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Skin Care Recipes

Basic skin care routine consists of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, exfoliating, and using sunscreen. Here are some natural products you can make at home. They do not take lots of time to make. Shelf life for most is 30 days, and some can be refrigerated to prolong shelf life. The real advantage is that there are no harsh ingredients in them, and you can splurge and buy the best ingredients for yourself.

Sara's Herbal Tea Blend for Healthy Skin
Enough herb for 30 cups.

The following infusion can be taken hot or cold. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals. All herbs are dried. If you do not have the herbs on hand, get them at a health food store.

2 TBS lemon balm
1 TBS peppermint
1 TBS rose petals
1 TBS alfalfa
1 tsp dandelion leaves
½ tsp gingerroot
1 TBS lavender flowers
1 TBS chamomile flowers
1 TBS stinging nettles
1 TBS rosehips
2 tsp raspberry leaves

Combine all the herbs in a bowl and blend them thoroughly. Store in a tight lidded jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Use within 6 months.

To make the infusion, boil the water. I like to make a quart at a time. Remove water from heat and add a tsp. of herb per cup of water. Let steep as long as you can-at least 20 minutes. Strain. Add honey or lemon for taste, if you wish.

Basic Cold Cream

1 oz of olive oil, jojoba, sweet almond, apricot kernel, or avocado oil
4 oz pure vegetable shortening (do not use lard)
5 drops tincture of benzoin
5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Put oil and vegetable oil in a glass measuring cup, and heat it in hot water until the shortening is melted. Remove from heat, and whisk in benzoin and essential oil. Whisk until cool and thick. Use about 2 tsp. per application. Use within 30 days, otherwise, refrigerate.

Violet Cleansing Cream

1 oz lanolin
1 oz cocoa butter
4 TBS sweet almond oil
Violet flower and leaf infusion

Make a strong infusion of violet flowers and leaves. Put the above ingredients in a double boiler over boiling water, and let them melt, stirring now and then. Remove, and add 4 TBS of the violet flower and leaf infusion. (You can also use lady's mantle or chamomile infusions.) Beat with an electric mixer until slightly cool. Pour into a screw top jar. Shake before using. .

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