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

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January 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

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

A New Year, A New Me: Five Worthy (And Doable!) Goals for the New Year

January 2, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Five worthy goals for the New Year that anyone can accomplish! Let’s do this!

This year I’m kicking off January not with resolutions, but with achievable goals for the New Year. I went through a lot last year. From changing unhealthy relationship patterns, moving on from a not so pleasant divorce and learning how to manage a chronic illness so it doesn’t manage me. It’s been a doozy. With past challenges conquered, however, I’m super excited about all the new adventures in store for me in the coming months.

Following are some of the goals for the New Year that I’ve set for myself. I hope you’ll join me in on some of these endeavors to explore and try new things. I’d also love to hear what your goals for the New Year are. So don’t forget to share your plans for conquering 2019 in the comments.

Goals for the New Year

#1 Make wine.

I’ve always wanted to make wine. My first husband used to make beer from scratch. However, there’s typically a lot of equipment to buy for winemaking.

Just before Christmas however, Greg bought an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Our first dinner we made in our new Instant Pot for baby back ribs was amazing! (And yes! They do fall off the bone.) However, on our second dinner attempt we learned the hard way that the smell of chicken fat rendering challenges my nose in a very big way. That, and we didn’t realize until after the fact, you need to clean the seal with vinegar after every use and/or purchase separate sealing rings for different types of dishes/meats. (After dry heaving for an hour straight I’m never eating chicken thighs again.)

However, while chicken is permanently knocked off the Instant Pot menu, other things are still a go. Like making wine. Yes. For around the half the cost of a Bota box, you can make your own wine. You don’t even need fruit! Just grab a bottle of Welch’s grape juice, some sugar and yeast and you’re all set! (Plus you’re not fighting with those giant glass jugs so it’s perfect for small spaces.) You can find the instructions for making your own Instant Pot wine here.

#2 Focus on strength training.

I put on quite a bit of weight (for me) last year. I actually went up two full sizes. Part of it was stress, part was a prescription medication (I’m no longer taking) and some of it is just age. Hormone changes after 40 can really leave you struggling a bit with self esteem. However, I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m okay with weight gain – or even the unfortunate redistribution of said weight from my butt to my gut – as long as I know I’m still eating healthy. So instead of cardio (which is nearly impossible to tackle with fibromyalgia) one of my top goals for the New Year is strength training.

As we age we start to lose muscle. According to Forbes, we lose about 25% of our muscle between 30-35. By age 70, it’s as much as 50%. Therefore, resistance and strength training is extremely important once we, as women, hit our forties. Especially if want to retain our independence throughout the later years of life. I’m starting out slow with knee push ups and yoga, but I’m getting it done! I’d love to hear your favorite ways (or video titles) that you use to help build muscle and strength. So please share your tips in the comments!

#3 Create less waste.

While it’s nearly impossible to achieve a 100% zero waste lifestyle, there are simple things one can do to minimize excess waste – especially in the kitchen. Last year I fell in love with Grove’s European dish cloths. I even got my BFF hooked on these. She’s always holding on to her paper towels and reusing them multiple times on the counter. Not only to reduce waste, but also to save money.

Not surprising, the European dish cloths were an instant hit in her home! Not only are they thicker and have a higher absorption rate than regular paper towels, you can reuse them over and over. Simply toss them in the dishwasher on your regular cycle when they get dirty. This, of course, also frees of some counter space if you have a small kitchen.

I’ve also made the switch to Grove Collaborative’s cleaning concentrates. Not only am I not having to repurchase my cleaning supplies in bulky plastic spray bottles, I’m also saving a ton of storage space. (Which REALLY matters when you live in a tiny apartment. Grove’s cleaning concentrates come in tiny 1 oz. containers to reduce plastic waste and lower your carbon footprint. All you need to do is add one to a 16 oz. glass spray bottle, then fill with water and shake.

I also love that they’re made with non-toxic, plant derived ingredients including natural essential oils. Paired with a microfiber cloth, my apartment is cleaner than it’s ever been. (Though Greg will tell you it’s somewhat more cluttered with all the soapmaking supplies.)

If you’re interested in trying out Grove’s cleaning concentrates, now is the time to make that leap for the New Year. For a limited time you can get a free set of three cleaning concentrates (for tub & tile, glass and all purpose cleaning,) a glass spray bottle, a cleaning caddy and walnut scrubber sponges with your first $20 order. They even throw in free shipping! Spend a little more and they’ll also send you a free stoneware tray. I use mine on our granite countertop for my dish and hand soap. It keeps the water from pooling on the granite so I don’t get those dark water marks. Shop now so you don’t miss out!

#4 Learn something new.

