essential oil recipes Archives

Coffee Scrub Recipe for Natural Summer Skin Care & Homemade Gifts

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June 6, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Made with a blend of aromatherapeutic essential oils, this homemade coffee scrub recipe resembles potted succulents and is the perfect treat for your natural summer skin care routine. Learn how to make this DIY beauty recipe today to naturally pamper your skin and reduce the visible appearance of cellulite. Or make this natural body scrub to create unique homemade gifts for friends and family.

Getting Around to Summer Skin Care

I am one of those people who lacks a green thumb. While I’m not a serial plant murderer, my thumb varies from shades of putrid yellow to brown. I never kill my plants right off the bat. Instead, I tend to slowly torture them to death through a series of overwatering and underwatering then back again. My succulents always suffer the most. I’ll typically keep them alive for a year or so before sending them into a downward spiral that leads to rotting roots and leaves.

Granted, I do consider myself an intelligent person. I honestly do grasp the concept of plant care. The problem, however, isn’t that I don’t know HOW to care for succulents. It’s that my anxiety gets the better of me.

Normally, I’m a mostly sane person. (I’m not sure anyone is completely sane all of the time, so I prefer not overvalue my own sanity.) Unfortunately, I’ve never been great at handling the emotional overload that comes with that monthly visit from Aunt Flo. She’s quite challenging, especially now that perimenopause has set in. So I find myself, at least once a month, trying to compartmentalize the emotional whirlwind and anxiety that accompanies the hormone changes she packs for every visit.

To cope, this sometimes means, the OCD gets the better of me. And so I water my succulents thinking they aren’t getting enough to drink. Then I do it again the next day. And the day after that. And when they start to suffer, it must be they need more water! Or I go entirely the other direction and forget about them for months on end. At which point, there’s nothing left to salvage.

Luckily our skin can be salvaged. (Visibly anyway.) And whether or not you have a green thumb, this potted succulent coffee scrub recipe is the perfect way to pamper skin you’ve neglected prior to shorts season.

Skin Care Benefits of Coffee Scrubs

Coffee scrubs are exactly what you think they’d be. A body scrub comprised of coffee as the primary exfoliant. Typically, additional ingredients are also added to meet your skin’s personalized needs. Seeing as I’m turning 44 this month, I like to customize my body scrubs in a way that targets aging. By choosing carrier oils and essential oils that address aging, in addition to coffee’s caffeine content, I’m able to attain a variety of skin care benefits from my coffee scrub recipe.

Like most body scrubs, coffee scrubs are a wonderful way to naturally exfoliate skin. Exfoliation, which helps to promote cellular turnover, leads to brighter, smoother looking skin. This helps to reduce the appearance of aging. (Bye bye, fine lines.) By adding carrier oils, such as coconut oil, to a coffee scrub recipe, it also moisturizes skin which generally leads to a more youthful appearance.

Additionally, you may have heard, that coffee scrubs can help you can annihilate your body’s cellulite like I did last year’s succulents. But does it really?

Does a coffee scrub really help cellulite?

The one thing my homemade coffee scrub recipe cannot do is completely tackle cellulite. There is no magic remedy for reducing the amount of cellulite your body has. Much of cellulite is based on hereditary factors such as age, genetics, gender and ethnicity. However, both diet and activity level also play a role.

Nonetheless, by using a body scrub, such as a coffee scrub, you can diminish the appearance of cellulite. The massaging motion used when slathering on a scrub works much like dry brushing. It can help increase lymphatic drainage and it also increases body circulation. While the caffeine found in coffee assists in the dilation of blood vessels to tighten skin and aid in an overall firmer appearance.

Additional ingredients in my coffee scrub recipe.

I’ve seen coffee scrub recipes online that advice using cinnamon essential oil to further increase body circulation for cellulite reduction. However, as cinnamon oil is a known skin irritant, I strongly advise against its use. Instead, I’ve formulated my coffee scrub recipe using an aromatherapeutic blend of essential oils. These oils include both peppermint and eucalyptus, which can also aid in improving circulation without irritating sensitive skin.

In addition, I’ve also included Epsom salt in my potted succulent coffee scrub recipe. This salt, which is rich in magnesium, can help ease daily aches and pains that become commonplace as we age.

And, while I crafted this coffee scrub recipe with coconut oil, you can honestly use any carrier oil of your choosing. Hazelnut oil, for example, is great for massage. Alternately, I have another wonderful coffee scrub recipe without coconut oil – similar to Frank’s Original Coffee Body Scrub – that you can try here.

How to Make a Coffee Scrub Recipe

Ready to make a succulent themed summer coffee scrub recipe? Then let’s get started!

