your summer skin. Experiment with mica pigment powders, coffee oil and bacuri butter for a beautiful summer beauty product that's easy to customize. (I swear, you are going to LOVE this beauty DIY!)

Repin it here.

Discover more summer beauty recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. Follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes Tagged With: bacuri butter, beauty balm, beauty diy, beauty highlighter, beauty recipe, body butter recipe, bronzing body butter, cosmetics, highlighting bronzer, makeup, makeup bronzer, mineral makeup, natural skin care, spring, summer, summer skin care, sunless tanner

Simple Essential Oil Recipes for Home, Health & Beauty

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

January 10, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Creating simple essential oil recipes for your home, health and beauty is easier than you think. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Keep reading to discover how you can get started making your own products at an affordable price with no special equipment to buy!

There’s a universal truth about soapmaking. And it’s not really one we’re aware of until we actually devote ourselves to becoming soapmakers head on. It’s not a cheap hobby. In fact, getting started can require a pretty hefty investment. Throw in beauty and skin care recipes and you accidentally blew your entire grocery budget for the month. Even those DIY kits from soapmaking suppliers can run on the high side. I’ve seen a few that were over $100. And they only make a single recipe. Add essential oils to the mix and it can get expensive AF pretty quickly.

So why can’t there be an affordable way to explore multiple arenas of making simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty?

There is. It’s called Simply Earth.

What is Simply Earth?

Simply Earth is exactly what its name implies. Simple, plant based ingredients for crafting simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. A monthly essential oil subscription box, Simply Earth provides you with everything you need to make simple essential oil recipes when you join. From the packaging and containers – like roller balls and lip balm tubes – to ingredients and recipe cards. There are even stickers for your finished products!

If I were ever to do an unboxing video, Simply Earth would be the box I’d start with. My lack of patience for such things aside, the monthly essential oil boxes from Simply Earth are, well, simply stunning. Beautifully packaged for both presentation and care, Simply Earth is everything one can hope for in a DIY essential oil box. In fact, the very first time I learned about Simply Earth, I knew I had to get one for myself!

And here we are.

What makes Simply Earth so amazing?

I received the January box from Simply Earth and can’t say enough great things about it. What makes it so amazing? Well, I’ll tell you.

1. It saves space.

If you’ve ever purchased materials in bulk for a project you know how much space they can take up. Living in a tiny *almost* studio sized apartment, I understand how important it is to save on space. So if you end up with a massive amount of containers and ingredients for a project you only plan to make once, it’s a challenge to find room for the leftover supplies. With Simply Earth you get all the materials you need in a SINGLE box for multiple recipes. There are still ingredients like essential oils, carrier oils and even beeswax leftover to use in future essential oil recipes. However, they aren’t going to take up three shelves in your cabinet.

2. You save money.

As previously mentioned, getting started with essential oils as well making natural home, health and beauty recipes can be costly. With Simply Earth, your up front costs are minimal. And with each new monthly essential oil box, you can make multiple new projects. All for an affordable price that fits most budgets. So creating your own simple essential oil recipes is fun, affordable and easy. It also makes it easy to grow your essential oil collection over time. Plus, all of the essential oils from Simply Earth have been tested and proven pure. So you know you’re getting a quality product.

3. You don’t need to buy any special equipment.

Most of my own natural beauty and skin care recipes require you purchase a digital scale for weighing out ingredients. Or you may need a special mold. However, if you aren’t a serious soapmaker, or just want a basic introduction to new ingredients, Simply Earth gives you just that. Everything you need to get started with no special equipment to buy. Plus there are six, brand new simple essential oil recipes to make each month.

4. It makes learning accessible.

Most of us have busy lives. And while we love learning new things, sometimes starting a new hobby or project can seem overwhelming – as well as time consuming. The essential oil boxes from Simply Earth introduce you to new essential oils slowly over time. So it’s easy to build on your knowledge and learn about the health and beauty benefits of essential oils. Plus, each of the simple essential oil recipes found in Simply Earth boxes can be made in around ten minutes or less. This allows you to take time out for self care while also creating something new that fits perfectly into your healthy lifestyle.

