Thank you all for following our Summer Skincare advice information and recipes over the past two weeks on our social media - I hope you found it useful. If you missed it not to worry we wanted to get it all in one place for you so you can refer to it whenever you need it!
Firstly when you are out in the sun it is always important to make sure you apply a good Sun Lotion, this is the most important thing as the sun’s UV rays have such a damaging effect on your skin, the NHS recommends buying a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB rays, and a minimum of four-star UVA protection.
Some Carrier oils can offer some FDA protection but most have such useful benefits in looking after our skin especially after being in the sun.
Coconut carrier oil aids tanning but does not filter the sun’s rays.
Hazelnut carrier oil acts as a natural sun filter with a factor equivalent to 10 in the FDA Category.
Macadamiacarrier oil protects from the ageing effects of the sun.
Olive, sesame and avocado carrier oils mixed together in equal proportions make a blend which affords some protection from the sun.
We have all been there, burnt, red, sore, irritated or itchy skin gets us heading to the fridge to grab some after sun! However, it easy to create your own blends depending on your skin and possible irritations
Almond, Aloe Vera and Coconut combined into White Lotion or Blending Cream Base. Use soothing, cooling and regenerative essential oils to enhance the blend.
Aloe Vera Gel
A Base Gel containing Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera. This is a very soothing, cooling gel that is excellent for the eye area to reduce swelling and redness. Aloe vera gel is also used for sunburn, eczema, healing and calming. Apply the gel directly onto skin abrasions, cuts, sunburns, scalds, blisters, cold sores, rashes, and insect bites to help fight bacteria and avoid infection. The gel also has the ability to soothe pain and regenerate skin cells to promote healing with no or little scaring. Apply aloe gel 2-3 times a day to the area/wound until it is healed.
Aloe vera gel with german chamomile, lavender (true or spike) and peppermint helps to soothe and take the heat out of the skin.
Shower or Bath products:
Put carriers into Bath Foam Base or Shower Gel Base along with a selection of the same essential oils to compliment your After Sun Lotion or Cream
Miliaria (heat rash & prickly heat)
Use anti-irritants and sudorifics along with anti-inflammatories. Hydrolats are really great for this using: Peppermint, Lavender, Frankincense, Hyssop, Chamomile – German or Roman and Sandalwood.
💧 Peppermint: Cooling, anti-inflammatory, combats itches & stings
💧 Lavender: Soothing, antiseptic, also calms sunburn, good for all skin types.
💧 Frankincense: Useful for damaged skin & calming.
💧 Hyssop: Anti-allergic, hypo-allergenic also useful for eczema.
💧 Chamomile Roman: Calms the skin, Rosaceae, burns, mildly astringent.
💧 Chamomile German: Useful eczema, psoriasis and allergic skin conditions.
💧 Sandalwood: Beneficial for dry damaged skin
Hydrolats are really gentle on the skin they contain microscopic drops of the essential oil as they a product from steam distillation of essential oils. (Also known as hydrosols)
Here are some suggested oils that are great for insect bites and to repel insects.
Insect Repellants
Citronella Essential Oil - Antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidial, fungicidal & insectiside.
Eucalyptus Citriodora Essential Oil - Antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, fungicidal & insecticide.
Lemongrass Essential Oil - Analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal & nervine.
Insect Bites & Stings
Cornmint Essential Oil - Anaesthetic, antimicrobial, antiseptic & antispasmodic.
Tea Tree Essential Oil - Anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, fungicidal & parasiticide.
Lavender Essential Oil - Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitoxic, parasiticide & insecticide
Melissa Essential Oil - Bactericidal & insect repellent,
Niaouli Essential Oil - Antiseptic & bactericidal
Cornmint is a wonderful and versatile essential oil and perfect to use in the summer.
Due to its anaesthetic properties, Cornmint is excellent insect bites and for cooling the skin.
Blending Cream Base
This light, easy-to-use base can be used as a base for butters, clays, gels, carrier oils, essential oils and natural ingredients such as egg and oatmeal. It is an essential part of the skin-care blender’s kit and can form the basis of many recipes.
White Lotion
Create your own unique blends and aromas to suit you or your client's needs and ailments, simple and easy to use lotion base for versatile blends. This lotion is natural and is made up entirely of vegetable products. Being non-greasy and easy to apply, it is a perfect carrier for Essential Oils.
Here are two super handy recipes for dealing with insects this summer ☀️🦟 Simple rollerball blends that it great to have on the go, anywhere you might need them and they are small enough to pop in your pocket!
Frankincense & Carrot
This duo is perfect for looking after your skin this summer, their properties will help to nourish, heal and calm the skin as well as being rich in vitamins.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Carrot Carrier Oil
Frankincense & Carrot Cleanser ( To be used before bed)
You will need A whisk or hand mixer, double boiler (Or a saucepan inside a larger one filled halfway with water) and a mixing bowl.
Ingredients
🌿 40ml Shea butter
🌿 15ml Sunflower or Macadamia Carrier Oil
🌿 3ml Carrot seed Carrier Oil
🌿 8 Drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
🌿 4 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
🌿 3 Drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Method
1. In a double boiler (or a saucepan inside a larger one filled halfway with water) Melt your 40ml of Shea over medium heat until completely liquefied, stirring frequently.
2. Take the saucepan off the heat and mix in the carrier oils, then transfer to a bowl for a hand or stand mixer and place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Do not let it solidify - you want it to firm up to the consistency of softened butter on top.
3. Remove from the fridge whip using a whisk or hand blender until it becomes fluffy adding in your Essential Oils as you do.
4. Store in a glass airtight jar or container. Store in a cool place & Enjoy!
For all recipes- Measure the white lotion into a measuring cup and add the essential oils and carrier oils carefully. Blend thoroughly and empty into a clean airtight jar.
Hand Lotion – normal skin
20mls of White Lotion
2 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil
2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops of Geranium Essential Oil
Hand Lotion – cracked skin
17mls of White Lotion
3mls Avocado Carrier oil
2 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil
2 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil
2 drops of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Nail Strengthening Cream
15mls White Lotion
5mls Calendula Carrier Oil
2 drops Palmarosa Essential Oil
2 drops Canadian balsam Essential Oil
2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Foot Balm
20mls White Lotion
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Athletes Foot Cream
17mls White Lotion
3mls Echinacea Carrier Oil
2 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 drops Canadian balsam Essential Oil
2 drops Tagetes Essential Oil
Dilutions for different types of applications
100mls of Lotion, Oil or Base product - 30 Drops of Essential oil
10mls Pure Essential Oils for Inhalation or Bath Use -4-10 Drops to create the desired effect
Vapouriser - 4 - 10 drops of essential oil in freshwater
Face Cream -1 drop to every 10MLS of Cream, so the oils do not irritate the eyes.
Room Spray or Insect Repellent - 6 - 10 drops per litre of water or hydrolat in a fine spray dispenser
Dilutions for children: half the doses for 2 – 12-year-olds, a quarter for babies to 2 years