My potted succulent coffee scrub recipe is comprised of two parts. The actual coffee scrub recipe and a recipe for a simple succulent shaped soap that rests on top of the scrub. The coffee scrub is meant to be used after washing with the soap. When paired, the combination of these two natural summer skin care products make a beautiful presentation for homemade gifts.

The following recipes will yield four potted succulent coffee scrubs for seasonal gift giving. Should you not wish to make that many products at once, simply halve each of the recipes. It’s also important to note, that while I did use a small amount of cosmetic mica to add richer color and shimmer to my succulent soaps, you may omit the mica for all natural products.

Coffee Scrub Recipe with Coconut Oil

Ingredients:

8.5 oz. ground coffee
5 oz. Epsom salt
6 oz. fractionated coconut oil
4 oz. French green clay, suitable for all skin types
.25 oz. essential oil blend, found below

Essential Oil Blend:

.15 oz. eucalyptus essential oil
.1 oz. peppermint essential oil
.1 oz. wild orange essential oil
.05 oz. rosemary essential oil
.05 oz. tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Begin by making the essential oil blend. Simply weigh out each essential oil into a glass container. Mix to combine, then pour into an amber jar for use later.

Next, use a digital scale to weigh out the fractionated coconut oil (which is always liquid at room temperature) and .25 oz. of the essential oil blend. Combine in a glass bowl or a glass Pyrex measuring cup. Stir to combine, then set aside.

In a separate container, weigh out and combine the ground coffee, Epsom salt and French green clay. Mix well to fully incorporate all the ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.

Pour the dry ingredients into the container with the coconut oil and essential oil blend. Mix with a fork to combine. Then spoon evenly into four 8 oz. thick walled PET amber jars. Set aside.

Succulent Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

11 oz. clear melt and pour soap base
1/2 teaspoon French green clay
1 teaspoon 99% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
.1 oz. essential oil blend, found above
1/4 teaspoon apple moss green mica
additional mica for dusting, to suit

Instructions:

Weigh out the clear glycerin soap base using a digital scale. Using a sharp knife, cut the soap into chunks and combine in a glass Pyrex measuring cup or other heat safe container.

Heat the soap in a microwave in 30 second increments until all the soap has melted. Set aside.

In a separate container, measure out the French green clay and isopropyl alcohol. Combine in a small glass bowl or measuring cup. Stir well to combine. Then stir into the melted soap base.

If desired, measure out the apple green mica, then add to the soap base as well.

Now weigh out a portion of the essential oil blend you made previously and stir into the melted soap. Stir to incorporate all the ingredients evenly throughout the melted soap base.

Next, place your succulent mold onto a cutting board.

If desired, dust the the inside cavities of the mold with skin safe, cosmetic mica powder. I like to sprinkle a small amount of mica powder into the mold then blow the excess out over the sink. For my succulent soaps, I used the same apple moss green mica I tinted the soap with along with a pink mica powder.

Remix the melted soap base, then pour the melted base evenly into each of the four cavities of your succulent mold. If needed, spritz the tops of the soap with isopropyl alcohol (in a spray bottle) to remove any air bubbles.

Use the cutting board to transport the soap to the refrigerator.

Allow the soap to set in the fridge until the soap has fully cooled and solidified.

Then remove the succulent soaps from the mold.

All that’s left now is to pair the containers of coffee scrubs you made previously with a bar of soap each.

To do this, simply wrap the succulent soaps tightly in foodservice film. Screw the lids onto the containers of coffee scrub. Then rest the succulent soap bars onto the lids of the coffee scrubs.

Tie the two natural skin care products together using pretty pink ribbon from the craft store. Your coffee scrub and succulent soap duo are now ready to give as homemade beauty gifts!

It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned it, but if you’d like to sell the products you make using my homemade coffee scrub recipe and succulent soap tutorial there are some guidelines you’ll need to follow. In addition to your state and country’s laws, you’ll also need to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) when making your natural skin care products. I therefore recommend the book, Good Manufacturing Practices for Soap and Cosmetic Handcrafters by Marie Gale. This industry praised book is a valuable resource if you’re just getting started making your own homemade soaps, skin care products and cosmetics.

In addition to GMP, you’ll also need to follow FDA guidelines (in the United States) for labeling your products. If you’re unsure about the rules and regulations regarding labeling cosmetics, the book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English by Marie Gale, spells out everything you need to know to legally label your products. (And avoid a visit and inspection from the FDA.)

I hope you love my coffee scrub recipe with coconut oil as much as I do. If so, then make sure to pin my coffee scrub recipe for cellulite on Pinterest for homemade gift ideas down the road.

Also be sure to check out my other summer skin care recipes and homemade gift ideas below!