5. There are lots of recipes to get you started.

Want to make something new? Simply visit the Simply Earth website for a wide range of simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. The Simply Earth blog offers simple essential oil recipes on how to make bath bombs, essential oil diffuser blends, body butter, sugar scrubs, face masks, candles, cold support chest rubs, natural germ cleaners, essential oil fruit & veggie wash – even essential oil jewelry diffusers!

6. Simply Earth boxes are fun for everyone.

Not only is Simply Earth fun for you, it’s also fun for the family. Their products are suitable for most ages including tweens and up. So you can enjoy learning about new essential oils as a family. Or, explore your new essential oil box from Simply Earth with friends or coworkers. (These boxes make great gifts too!)

7. They donate to charity.

Finally, Simply earth donates 13% of their profits to organizations that work to end human trafficking.

Inside my Simply Earth essential oil box.

I received Simply Earth’s January essential oil box for my very first box along with a free big bonus box. Inside were the ingredients and essential oils to make the following products (along with recipe cards.)

Confidence Diffuser Blend
Skin Renewal Sugar Scrub
Relaxing Textured Massage Bars
Lip Rejuvenating Lip Balms
Skin Healing Booster Roll On
Calming and Uplifting Body Butter

The ingredients included coconut oil and fractionated (liquid) coconut oil, sweet almond oil, tapioca pearls, cosmetic beeswax and a silicone soap mold. I also received multiple, empty essential oil bottles with droppers, glass amber bottles with metal roller balls, an amber glass jar and lip balm containers. Additionally, my box also included the following essential oils:

Ravensara Essential Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil
Farewell Scars Essential Oil Blend
Myrrh Essential Oil

My favorite essential oil recipe for January from Simply Earth is the relaxing textured massage bar with tapioca pearls. While my favorite essential oil this month is the Farewell Scars essential oil blend. (I love that information about the benefits of each essential oil or essential oil blend can be found on the back of the recipe cards!)

Get your essential oil box from Simply Earth!

I can’t wait to receive next month’s essential oil box from Simply Earth! The theme for February is natural makeup. Not only will this box contain six simple essential oil recipes for natural makeup, it will also include the following essential oils and blends: Beauty Within, Geranium, Coffee and Copaiba. Plus there are bonus items like eye makeup containers and natural colorants!

If you’re excited as I was when I first learned about Simply Earth, then make sure you start your monthly subscription! Not only will you receive a free bonus box, you’ll also get a gift card $40 off your next order when you use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE If a monthly box doesn’t fit your budget, no worries. You can opt in to receive a quarterly essential oils box with six simple essential oil recipes instead. Or, it’s easy to skip a box or cancel your subscription for any reason! Get started now!

For more simple essential oils recipes, sign up my semi-weekly newsletter to discover more of my original beauty and skin care recipes and projects to try throughout the new year! You can also follow me on facebook and instagram.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, beauty box, beauty kit, beauty recipe, beauty recipes, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, handmade home, health and wellness, healthy homemaking, natural beauty, natural skin care, self care, simply earth

Anti Aging Serum Recipe for Maturing Skin, Acne & Even Eczema

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

January 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 12 Comments

Add this homemade anti aging serum recipe to your natural beauty and skin care routine to hydrate skin, fight acne and calm eczema and inflammation. It even removes makeup! Plus a simple 2-ingredient recipe for a hyaluronic acid serum recipe that saves you money! So you can have beautiful, healthy looking skin without breaking your beauty budget!

One of my favorite beauty secrets, in addition to using a plumping hyaluronic serum, is a simple oil-based anti aging serum. There are a number of skin care benefits to using an oil based, homemade anti aging serum recipe. Not only does this natural anti aging serum keep my skin moisturized, it’s also helped diminish scarring from a dog bite last year. In addition, it also effortlessly removes waterproof makeup. Plus it’s incredibly easy to make. Simply weigh out the ingredients and mix to combine. In five minutes or less, you’ll be on your way to more youthful looking skin that not only looks healthy, but feels healthy as well!

