Tag Archive | skin care

ROSE Skin Tonics

Feb19

"ROSE Skin Tonics"Rose Water Skin Tonic – one of the oldest skin-fresheners discovered by an Arabian dermatologist in the tenth century – in Victorian times rose water was mixed with glycerin for use as a skin softening treatment.
Rose Water is still used today in many beauty products from toners to soaps to lotions to sea salts and is very easy to make.

How to make:

Make rosewater from freshly picked roses either from your garden or from your local florist.

Remove the petals from the roses and thoroughly rinse in cool water to remove any debris and pesticides.  If you are unable to get fresh rose petals you can use rose hips or rose otto essential oil from any company that sells essential oils such as MountainRoseHerbs.com. If you use rose otto essential oil just add about 4 drops of the essential oil to 8 ounces of spring water and refridgerate.

Supplies needed: 

  • Between three and five roses (approx. 5 rose hips).
  • 2 cups of spring water
  • Heat resistant glass bowl or pouring cup and cover.  I use an extra-large pyrex measuring cups.
  • Wide mouthed glass jar
  • Cheesecloth, cotton gauze or kitchen strainer.

Instructions:

  1. Remove the petals from the roses to gather one, packed cup of rose petals.
  2. Put the roses petals in  heat-resistant glass bowl and cover with two cups of boiling water.
  3. Cover the bowl with a plate or cover to a pot. 
  4. Let the rose mixture sit for  25 – 30 minutes.
  5. Pour the water into the wide mouth glass jar straining the mixture in cheesecloth or kitchen strainer (to collect petals).
  6. Discard the rose petals. I throw in my yard.
  7. To keep rosewater longer, after it has cooled add 1 tablespoon of alcohol, (vodka works) to the mixture as a preservative – shake well.  Rosewater will keep for about 4 weeks on a shelf and longer if stored it in  refridgerator.  If no preservative is used, rosewater will keep for 7-10 days.

You can mix equal parts rosewater with glycerin and put in a decorative bottle, which also makes a nice gift. 

Rosewater can be stored in a plastic spray bottle for a refreshing mist, an excellent way to keep your skin hydrated.
 

Yarrow For Beautiful Skin

Jan21

"Yarrow - Protection Against Evil" People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us. – Iris Murdoch

Yarrow – For Beautiful Skin  Yarrow is a wonderful herb with many uses, and it’s so easy to grow.  Just check out your local garden center for the seeds.  In this issue you will find some simple skin and hair care products you can make at home from yarrow.

Cleanser For Oily Skin:

Place a tablespoon of yarrow in a bowl and fill the bowl half full with boiling water. Lean over the bowl, and cover your head with a towel so that no steam escapes. You should be 12-18 inches from the water. After steaming, splash your face with cool water and pat dry.

For added benefit, you could add one or more of the following herbs:

Stimulating Herbs: Rosemary, Sage, Mint
Healing Herbs: Comfrey, Thyme
Soothing Herbs: Lavender, Chamomile

Yarrow and Chamomile Compress:

1 teaspoon of dried yarrow flowers
1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers
1 cup of boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the herbs and steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and discard. Cool the liquid to a comfortable temperature. Dip a tea towel into the liquid and squeeze out the excess.

Rinse your face in lukewarm water. Place the towel over your face and relax for 15-20 minutes. Pat your face dry. If you want to apply a moisturizer afterwards, choose one that doesn’t contain alcohol.

Tip: You can also use this compress to soothe rough, red, or cracked hands.  If your hands are dry, coat with almond oil before applying compress.