More Summer Skin Care Recipes

If you enjoyed my potted succulent coffee scrub recipe and succulent soap tutorial, then you should try these other homemade summer skin care recipes! Formulated for fun and function, these skin care products are made using a combination of natural ingredients including essential oils, body butters and carrier oils to nourish skin. Discover new ways to craft homemade beauty products for your natural skin care and beauty regimen now!

For more DIY beauty and summer skin care recipes, be sure to follow me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: anti-aging, bath and beauty, beauty products, beauty recipes, body scrub recipe, coffee body scrub, coffee scrub, epsom salt, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, gift idea, natural beauty, natural skin care, salt scrub recipe, succulent, summer, summer skin care

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe for Your Glass Stove Top, Countertops & Tile Floors

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

March 27, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

Learn how to make a natural cleaning clay recipe to clean just about everything! Perfect for cleaning glass stove tops, granite countertops and even tile floors, this easy cleaning clay recipe requires just 3-ingredients. Make yours in just 5-minutes! Plus discover more simple, all natural cleaning products you can make using essential oils.

Natural Cleaning Products That Work

I first discovered the miracle of cleaning clay after attending an H2O at Home party at a friend’s home. I was particularly impressed with both the effective of their cleaning clay and the simplicity of this all purpose cleaning product. Not only does it work great as a non-toxic, natural household cleaning product on most surfaces, it literally lasts forever!

Since trying out their products, I’d been dying to make my own natural cleaning clay. Unfortunately this homemaking project kept getting pushed onto the back burner. That is until I received the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box for April. Well timed for spring cleaning, this essential oil recipe box contained a variety of recipes for natural cleaning products. It also had a bottle of that one ingredient I’d needed to finally make my natural cleaning clay recipe – lemon essential oil.

All of Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes come with a collection of four essential oils. They also include additional ingredients and containers to make everything from natural beauty and skin care products to non-toxic cleaning products and aromatherapy diffuser blends. Each box also includes a collection of essential oil recipe cards. As their recipe cards are the same size as index cards, they fit easily into a standard 3″ x 5″ recipe box for quick reference and storage.

I love receiving my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box every month. It’s such a great way for me to explore new essential oils (some of which I’d never heard of like the amyris essential oil) as well as affordably grow my essential oil collection. Plus it feels good knowing that Simply Earth donates 13% of their profits to help end human trafficking. How can you not get behind a cause like that?

Related: Amyris Essential Oil Uses, Benefits and Recipes

Inside the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box.

The April recipe box from Simple Earth is all about making your own natural cleaning products. The most recent box contained nutmeg essential oil, tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil. It included an essential oil blend – BO Be Gone – as well. (It’s kind of perfect for making hand soap and natural laundry detergent.) In addition to the essential oils, my box also contained liquid Castile soap and an aluminum spray bottle for making their tea tree & lemon multi-surface cleaning spray.

The April essential oil recipe box contains recipes for the following natural cleaning products.

Tea Tree and Lemon Surface Cleaner Recipe
Lemon and Nutmeg Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe
Natural Home Diffuser Recipe
Easy Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

(If this is your first time learning about Simply Earth’s amazing essential recipe boxes, I’ve provided a clear overview of their ingredients, supplies and benefits here. There’s also coupon code for a free jam packed bonus box on your first order and a discount code for your second box.)

Related: Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Essential Oil Natural Cleaning Products

Following are some of my favorite homemade natural cleaning products included in the latest essential oil recipe box from Simply Earth. I’ve also included my own natural cleaning clay recipe so you can discover why I think it’s the bee’s knees. (And yes, I’m told, bees do have knees. Technically.)

Tea Tree & Lemon Surface Cleaner

Ingredients:

1/3 cup hot distilled water
1 tsp. borax powder
2 tsp. white distilled vinegar
2 tsp. rubbing alcohol
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Measure out the hot water into a glass measuring cup. Add the borax powder then stir to dissolve.

Follow with the remaining ingredients for the surface cleaner as called for in the recipe. Stir well to combine.

Now pour the mixture into an aluminum spray bottle. If desired, label your creation with one of the product stickers provided by Simply Earth.

Usage:

Shake this product prior to each use. To use, simply spray onto countertops and other non porous surfaces, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Your natural tea tree & lemon essential oil surface cleaner not only cleans surfaces and kills germs, it will also leave your home smelling naturally fresh.

Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe

Ingredients:

10 mL liquid Castile soap
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Combine the essential oils in a 10 mL roll on bottle. Swirl the bottle to mix the oils.

Now fill the remainder of the bottle with liquid Castile soap.

Usage:

Shake well prior to each use. Then simply roll this natural laundry stain remover onto laundry stains. Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes prior to washing.

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe

Ingredients:

4 oz. liquid Castile coconut oil soap
12 oz. white kaolin clay
40 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Using a digital scale to weigh out the Castile soap into a large glass bowl. Add the lemon essential oil and stir well to combine.