I’d had this homemade anti aging serum recipe – like most things – on my to do list for quite some time. (Which is why tackling my to list is NOT one of my goals for the New Year. I mean, life happens. Right?) I’d purchased the ingredients for this natural beauty recipe many months ago. However, it wasn’t until my friend’s eczema got really bad that I finally committed myself to this project.

You see, one of the ingredients I used for my anti aging serum recipe has some pretty stellar skin care benefits. Not just for maturing skin, but for treating eczema as well. So I made my anti aging serum recipe first. Then I worked with the same ingredients to formulate a natural beauty balm to soothe my friend’s eczema. (Subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss my upcoming eczema relief salve recipe! Or shop for natural remedies.)

Anti Aging Serum Recipe: Ingredients & Benefits

So, just what ARE the ingredients I chose for my anti aging serum recipe? And what are their natural skin care benefits? The main components of my anti aging serum are rosehip seed oil, borage oil, raspberry seed oil and moringa seed oil.

Skin Care Benefits of Borage Oil

You may be most familiar with borage oil from its use in hair care products to promote scalp health. However, borage oil is also an exceptional carrier oil for other natural beauty and skin care recipes as well. Because borage oil is rich in both GLA and Omega 6 Fatty Acids, it’s especially useful at fighting skin inflammation. So conditions such as acne, skin reddening and rosacea are naturally calmed when borage oil is applied due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, borage oil, which comes from a flower known as the starflower, has shown benefits for those who suffer from topical skin problems such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. This is because borage oil contains high amounts of Gamma Linolenic Acid (or GLA.) Borage oil is also a superior moisturizer for dry skin. And, it’s also suitable for sensitive skin. On babies, borage oil is a common treatment for skin conditions such as cradle cap.

Research has shown that the high amount of GLA in borage oil makes it an effective topical treatment for promoting skin health when used as a treatment for dry skin, inflammation, wounds, dermatitis and eczema. What makes borage oil unique is that it is comprised of 20%-24% GLA. Where, in comparison, other carrier oils used in anti aging formulations contain less. Evening primrose oil, for example, contains only 8%-10% GLA.

So whether you suffer from eczema or acne, or simply moisture loss in skin due to aging, borage oil is a must for any anti aging serum recipe. (It’s also why I used it as a key ingredient in my eczema relief salve.) You’ll love its ability to calm irritated skin, combat acne and lock in moisture to hydrate maturing skin. (Shop for natural anti-aging facial care products with borage oil here.)

Skin Care Benefits of Moringa Seed Oil

Like borage oil, moringa seed oil is another nutrient dense carrier oil with anti aging skin care benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, like vitamin E, as well as vitamins A and C. So it helps fight the free radicals that lead to the visible signs of aging. In addition, it also has a high oleic acid content of more than 72%.

Not only does moringa seed oil help fight the visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, it also has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent and treat acne. Commonly used in anti-aging skin care formulations, moringa seed oil also promotes glowing skin and reduced pore size. Likewise it aids in collagen production to improve skin elasticity and firmness as well.

Additionally, you’ll also find that moringa seed oil promotes healing of minor wounds. Plus it’s incredible moisturizing properties help to hydrate maturing skin as well as help with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. This makes this carrier oil a great choice not just for my anti aging serum recipe, but also for moisturizing body butters, herbal salves, eczema remedies and beauty & lip balms. (Shop for natural moisturizers and facial care products containing moringa seed oil here.)

Skin Care Benefits for Raspberry Seed Oil

Much like moringa seed oil, raspberry seed oil also boosts collagen for firmer skin. And it contains antioxidants that fight free radicals. This natural carrier oil also targets acne, age spots and premature aging in addition to combating sun damage. You’ll love that this oil is also suited for eczema prone skin – much like the other oils used in my anti aging serum recipe. Similarly it also has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties when used in skin care applications.

