Do not purchase Witch Hazel from your local drug store, as that will be mostly alcohol. Buy it from a health food store or a aromatherapy [...]]]> Witch Hazel has been used medicinally for centuries. It is a common ingredient in cosmetics due to it’s healing, toning, anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities. It also makes a marvelous aftershave.

Do not purchase Witch Hazel from your local drug store, as that will be mostly alcohol. Buy it from a health food store or a aromatherapy supplier.

Although Vitamin E oil is often classified as a carrier oil, do not heat it. It should be added after the heat phase, at the same time you [...]]]> Vitamin E Oil is not just great for the skin. It prevents rancidity in cosmetics and serves as an anti-oxidant in a wide variety of cosmetic preparations.

Although Vitamin E oil is often classified as a carrier oil, do not heat it. It should be added after the heat phase, at the same time you would add your EO blend.

Carrier Oils

Nut Butters

Other Ingredients

Along with the above lists, many foods are [...]]]> Many of these items you can find at your local health food store.

Carrier Oils

• Almond Oil (sweet)

• Apricot Kernel Oil

• Avocado Oil

• Hazelnut Oil

• Jojoba Oil

• Olive Oil

• Rosehip Seed Oil

• Sesame Oil

• Wheat Germ Oil

Nut Butters

• Cocoa Butter

• Shea Butter

Other Ingredients

• Aloe Vera Gel

• Beeswax

• Borage Seed Oil

• Borax

• Clay

• Coconut Oil

• Dead Sea Salt

• Distilled Water

• Emulsifying Wax

• Evening Primrose Oil

• Glycerin (vegetable)

• Lanolin

• Liquid Castille Soap

• Rosewater

• Vitamin E Oil

• Witch Hazel

Along with the above lists, many foods are used cosmetically. Apple cider vinegar, avocado, baking soda, banana, brewer’s yeast, brown sugar, corn meal, corn starch, cucumber, dairy products (buttermilk, cream, milk, yogurt), eggs, honey, nuts (ground), oatmeal are a partial list. Some recipes also call for salt (Epsom, Kosher).

Lanolin easily [...]]]> Lanolin is obtained from the fat in sheep’s wool and is used as an emulsifier and emollient. It contributes moisture and is an effective treatment for cracked and /or extremely dry skin, split hair, and brittle fingernails. It is often combined with cocoa butter, which makes the lanolin less sticky and more easily absorbed.

Lanolin easily becomes rancid, so keep it refrigerated. Adding vitamin E oil and essential oils will improve the shelf life of your cosmetic preparations made with lanolin.