Then, in a separate container, weigh out the kaolin clay. Slowly add the clay to the the liquid soap base, mixing with a fork until all the clay is incorporated into the soap. If necessary, use your hands to blend the last bit of clay into the natural cleaning clay. There should be no dry clay left. However the mixture should be very firm.

Now fill an 8 oz. low profile jar with the cleaning clay. Press the natural cleaning clay firmly into the jar until it’s filled. You can then use the back of a measuring cup or as spatula to press the clay flat on top.

Usage:

Massage a slightly damp bubble up brush or sponge onto the cleaning clay. Then cover your surface with the cleaning clay, adding slightly more water to the sponge if necessary to form a thick foam. Then remove the cleaning clay using a damp microfiber cloth.

For dirty glass stove tops, cover the entire stovetop with cleaning clay. Allow the mixture to dry on the surface, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. Follow with a damp cloth to remove any residue if needed. Then polish clean with a dry cloth.

My natural cleaning clay recipe works great for deep cleaning a number of other surfaces including granite countertops, sinks, tubs and tile. However, as will all natural cleaning products, I recommend testing the cleaning clay first in an inconspicuous area on natural surfaces.

More Natural Cleaning Products Recipes

Now that you’ve tackled these recipes for natural cleaning products, try some of these other recipes for natural cleaning products for your home.

Also be sure to check out my eco-friendly laundry tips to save time and money as this household chore. You’ll also love my collection of spring cleaning tips for a green friendly lifestyle and a non-toxic clean throughout your entire home.

Explore more recipes with essential oils.

It’s so easy to get started with essential oils as well as make your own simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. Visit Simply Earth now to order your first essential oil recipe box and get a free bonus supply box with coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE You’ll also receive a $40 discount on your second box.

To discover more ways to use essential oils in your home, visit my Essential Oils & Herbs for Health, Lifestyle and Beauty Pinterest board. You can also find and follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or simply sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, diy, easy, eco-friendly, essential oil recipes, essential oils, green cleaning, green living, handmade home, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, simply earth, spring cleaning

Essential Oil Roll On Perfume Recipes (Plus How to Make Your Favorite Scents Last Longer!)

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

March 23, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 7 Comments

Making your own essential oil roll on perfume recipes is a fun way to explore new scents. And while making custom perfume blends can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading for some of my favorite perfume blends to use throughout the year. Plus learn how to use essential oil fixatives with your favorite fragrances to make your go to scents last even longer.

Natural Essential Oil Perfumes

To be honest, whenever I’ve tried to blend my own combinations of essential oils to create perfume it’s mostly failed. The whole base, middle, top note thing always throws me for a loop. So normally, I’ll buy natural fragrances online either through Etsy or a small artisan perfumery. I tend to fall for earthier fragrances when making a purchase, however I also love bright, fruity scents. The one scent blend I can’t tolerate, unfortunately, is anything with florals. So many florals give me a throbbing headache. (So I’m really not sorry that I never have to make tuberose scented soap again.) The same can be said for fake vanilla.

One of my favorite natural fragrances is Audition by Theater Potion. It contains a sensuous blend of chocolate and patchouli that I love. (And this from the girl who used to think patchouli smelled terrible.) It’s a wonderful mysterious scent with notes not just of chocolate and patchouli, but also coffee (another win!) tobacco, clary sage and cedar. Artfully crafted with a number of natural perfume fixatives (patchouli, cedar and clary sage) this natural fragrance lasts all day, much to my delight.

What are essential oil perfume fixatives?

While blending scents is not my strong suit, using a fixative in perfumery is much easier to understand. So what exactly is a perfume fixative?

Basically, perfume fixatives are materials incorporated into a perfume formulation to slow down the degradation of more volatile oils used in your perfumes. This results in fewer changes to the scent as you wear it. Used in trace amounts, natural essential oil fixatives not only help retain the scent of the perfume by slowing down evaporation rates, they also add their own unique scent note.

You’re likely familiar with perfumes that boast a strong scent straight out of the bottle. However, you’ve found that you’re soon disappointed when that scent fades away faster than expected. A natural perfume fixative can slow down the evaporation rate of more volatile essential oils and fragrances. So they linger longer for your enjoyment.

Which essential oils are fixatives?

If you’re wanting to avoid synthetic fragrances and perfumes, a fixative is essential in making your favorite scents last longer. But which essential oils are used as fixatives in natural perfumery? Following is a list of common plant extract and essential oil fixatives. (Don’t worry if it seems overwhelming! I actually have a simple trick for using a fixative with ANY essential oil roll on perfume – old or new!)

