Skin Care

Every day, the average woman applies 515 synthetic chemicals to her body. Products like shampoos, hairsprays, body lotions, deodorants, makeup, and even perfumes contain these harmful chemicals. Linked to a large number of health problems, they cause everything from skin irritation and allergic reactions to cancer and issues having children. There is a lot of concerning research regarding these chemicals, but companies continue to use these dangerous toxins because they are cheap and there are often no laws restricting them (yet).

The best way to protect yourself is to become informed and DIY your own products where possible using natural ingredients. Here are seven dangerous chemicals that are hidden in popular skincare products and how you can identify safer alternatives.

1. Parabens

Parabens are cheap preservatives used in a wide range of cosmetic products. They prevent bacteria, mold, fungus, and even parasites from growing. Almost 60% of all cosmetic products contain parabens.

Best Alternatives: Vitamin E, rosemary extract, fermented radish root, grapefruit seed extract, sodium benzoate, and antioxidant oils such as almond, avocado, and hemp seed oil.

2. Fragrance

Fragrances (or perfume) are in nearly 50% of all cosmetic products. These blends of aromatics, which give beauty products their trademark scents, are often chemical cocktails.

Best Alternatives: fragrance-free or unscented products and high-quality essential oils

3. Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make products more liquid and less dry. You can find these in products like nail polish, detergents, toys, shampoos, creams, and moisturizers. 

Best Alternatives: Avoid products with fragrance, use products in glass containers.

4. Triclosan

Triclosan (also known as Microban) is another chemical commonly used as a preservative in skincare products. Any skincare product that claims to have anti-bacterial properties likely includes triclosan.

Best Alternatives: Essential oils such as thyme, rosemary, lavender, and citrus.

5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

SLS is one of the most common ingredients used in shampoos, soaps, body washes, and just about anything that creates a thick foam. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is in up to 90% of skincare products.

Best Alternatives: SLS-free formulations, foam-free natural products, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, saponified carrier oils or castile soaps (such as coconut, olive oil, and sunflower oils).

6. Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol (also known as PG) is an ingredient in a variety of liquid skincare products, as well as in antifreeze, brake fluid, and paints. PG may allow harmful chemicals to seep further into your skin and bloodstream than they could otherwise do on their own.

Best Alternatives: Vegetable glycerin.

7. Petroleum & Mineral Oils (Petrochemicals)

Used in skincare products for a variety of reasons, petrochemicals have been linked to major health concerns.

Best Alternatives: Natural moisturizers such as vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, raw honey, and shea butter.

Body Butter

• 1/2 (125g or 4oz) cup shea butter
• 1/2(125g or 4oz)  cup cocoa butter
• 1/2 cup oil of choice  (coconut, almond, jojoba, hemp or olive)
• 10-30 drops of essential oils of choice (optional)

1. Place the butters in a double boiler to soften (not melt) or microwave for 1-2 mins
2. Turn your mixer on medium and begin breaking up the butter. Continue to mix until it softens.
3. Add the oils to the mixing bowl and use a spatula to mix in the coconut oil slightly.
4. Turn the mixer on low and mix in the coconut oil. Gradually begin to increase the speed and mix for about 1 minute until the butter and coconut oil are combined.
5. Use a spoon to transfer the butter into jars. To use, place a small amount of butter on dry skin and rub in to absorb. Store this butter in a cool, dry place. If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to store the butter in the fridge to prevent melting. Enjoy!

Turmeric Body Butter

Serves: 20 oz. butter

• Three 8 oz. Jars
• 16 oz. Shea Butter
• 1 tsp Tumeric
• 3 oz. Coconut Oil
• 3 mL Ginger Essential Oil
• 2 Tbsp. Arrowroot Powder

6. Place shea butter in a double boiler to soften (not melt) or microwave for 1-2 mins
7. Turn your mixer on medium and begin breaking up the butter. Continue to mix until it softens.
8. Add 3 ounces of melted coconut oil to the mixing bowl and 1 tsp of turmeric powder. Use a spatula to mix in the coconut oil slightly.
9. Turn the mixer on low and mix in the coconut oil. Gradually begin to increase the speed and mix for about 1 minute until the butter and coconut oil are combined.
10. Add 3 mL of ginger essential oil and 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. Use a spatula to gently fold in the powder. Then, use the mixer to whip the butter for about another minute to fully incorporate all the ingredients.
11. Use a spoon to transfer the butter into jars. To use, place a small amount of butter on dry skin and rub in to absorb. Store this butter in a cool, dry place. If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to store the butter in the fridge to prevent melting. Enjoy!

Other oils combinations you could try for this recipe are as follows:

• Magnesium Body Butter– Get the benefits of magnesium with this therapeutic version
• Vanilla Mint Chocolate Massage Butter– Add vanilla & mint oils to keep romance alive
• Lavender Mint Herbal Body Butter– Add Marshmallow root and calendula flowers to make an extra nourishing skin butter
• Orange Blossom Body Butter– Add some citrus and woody oils to wake up your senses
• Christmas Body Butter – Add to the base recipe 10 drops each of frankincense and myrrh essential oils plus 1 teaspoon gold mica powder

Skin moisturising massage bars

• Pink Rose Petals
• 6.4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
• 4.8 oz. White Beeswax
• 4.8 oz. Cocoa Butter Wafers
• 4 mL Vanilla Select Fragrance Oil
• Digital kitchen scales

1. In a heat-safe container, add 4.8 ounces of white beeswax and 6.4 ounces of sweet almond oil. Melt in the microwave using 60 second bursts.
2. Add 4.8 ounces of cocoa butter wafers to the hot wax and oil mixture. Stir until the cocoa butter melts. If there are small pieces that won’t melt, place the container back in the microwave and heat using 10 second bursts.
3. Add 4 mL of Vanilla Select Fragrance Oil and stir in thoroughly.
4. Place a small pinch of rose petals into each mould cavity. Use a spoon to cover the petals with a bit of the oil mixture (this helps the petals stay in place). Allow to cool and harden for about 1 minute.
5. Carefully pour the remaining oil mixture into each cavity. Place the mould in the freezer so it cools quickly. That helps prevent crystallization.
6. Remove from the freezer after 30-60 minutes and enjoy!