Similar to composition to pomegranate seed oil, raspberry seed oil is commonly found in homemade creams and makes a nice addition to sunscreens for its ability to absorb UV light. It’s natural scent is earthy, fresh and light – almost like cucumber – and therefore adds a pleasant, natural fragrance to products. However, as raspberry seed oil has a slower absorption rate than both borage and moringa seed oil, it’s recommended this oil not be used as a base oil for your formulations. Therefore, you’ll find that I use less of this oil in my anti aging serum recipe.

Skin Care Benefits for Rosehip Seed Oil

You may recall the natural anti-aging and beauty benefits of rosehip seed oil from my simple plantain salve recipe. This gentle, hydrating carrier oil absorbs quickly making it wonderful base oil for my anti aging serum recipe. Rich in essential fatty acids, rosehip seed oil offers many of the same natural skin care benefits as the other other oils used in my anti aging serum.

In addition to hydrating dry or maturing skin, rosehip seed oil also helps boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, reduce hyperpigmentation, protect against sun damage and brighten skin. It has also been shown to reduce fine lines and scars. So whatever your skin type – dry, maturing, acne or even eczema prone – you’ll have healthy looking, glowing skin. (Shop for natural skin care products with rosehip seed oil here.)

Anti Aging Serum Recipe with Borage Oil

Ingredients:

2 oz. rosehip seed oil
.25 oz. borage oil
.2 oz. moringa seed oil
.1 oz. raspberry seed oil
4-5 drops vitamin E
12 drops frankincense or carrot seed essential oil, optional

Recipe Notes:

My anti aging serum recipe yields approximately six 1/2 oz. glass vials. (I bottled my anti aging serum in these 1/2 oz. clear glass Boston round bottles with child resistant glass droppers from SKS Bottle & Packaging.) While you can reduce this anti aging serum recipe as needed, I gave the extra vials of my anti aging serum as gifts.

Additionally, as is your preference, you can substitute the essential oil in the recipe with one of your choice. Or, if price isn’t an issue, my homemade anti aging serum recipe is lovely with a few drops of rose damask absolute.

Instructions:

I did use a digital scale to weigh out the ingredients for my anti aging serum recipe. As the oils used are different weights, be advised that if you use liquid measurements, the final product will vary slightly.

To make this serum, simply weigh out the carrier oils into a glass container. Then use a plastic transfer pipette or glass dropper to add the vitamin E and essential oil. Mix to combine, then use a fresh plastic transfer pipette to fill the container(s) of your choice.

Usage:

To use your natural anti aging serum recipe, simply apply a few drops to clean, dry skin after applying your toner. Then massage into skin. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.

To use as a makeup remover, massage a dropper full of this anti aging serum onto skin and eye makeup (with your eyes closed.) Then wipe clean with a damp washcloth. Follow with your regular facial cleanser, toner and facial serum. (Or try this 2-ingredient anti-aging argan cleansing facial oil recipe.

What Order You Should Apply Skin Care Products In?

Not sure what order to apply your skin care products? It’s easy. Simply apply products in the following order:

Makeup Remover
Cleanser
Exfoliator or Toner
Treatments (Acne spot medication, antioxidant serums, leave-on hydroxy acids or retinols.)
Hydrating Mist
Cream Moisturizers & Eye Cream
Mineral Sunscreen
Foundation

How to Make A Simple (Affordable!) Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Making a skin plumping, moisturizing hyaluronic serum recipe is super easy and affordable. With as few as two ingredients, you can create your own hyaluronic serum for your natural skin care routine.

I previously shared a recipe that makes a large container of hyaluronic serum so you can use it EVERYWHERE. However, you can make a smaller amount as well. Simply combine one teaspoon of Bos Essentials Hyaluronic Acid Powder with 3.5 ounces of water in an airtight glass container. Shake vigorously to mix. Then refrigerate for several hours until the mixture gels.

If desired, you can also add 1/2 teaspoon of glycerin for extra hydration. Or even add a drop or two of rose damask absolute.

More Anti Aging Beauty Recipes

Once you’ve made my natural anti aging serum recipe, you may want to explore more of my other anti aging beauty secrets! Following are some of my other popular anti aging beauty recipes that you can craft in your kitchen!