Ambrette Seed oil: Used for its lifting effect, this essential oil is best known for is sweet floral fragrance and musky wine like scent. Often used as a musk substitute, this natural essential oil fixative blends well with rose, neroli, sandalwood, clary sage, cypress, patchouli, oriental and other sophisticated scents. It is best used sparingly.

Amyris essential oil: A common fixative in perfumery, this essential oil is often used as an affordable alternative to sandalwood essential oil. It boasts a rich, warm woody aroma that blends well with a number of other essential oils. Amyris essential oil works best as a natural fixative in milder perfume formulations and blends well with cedarwood, citronella, conifer oils (like balsam fir or pine), cypress, frankincense, geranium, jasmine absolute, lavender, lemon, oakmoss, patchouli, sweet orange, tangerine, ho wood, rose absolute, vetiver, ylang ylang and sandalwood. (Learn more about amyris essential oil and discover recipes to try here.)

Angelica Root essential oil: Used sparingly, this essential oil is best used as a base note fixative. Its scent is sharp, green and herbaceous with peppery overtones and has robust staying power and diffusive qualities. You’ll find it blends well with patchouli, oakmoss, clary sage, vetiver and citrus blends.

Peru Balsam essential oil: A more commonly known essential oil, peru balsam is a wonderful fixative for floral essential oil based perfumes such as rose, heliotrope, magnolia, and lilac. It has a rich, balsamic, sweet vanilla-like undertone and adds a resinous note to a blend in perfumery. You’ll find that the soft aroma of peru balsam essential oil blends well with black pepper, ginger, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

Atlas Cedarwood essential oil: Another common (and affordable!) essential oil, atlas cedarwood has a long history of use as incense and perfume. The wood was burned by the Greeks and Romans for its sweet tenacious, woody-balsamic scent with a warm camphor-like top note. This essential oil blends well with a number of essential oils bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, jasmine, juniper, lavender, neroli, palmarosa, petitgrain, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang and other floral essential oils or bases.

Cistus essential oil: Also known as Labdanum, cistus essential oil is used in natural perfumery for its rich aroma. A naturally strong fixative, its warm, sweet, dry and rich herbaceous fragrance blends well with bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, lavender, juniper, oakmoss, opopanax, patchouli, pine, sandalwood and vetiver.

Clary Sage essential oil: Clary sage has an extensive history in perfumery and works well as a fixative for perfumes of a more delicate bouquet. Its somewhat heavy scent is reminiscent of balsamic,tobacco, sweet hay and tea leaves. Used as a fixative for natural perfumes, clary sage adds a warm note to perfume oil blends. Additionally, you’ll find that clary sage blends well with bay, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, cedarwood, chamomile, coriander, cypress, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon balm, lime, mandarin, patchouli, petitgrain, pine, rose and sandalwood essential oils.

Green Cognac essential oil: A specialty oil for perfumers, cognac essential oil is produced from the wine precipitate known as ‘lees’ – the yeasty residue left at the bottom of oak barrels after the fermentation and aging of Cognac. It’s commonly used to add lift and fresh, fruity natural notes to men’s colognes and aftershave fragrances. However, it’s also a tenacious fixative. Used as a middle note in natural perfume formulations, cognac has a strong fruity yet green herbaceous odor and blends well with ambrette seed, bergamot, clary sage, coriander, neroli, galbanum, jasmine sambac, lavender, lotus pink absolute, rose maroc absolute, rose otto and ylang-ylang.

Frankincense essential oil: Frankincense, like cedarwood essential oil, has a long history of use in incense and other perfumery applications. This oil boasts a fresh, woody, spicy, balsamic fragrance with a citrus top note. When used with citrus blends, frankincense modifies the sweetness of the scent in a unique way. Commonly used in conjunction with heavier fragrances, this natural essential oil and fixative blends well with basil, black pepper, bergamot, galbanum, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, orange, melissa, neroli, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood and other spice oils.

Galbanum essential oil: Galbanum essential oil also has a long history of use as incense. While the resin may be burned, the oil is often used as a natural essential oil fixative in perfumes. A wonderful modifier with a fresh, woody, spicy and balsamic damp woods scent, this essential oil blends beautifully with lavender, oakmoss, fir, elemi, jasmine, liquidambar, frankincense, palmarosa, geranium, ginger, rose, verbena and ylang-ylang.

Myrrh essential oil: A common fixative in the fragrance industry, myrrh essential oil has a dry, creamy and resinous aroma. Think smoky woody or warm sweet balsamic with a slightly spicy medicinal odor. You’ll find that myrrh is an excellent fixative for heavy floral essential oil perfume blends. It’s especially nice when blende with violet, white rose, and lavender. However this essential oil also works well with frankincense, sandalwood, oakmoss, cypress, juniper, mandarin, geranium, patchouli, thyme, mints and spice oils.