Anti-Aging Face Cream

• ¼ cup almond oil.
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil.
• 1 teaspoon beeswax.
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil.
• ½ cup melted shea butter.
• Essential oils of choice (optional).

1. Place shea butter, wax and almond/coconut oils in a glass bowl.
2. Set the glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to create a double boiler. Melt all ingredients together.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4. Add in essential oils and vitamin E oils.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Face moisturising cream

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops sandalwood oil
• 5 drops yarrow pom oil

1. Place shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil in a glass bowl.
2. Set the glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to create a double boiler. Melt all ingredients together.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4. Add in essential oils.
5. Store in an airtight container.

Face cream (Romanian)

• 1 teaspoon beeswax – melted
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil
• 1 teaspoon mango butter
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil

1. Place wax in a glass bowl.
2. Set the glass bowl over a pot of boiled water to create a double boiler. Melt the wax first, then the coconut, grapeseed and mango butter. Leave it for 10 mins to cool.
3. Mix gel and vitamin oil together separately. Add to the cooled mix.
4. Add in 5 drops of chosen essential oil.
5. Store in a glass airtight container.

Magnesium lotion

• 1/2 cup magnesium flakes
• 1/8 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons beeswax
• 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

1. Place the magnesium flakes in a small bowl and pour boiling water over the top of them. Stir until the flakes are dissolved. Set aside.
2. Melt the coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Add the lavender essential oil and magnesium to the melted coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter.
4. Whip the lotion using an immersion blender or a small hand mixer. Store in a glass mason jar with an airtight lid.

NB: a DIY double boiler can be made by placing a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Or to make clean up even easier you can place the ingredients straight into the jar that you are going to store it in and place the jar into a pot of simmering water to melt the ingredients. You can also use a crockpot to melt the ingredients.

Boosts immune system, sleep, digestion, depression, low blood pressure, inflammation, cramps and restless legs syndrome, morning sickness.

Body Lotion

• 3 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil or any other carrier oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
• 20 drops essential oils (reduce to 10 for children)
• Filtered or Distilled or Rose water (if needed)

1. Add shea butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax into a glass bowl.
2. Place the glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to melt all the ingredients.
3. Remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. You don’t want it to cool long, as it will harden.
4. Add the fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils to the glass bowl.
5. Mix all the ingredients using an immersion blender. Add water if needed.
6. Pour the lotion into a pumpable container.

Aftersun lotion

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup pure aloe vera gel
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• Double boiler
• Hand Mixer

1. Add the coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter to a double boiler. Melt over medium heat.
2. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. It will harden slightly but shouldn’t be firm. This will take a few hours. You can put the bowl in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
3. Add in the aloe vera gel slowly while mixing with a hand mixer.
4. Add in essential oil and continue to mix until aloe vera gel is completely mixed into the oils and wax.
5. Store in an airtight container.

Anti-aging serums

Face serum for normal skin

• 2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
• 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
• 5 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Face serum for dry skin

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
• 5 drops myrrh essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops frankincense essential oil

Face serum for oil skin

• 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
• 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops rose essential oil

Face serum or acne prone skin

• 2 tablespoons argan oil
• 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Face serum for sensitive skin

• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
• 5 drops rose essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops frankincense essential oil

1. Choose which serum recipe you plan to make.
2. Add all the ingredients to a glass dropper bottle and tighten the lid.
3. Shake well before each use to make sure all ingredients are well combined.

Under eye dark circles serum

• 4 drops frankincense
• 4 drops lavender
• 3 drops roman chamomile
• 3 drops rose
• 2 drops cypress
• 2 drops lemon
• Fractionated coconut oil
• 10ml roller bottle

1. Add all the essential oils to a 10mL glass roller bottle.
2. Top off with your favorite carrier oil.
3. Shake well before each use.
4. Apply under the eyes twice daily for best results.

Puffy Eye Serum

• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops of lemon oil
• 1/2-ounce rosehip oil
• 1/2-ounce pure aloe vera gel
• 5 ml bottle with rollerball

1. Combine the oils with the aloe vera gel in the bottle.
2. Shake well and apply under the eyes at night before going to bed.
3. Blend in with your finger.

Natural eye cream

• 1/8 cup coconut oil
• 10 drops vitamin E oil
• 10 drops essential oils (Best oils for wrinkles, fine lines, and bags under the eyes are frankincense, rose, lavender, cypress, and Roman chamomile.)

1. Mix all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
2. Transfer to an airtight container for storage

Essential oil precautions

Although essential oils are usually safe for daily use, there are precautions you should adhere to. Test for allergies first, before using any oil. Simply dab a bit on the inside of your wrist and wait for any reaction. Additionally, avoid putting essential oils in your eyes. That means when using essential oils under your eyes, stay away from the lash area. Always use a carrier oil when applying essential oil to the skin. Never use undiluted essential oils on your skin, as they may cause irritation. And of course, if you are pregnant or nursing, avoid using essential oils.