Last year I started taking art classes through a local event called Wine and Art Wednesdays taught by my friend, Hillary. I learned some pretty amazing new crafts while also enjoying the chance to meet new people with similar interests. (You may recall me sharing tutorials from of a few of these classes including how to make needle felted wine bags and suncatchers from upcycled CDs as well as how to create alcohol ink ornaments and gelli prints.)

This year I plan to attend even more classes to expand my experience starting with ribbon and macrame mobiles next Wednesday. I’ll also be (finally!) enrolling in an herbal course through The Herbal Academy. If you’ve been thinking about enrolling to expand your knowledge of herbs, now is a great time to do so!

Right now The Herbal Academy is offering up to 25% off all of their courses through January 6th, 2019. Not only will you save money by enrolling now, but The Herbal Academy just announced they will be closing course registration for the Introductory, Intermediate, and all herbalist packages on January 7th until further notice as they undergo some website improvements. So don’t delay! If you’re interested, be sure to sign up now!

#5 Take the opportunity to forage (and frolic!)

While living in an apartment doesn’t allow the luxury of the garden, I can still enjoy the outdoors and forage for common herbs and flowers. Last year I stumbled upon a patch of chamomile growing wild off The Greenway I walk on during warmer months. Natural herbs and botanicals like plantain and wild violets are also super common in my hometown. I often find them in backyards and growing along city sidewalks. So even if I discover a new plant that I’m not sure hasn’t been treated with pesticides, I can still use the experience to look it up and learn more about it. Not to mention the hunt for new plants means me getting outdoors and walking even more in the New Year.

(I’m also considering making a handmade book with local plants from our area. Something like my 4th grade project when I had to collect and identify 40 different species of trees in book form, smashed between sheets wax paper heated up with an iron.)

If your area doesn’t offer much of an opportunity to safely forage for wild herbs and plants to use in herbal recipes, then check out the organic dried herbs offered from Mountain Rose Herbs to use in your custom tea blends or homemade herbal salves. Or give this recipe for a homemade energy gel a try!

See. I told you these goals for the New Year would be easy! Now be sure to tell me what your doable goals for the New Year are in the comments. Or, share yourself in action working on your goals via instagram with the #soapdelishowoff so we can all inspire one another! (And yes! Soapmaking goals absolutely count. If you’re finally making cold process soap for the first time, I want to know!)

If you’re looking for more inspiration and DIY ideas as you head into the New Year, then be sure to sign up my semi-weekly newsletter!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, My Life Day to Day Tagged With: goals, greenliving, healthy living, inspiration, lifestyle, new year's, resolutions, women over 40

The Best & Only Body Butter Recipe You’ll Ever Need (Without Shea Butter OR Coconut Oil!)

August 8, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

This natural bacuri body butter recipe is the best and only body butter recipe you’ll ever need! Formulated to moisturize and nourish dry and maturing skin, this non-greasy bacuri body butter recipe is crafted using three simple ingredients from the Brazilian Amazon forest. Each of these unrefined, cold pressed ingredients possess unique anti-aging skin care properties. So skin looks and feels younger with every use.

Let’s talk about aging.

I was looking at my hands the other day and I thought, OMG. I have crepey skin! I mean, I guess it was bound to happen at some point. No one has yet to figure out how to stop the aging process. (And if someone ever does, I’d like to go back ten years and push the hold button there.)

I’ll admit I’ve been freaking out about this aging thing. My thirties were fine. I’ve always looked younger than I really am anyway. However, my forties are a different story. And with everyone using filters on their facebook and instagram selfies, it feels like we’re supposed to look young regardless of how many years pass. It’s no wonder that being bombarded with these expectations of youth that we begin to feel insecure as we age.

My forties have been more challenging for me than any other decade. So if you’re rounding that bend, please know that you definitely are not alone. I feel like I’ve been spending an insane amount of money on beauty products to try to gain that filtered photo look. And I’m still wrangling with my own inner voice to age gracefully. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a way to reconcile how I look with how I feel I should look.

I can’t be the only one determined to start a savings account to have my chin (waddle?) sucked out when I hit my mid-50s. Which, incidentally, is how you get those high, defined cheekbones as you age. It all just starts to slide downward and pool under you chin.

I don’t have the answers to boost my self-esteem or yours at the moment. However, I do think it’s important to address aging. Aging happens to everyone. Yet, I think we often feel alone in how we address our own aging process. We struggle with it inwardly instead of joking about it with our inner circle. We try to hide every wrinkle and erase every age spot instead of embracing the new beauty we are becoming. And we are beautiful.

We women, we create life. We bring joy, passion and heart to the world. We love deeply. We live with intent. So what if our tits hang past our bellies and our butts go flat. We are capable of creating magic.