You may also want to check out my most loved homemade beauty recipes of 2018. For more homemade beauty recipes, sign up my semi-weekly newsletter to discover more of my original beauty and skin care recipes and projects to try throughout the new year!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness Tagged With: anti-aging, antioxidant, beauty recipe, borage oil, essential oils, facial serum, moringa oil, natural beauty, natural skin care, raspberry seed oil, rosehip seed oil, women over 40

DIY Chocolate Cleansing Balm with Bacuri Butter

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November 13, 2018 By A Life Adjacent 10 Comments

Learn how to make a rich and decadent DIY chocolate cleansing balm with this guest post from Kim and Kyla of A Life Adjacent. This cleansing balm contains a natural emulsifier that effortlessly dissolves even the most stubborn makeup, while cocoa butter and exotic bacuri butter deeply nourish your skin. Your face will be left clean and soft while you enjoy the subtle aroma of deep, dark chocolate.

When it comes to makeup removing products, there is a truly overwhelming number of options. Between the vast selection of cleansing oils, cleansing creams, makeup wipes and micellar waters, it can be difficult to choose the right product for your skin.

We believe it’s ideal to switch your skin care products with the seasons, and that also includes your choice of makeup remover. For instance, we prefer using our DIY micellar water during the summer, as it has a light and cooling skin feel that’s perfect for offsetting the heat.

However, when the temperatures fall, we gravitate towards textures that feel a little more nourishing. This makes fall or winter the perfect time to switch to a cleansing balm — or better yet, a chocolate cleansing balm.

This DIY chocolate cleansing balm has a luxurious, velvety feel that’s reminiscent of warm chocolate fudge. And thanks to the addition of cocoa butter and cocoa absolute, it smells just like dark chocolate, too.

Our DIY vanilla cleansing balm is our go-to cleansing balm, but this chocolate cleansing balm has quickly become our new favorite!

Before we get into the recipe, let’s take a look at why cleansing balms are so good for your skin.

Why use a cleansing balm?

Between the many options for makeup removal, a cleansing balm is the most nourishing of them all. Not only is the rich, creamy texture of a balm perfect for emulsifying even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, but it also helps mitigate the inevitable skin dryness that comes with fall and winter weather.

Not only that, but cleansing balms are gentle. Since like dissolves like, cleansing balms are able to melt away oil and makeup effortlessly without disturbing the skin’s delicate balance. Many people are simply too rough with their skin, using abrasive scrubs and astringents that can do more harm than good.

A feeling of tightness or dryness after cleansing shouldn’t be confused with cleanliness. If your face feels tight after washing, it’s likely that your skin’s acid mantle has been disrupted. Disturbing this protective barrier raises the pH of your skin, making it too alkaline.

Our skin prefers to be slightly acidic, so a pH that is too alkaline not only leaves your complexion vulnerable to dryness, but it also makes issues such as acne and dermatitis more likely.

By creating a buffer between your skin and your cleanser, cleansing balms help protect your acid mantle and prevent your skin from being over-cleansed. Instead of feeling dry and stripped after washing, your skin will be left feeling soft and hydrated.

Benefits of bacuri butter for skin.

We created this DIY cleansing balm recipe after reading Rebecca’s post on bacuri butter body balm. We knew we had to get our hands on some bacuri butter after she called it the most magical of all beauty butters!

Exotic bacuri butter hails from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and is a highly versatile butter. It has a wonderful skin feel that is intensely smooth and emollient, making it a perfect ingredient for a DIY cleansing balm.

Rather than sitting on the surface of the skin, bacuri butter sinks in readily, leaving the skin feeling like silk. Its texture is so luxurious that we might even prefer it to shea butter.

Bacuri butter’s stellar nutritional profile is another aspect of what sets it apart. It’s incredibly rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that promote skin health. As well, it contains the important sulphur-containing amino acid methionine. Sulphur is one of the main building blocks of healthy skin, which means bacuri butter is particularly beautifying.

Bacuri butter smells very earthy in its raw form, and its deep color and rich texture immediately reminded us of chocolate fudge. For all these reasons, using bacuri butter as the base of a chocolate cleansing balm was an obvious choice.

DIY chocolate cleansing balm ingredients.