Oakmoss absolute: Extracted from the lichen that grows on oak trees, oak moss has a heavy earthy, bark like aroma. Its tenacious fragrance has a high fixative value and blends well with most other oils to add body and rich natural undertones. However, this oil is particularly nice when mixed with anise, bay, bergamot, clary sage, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, lime, orange, palmarosa, tea tree, vetiver or ylang ylang.

Orris Root essential oil: Orris root essential oil has an extensive history of use in perfumery dating back to the 1700s. Prior to that, however, the root was used by ancient Egyptians as a body spice, incense and perfume. Its delicate aroma boasts a sweet floral woody scent that blends well with carnation, cassie, cedarwood, bergamot, vetiver, cypress, geranium, mimosa, labdanum, clary sage, rose, violet and other floral based oils.

Patchouli essential oil: Best known as an incense and base note in perfumery, patchouli essential oil possesses a strong, rich earthy odor that is considered to improve with age. It can be used in oriental bouquets as well as natural blends that contain bergamot, black pepper, cassie, cedarwood, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, elemi, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, ginger, jasmine, labdanum, lavender, lemongrass, myrrh, neroli, oakmoss, orris, rose, rosewood, sandalwood or vetiver.

Sandalwood essential oil: Sandalwood also has a long history of usage in natural perfumery. However, as traditional Indian Sandalwood has been considered a vulnerable species since 1998 due to disease, fire and exploitation through illegal activity. Australian Sandalwood represents an ecologically responsible alternative to traditional Indian Sandalwood. Sandalwood essential oil is a base note with a soft, woody balsamic and extremely tenacious aroma. It blends well with violet note perfumes in addition to bergamot, black pepper, cassie, clove, geranium, jasmine, labdanum, lavender, myrrh, oakmoss, patchouli, rose, rosewood, tuberose, and vetiver.

Vanilla absolute: A staple in natural essential oil perfumery, vanilla absolute, this base note boasts a rich, sweet, balsamic and vanilla-like aroma. A staple in the fragrance industry, this natural fixative lends an unrivaled richness and depth to a variety of sweet-floral or heavy amber bases. Additionally, this absolute blends beautifully with sandalwood, vetiver, balsams and spice oils as well as cassie, lavandin and lavender for a unique addition to your essential oil roll on perfume recipes. (Tip: Benzoin resin oil is a cost effective replacement for vanilla in essential oil roll on perfume recipes.)

Vetiver essential oil: Vetiver has had a multitude of uses over the years. In addition to natural perfumery, this essential oil has also been used to scent fabric. While vetiver root is often woven into baskets, mats and window coverings. Its scent is best described as woody, earthy and heavy with sweet undertones. You’ll find that vetiver blends well with frankincense, patchouli, oakmoss, sandalwood, violet, ylang-ylang, galbanum, geranium, jasmine, lavender, clary sage, cassie and rose.

Violet Leaf absolute: This pleasant green absolute is widely used in the perfumery industry for its grassy cucumber-like scent. Its dry, strong, fresh green leaf odor has a subtle floral undertone. Even in when used in low concentrations it offers tremendous diffusion and adds elegance to certain floral blends such as hyacinth, muguet and high-class chypres. This natural plant extract blends beautifully with sandalwood, frankincense, lavender, rose, jasmine, tuberose, clary sage, cumin, basil and most citrus oils.

An easy way to start using fixatives with your natural essential oil roll on perfumes.

If you’re still gun shy about incorporating fixatives into your natural essential oil roll on perfume blends, don’t worry. You don’t have to come with your own recipes. Nor do you need to invest in expensive essential oils you may use only once or twice. There’s actually an easier, more affordable way to add a fixative to your existing stash of fragrances! How? By purchasing a pre-made natural perfume fixative.

Wild Veil Perfume sells an entire line of ready made perfume fixatives. They come in little tins like lip balms or salves, with a similar consistency. Formulated ahead of time so there’s no guesswork, you simply apply a perfume fixative to pulse points before adding your favorite essential oil roll on perfume or fragrance.

What is basically a primer for natural essential oil based perfume and colognes, Wild Veil Perfume’s creamy fixative compounds contain their own fragrance composed exclusively of base notes, in an organic emulsion of raw beeswax, cold pressed natural oils, and unrefined, raw butters. Available in an extensive variety of base notes, these fixatives not only slow down the evaporation rate of your favorite perfumes, they double as a moisturizer. Simply apply and wear them alone or in layers with your favorite essential oil roll on perfumes.