Still, crepey skin straight up sucks. Magical or not. And as our hands seem to be the telltale sign of a woman’s true age, I of course made a recipe for that. Chuckle if you must; my BFF does. But this stuff is the absolute best and only body butter recipe you’ll ever need.

The best AND ONLY body butter recipe you’ll ever need.

The secret to this amazing bacuri body butter recipe lies somewhere deep within the heart of the Brazilian Amazon forest. Crafted using three simple ingredients found in Brazil, this natural bacuri body butter recipe is, by nature, a magical product for maturing skin.

Bacuri butter, tucuma butter and brazil nut oil come together in my bacuri body butter recipe to form a nourishing, non-greasy body butter. While I don’t have the answer to the mystery about how these plants came to have so many beneficial skin care properties, what I can say, is that these ingredients have the perfect properties to soothe, nourish and condition aging skin. So not only does skin look youthful, plump and healthy, it also feels that way.

About the ingredients in my bacuri body butter recipe.

What is bacuri butter?

Bacuri butter is the most magical of all beauty butters. A highly emollient and moisturizing butter, this product is derived from the seeds of the fruit that grow on the Bacuri tree. Found in Northern Brazil, where the bacuri fruit is harvested in the wild, this dark brown solid butter is extracted from the seeds through the cold-pressed processing method.

Bacuri butter is a semi-solid with a melting point similar to shea butter. Therefore it makes a suitable substitution for shea butter in any homemade body butter recipes. Unlike shea butter, however, bacuri butter offers more in the way of anti-aging skin care benefits.

Bacuri butter is suitable for all skin types, including oily and sensitive skin. It doesn’t feel greasy. Instead, bacuri butter leaves skin feeling velvety smooth upon application. When used in anti-aging skin care formulations, bacuri butter lends the finished product its firming, moisturizing, astringent and soothing skin care properties. Additionally, bacuri butter promotes cellular turnover vital for younger looking skin. It also helps to stabilize skin’s elastin and boost collagen production.

Because bacuri butter has a pleasant, moderately strong natural scent, I chose to leave my natural bacuri body butter recipe unscented. So the natural sweet and earthy scent of bacuri butter shines through. (Learn more about bacuri butter here.)

What is tucuma butter?

Another amazing product sourced from the Brazilian Amazon Forest is tucuma butter. The hard butter in my natural bacuri body butter recipe, tucuma butter comes from the seed of the native Tucuma palm tree. Similar in composition to another Brazilian butter called Murumuru Butter, this butter is also a great ingredient for anti-aging products due to its moisture binding properties and chemical makeup.

Tucuma butter has a natural gloss and is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that help to combat the free radicals that lead to aging. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids which not only promote cell regeneration, but also help to protect and moisturize dry and maturing skin.

What is brazil nut oil?

Known as para-nut, castania and chestnuts of Brazil, brazil nuts are native to South America and are found primarily in the Brazilian Amazon forest. As the name implies, brazil nut oil is sourced from Brazil nuts and is prized for its emollient and moisturizing skin care properties.

Commonly used in the cosmetic industry as a key ingredient in anti-aging products, brazil nut oil also has anti-free radical and antioxidant properties. It contains 75% unsaturated fatty acids in addition to vitamins A and E. Brazil nut oil is also considered one of the best natural conditioners for damaged and dehydrated hair. (If you are allergic to tree nuts I recommend substituting the brazil nut oil with passion fruit oil in my bacuri body butter recipe.)

Natural Bacuri Body Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

1.25 oz. unrefined bacuri butter
1.5 oz. unrefined tucuma butter
.5 oz. unrefined brazil nut oil

Instructions:

You will need a digital scale to make my natural bacuri body butter recipe. (I like this one as its both durable and suitable for a variety of skin care recipes including homemade soaps.)

Begin by weighing out each of the three ingredients and combine in a double boiler. Heat until melted, then mix well to combine.

Pour the melted body butter into two 2.3 oz. glass jars (like these from SKS Bottle & Packaging.)

Allow the bacuri body butter cool completely, then screw on the lids. Label as desired for personal use or gifting.

(It is important to note that this butter will only stay solid in a temperature controlled environment of 75°F or less. For warmer temps, I recommend adding .25 oz. of either beeswax or emulsifying wax and experiment from there for the perfect solution.)

If you like my natural bacuri body butter recipe, then also be sure to try my bacuri butter body balm recipe!

You can buy unrefined fair trade and sustainable ingredients for my bacuri body butter recipe online from Paris Fragrances.

For skin care recipes similar to my natural bacuri butter body butter recipe, be sure to follow Soap Deli News on Pinterest, G+, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Lifestyle Tagged With: anti-aging, bacuri butter, bath and body, body butter recipe, diy, gift idea, moisturizer, moisturizing, natural alternative, natural beauty, natural skincare, non-greasy, skin health, women over 40