In addition to bacuri butter, cocoa butter and cocoa absolute, this DIY cleansing balm recipe also contains:

Macadamia oil

Macadamia oil has a an impressive fatty acid profile. It’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, making it much more heat stable than other nut oils.

It’s important to use heat stable lipids when formulating a cleansing balm, as the hot water used to wash your face will oxidize unstable oils. There has been some debate, but some research has suggested that using oxidized oils on your skin can accelerate aging.

Olivem 1000

This cleansing balm’s secret ingredient is Olivem 1000, a natural olive-derived emulsifier. Olivem 1000 is what makes this balm able to effortlessly emulsify and cut through makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.

Due to Olivem 1000’s viscous texture, it’s best to remove the cleansing balm using a hot washcloth before following it up with your usual cleanser.

DIY Chocolate Cleansing Balm Recipe with Bacuri Butter

Ingredients:

1/4 cup/54.5 g bacuri butter
1/4 cup/54.5 g cocoa butter
2 tbsp/26.7 g macadamia oil
1 tsp/4.8 g Olivem 1000
5-10 drops cocoa absolute

Supplies:

Double boiler
Whisk
Glass jar or stainless steel container for storage

Instructions:

Begin by melting the bacuri butter and cocoa butter in a double boiler (or makeshift double boiler) on medium heat. Whisk frequently to break any lumps.

Add the Olivem 1000 and whisk until combined. Once the Olivem 1000 has been completely incorporated, remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.

Turn the heat to low and add the cocoa absolute, if desired. Leave it to infuse for at least 10 minutes, whisking frequently. Note: cocoa absolute is not soluble in oil, so it will not dissolve completely into the mixture. Allowing it to infuse ensures that its aroma will permeate the balm.

Once the cocoa absolute has infused, remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool once again for 5-10 minutes, but do not allow it to solidify. Once cooled, add the macadamia oil and whisk again to combine.

Pour your cleansing balm into a glass or stainless steel container of your choice. Place in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour. After it sets, your balm can be kept at room temperature.

Chocolate Cleansing Balm Recipe Notes:

The cocoa absolute is an optional ingredient. The cocoa butter alone will give the cleansing balm a lovely chocolate scent; but if desired, the cocoa absolute will provide an even more potent dark chocolate aroma. Please be aware that since cocoa absolute can be a sensitizing ingredient, we recommend omitting it if you have sensitive skin.

How to use this DIY chocolate cleansing balm.

To use your DIY chocolate cleansing balm, massage a generous amount into dry skin and allow it to emulsify your makeup. Then, soak a dark colored washcloth in hot (but not too hot) water and drape it over your face to open your pores. (We recommend using a dark colored washcloth since bacuri butter has the tendency to stain lighter fabrics.)

Gently glide the cloth over your skin to remove the balm, taking care not to tug, especially around the delicate eye area. Your skin should feel clean at this point, but you can follow it up with your usual face cleanser to remove all traces of makeup. As always, a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser is preferable.

If using the oil cleansing method, you can repeat this process until your skin feels completely clean of makeup, omitting the cleanser.

If you prefer not to use a washcloth, you can also use wet cotton pads to remove the balm. We recommend high-quality, unbleached organic cotton pads whenever possible.

Who is this DIY chocolate cleansing balm suited for?

Due to the composition of this cleansing balm, it’s best suited to normal, dry, or mature skin types that require a lot of moisture. This recipe may also work for oily skin types, but only when not accompanied by acne. Bacuri butter, cocoa butter and especially macadamia oil are all very high in oleic acid, which can exacerbate both regular and fungal acne.

If you enjoyed this DIY chocolate cleansing balm recipe, then you might also like our DIY vanilla cleansing balm, our DIY micellar water with witch hazel, and our other DIY beauty recipes on our site A Life Adjacent. For even more natural beauty ideas, follow us on Pinterest. You can also find us on Instagram.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes Tagged With: bacuri butter, bath and body, beauty diy, beauty recipe, chocolate, facial cleanser, facial cleanser recipe, natural beauty, natural skin care