Essential Oil Roll On Perfume Recipes

Now that you know the secret to making your natural fragrances last longer, why not try a few essential oil roll on perfume recipes? Following are a few of my favorite essential oil roll on perfume recipes. To make your custom fragrances, simply add the essential oils directly to a 10 mL roller ball bottle. Then fill the remainder of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil. (Be sure to leave room at the top for the roller ball.) Shake and enjoy! (This essential oil mixing kit makes it easy to get started.)

Grapefruit Citrus Crush Essential Oil Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

10 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
1 drop frankincense essential oil

Pumpkin Spice Essential Oil Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

4 drops cinnamon essential oil
4 drops fresh ginger essential oil
4 drops nutmeg essential oil
3 drops clove bud essential oil
1 drop cardamom essential oil

Rose Blossom Essential Oil Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

6 drops rose absolute
4 drops Peru balsam essential oil
2 drop frankincense essential oil
2 drop sandalwood essential oil

Tropical Fruit Essential Oil Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

4 drops mandarin essential oil
4 drops ylang ylang essential oil
2 drop fresh ginger essential oil
2 drop pink pepper essential oil

Lovely Lavender Essential Oil Roll on Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

4 drops amyris essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drop peppermint essential oil
2 drop juniper essential oil

Where to buy essential oil perfumes.

As with even commercial synthetic fragrance blends, perfumes comes with a cost. And investing in the essential oils to make your own can get expensive fast unless you’re slowing growing your collection over time. If you’re not ready to dive into a huge investment, you can buy a wide array of essential oil artisan perfumes to fit your unique tastes. Following are some of my favorite essential oil perfumes from artisan perfumers.

The collection of essential oil perfumes from Two Bird Perch are perfect for anyone moving toward living a natural green lifestyle. I’m currently crushing on their “Quirky” essential oil roll on perfume. A natural blend of patchouli, bergamot and sweet orange, this blend can enhance mood, alleviate stress and promote happiness. You can discover this light, uplifting and unique scent for yourself by visiting their Etsy shop here.

Or try one of fifteen unique, natural fragrance blends from LVNEA. Their best selling natural perfume sampler is an affordable way to explore a wide array of natural scents. You may also be interested in the perfume sampler set from Barefoot Apothecary. For even more essential oil perfume options, visit my collection of favorite, natural artisan perfumeries and fragrances here.

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Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and beauty, bath and body, diy, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, fragrance, natural alternative, perfume, perfume fixatives, perfume making, perfume oil, perfume recipe, perfumery, scent

Amyris Essential Oil Usage & Benefits (Plus Easy Essential Oil Recipes to Try!)

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February 25, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 19 Comments

The March Simply Earth essential oil recipe box brought with it a few surprises. Not only did I discover amyris essential oil for the first time, I also learned a few other interesting things when making my amyris essential oil recipes. Keep reading to learn about the the usage and benefits of amyris essential oil. Plus discover the natural amyris essential oil recipes I tried.

About Amyris Essential Oil

To be honest, before receiving amyris essential oil in my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box, I’d never heard of it. I literally had to look it up. As it turns out, this thick, viscous essential oil is often used as an affordable alternative to sandalwood essential oil. Known as West Indian Sandalwood – though it’s not actually related to sandalwood – amyris essential oil boasts a rich, warm woody aroma that blends well with a number of other essential oils. These essential oils include cedarwood, citronella, conifer oils (like balsam fir or pine), cypress, frankincense, geranium, jasmine absolute, lavender, lemon, oakmoss, patchouli, sweet orange, tangerine, ho wood, rose absolute, vetiver, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

Considered generally safe for use, amyris essential oil is nontoxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating. Despite this, it should still be diluted with a carrier oil for topical use. (A patch test on skin is recommended prior to use.) Additionally, it is important to note that amyris essential oil is not intended for oral consumption. And, as with other essential oils, always consult a medical professional if you are pregnant or nursing prior to use.

Amyris Essential Oil Usage & Benefits

Amyris essential oil has a number of uses and benefits. It’s commonly used as a fixative in perfume recipes in addition to a number of other cosmetic and therapeutic applications.

Studies show that amyris essential oil has antiseptic, sedative, decongestant and emollient properties. In addition, researchers have also found that amyris oil contains potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Specifically, it’s effective against 12 strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria. These include Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi, as well as Candida albicans fungi.Due to this oil’s high emerol content, it also makes an effective insect repellent. Not only does it deter biting insects, such as mosquitoes, it also repels brown dog ticks, blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks.

Due to its inherent properties, amyris essential oil is well suited for natural remedies that support the immune system. They also make this oil a beneficial ingredient in recipe formulations that focus on calming the mind, relaxing muscles and aiding with sleep. So it’s no surprise that amyris essential oil offers a variety of aromatherapeutic benefits that aid with both sleep and common illnesses such as colds and flu.

Simply Earth Essential Oil Box

Now that you’re caught up on the basic ins and outs of amyris essential oil, I want to share a few highlights that can be found inside the March Simply Earth essential oil box.

Not only does the March box come with a bottle of amyris essential oil, three other essential oils are also included. They are blood orange essential oil, coriander essential oil and a digest essential oil blend which aids with nausea, bloating and gas. (If you’re new to Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes, you can learn more about what’s inside and how they give back to the community here.)

There are also a number of great essential oil recipes. These recipes include the following:

Digest Essential Oil Rollerball Recipe
Mood Lifting Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe
Anxiety Away Essential Oil Inhaler Recipe
Magnesium Whipped Body Butter Recipe
Magnesium Oil Sleep Spray Recipe
Essential Oil Sickness Support Bath Soak Recipe

My two favorite essential oil recipes from the March box were the sickness support bath soak recipe and the magnesium oil sleep spray recipe. Both of these recipes use amyris essential oil as a key ingredient. You can learn how to make two amyris essential oil recipes from the March Simply Earth box below. Or subscribe to Simple Earth now! (A la carte essential oils and other materials including containers, carrier oils and diffusers are also available for sale without a subscription.)

Easy Amyris Essential Oil Recipes

Magnesium Oil Sleep Spray Recipe

Magnesium oil is not an oil. Believe it or not, I had no idea. I was also somewhat skeptical about an external application of magnesium oil actually helping with pain and sleep issues caused by fibromyalgia. Once, I tried this recipe, however, I was stoked to find it helps not just with sleep. It also calmed the fibro flare ups I’ve been having in my wrists and arms lately. Pain that often makes it difficult to type. Simply spray it on and massage in.

This magnesium oil sleep spray recipe does contain water. However, the magnesium flakes (a salt) used in this recipe naturally preserve the water. Therefore no additional preservative is needed.

What are magnesium flakes?

Magnesium flakes, or magnesium chloride, differs from Epsom salt. Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate. While both are absorbed by skin, magnesium chloride is better suited for topical applications. Magnesium flakes therefore are well suited for stress relief, sore muscle recovery, improving circulation, headaches, joint pain, restless leg syndrome and cramps.

Notes about the recipe.

Magnesium flakes are included in the Simply Earth essential oil box. However, you will want to purchase more magnesium flakes, along with the fractionated coconut oil (available from Simply Earth), once the supply they send runs out.

Because I live with fibromyalgia, I did make a substitution in this recipe. Instead of water, I used witch hazel for its anti-inflammatory properties. While you dissolve the magnesium flakes in boiling water, I was able to dissolve them in the witch hazel by simply stirring the two ingredients together.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon magnesium flakes
1/2 cup boiling distilled water
1 Tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
6 drops blood orange essential oil
4 drop amyris essential oil

Instructions:

Dissolve the magnesium flakes as called for in the recipe in 1/2 cup boiling water.

Meanwhile, in a small glass bowl, stir the essential oils into the fractionated coconut oil.

Next, pour all of the ingredients into the spray bottle (provided.)

To use, simply shake the bottle then mist onto your pillow at bedtime. Or spray onto arms and/or legs as needed and massage in.

Sickness Support Bath Soak Recipe

Simply Earth’s sickness support bath soak recipe is wonderful not just for boosting immunity to fight off illnesses, it also can help with sore muscles and body aches associated with the flu. It’s also effective at calming your body as well as relieving nausea or a distressed digestive system.

Made using amyris essential oil and magnesium flakes, this homemade detoxifying bath soak recipe also contains Epsom salt (not provided) and lavender buds (included.) As this bath soak recipe is diluted in bath water, I actually doubled the amount of essential oils called for in the recipe. (By the way, this smells absolutely AMAZING!)

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons magnesium flakes
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1 Tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
6 drops Amyris essential oil
4 drops Digest essential oil blend
2 Tablespoons dried lavender

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix the magnesium flakes and Epsom salt together.

Using a separate glass bowl, combine the essential oils with the fractionated coconut.

Now add the salt mixture to the oils and mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated throughout the bath soak.

Then mix in the dried lavender buds. Spoon the bath soak into a small glass jar or container until ready for use.

To use, simply pour the entire contents of the bath soak into warm running bath water.

Can’t wait to get started using this amazing essential oil? Subscribe to Simply Earth today! Use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to get a free bonus box with your first order. Plus receive a gift card for $40 off your next order!

For more simple essential oils recipes, sign up for 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, twitter, pinterest and instagram.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: amyris essential oil, aromatherapy, bath tutorial, beauty box, beauty kit, beauty recipes, cold relief, colds, detox, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, flu, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, immunity, magnesium, mineral bath soak, natural alternative, natural remedy, natural skin care, nausea, self care, simply earth

Simple Essential Oil Recipes for Home, Health & Beauty

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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