Greetings from the land of winter! We had a bit of a temperature drop. Followed by dry air. Which led to dry-as-the-desert skin. And due to these sudden changes, and as the icing on the cake, I’ve now also got a massive pimple and a cold sore. Have I mentioned that I should be living in the tropics, not Siberia?
It’s the perfect time to post my newest DIY recipe, however. This oil serum is a miracle for the skin and is suited for all skin types; especially very dry, atopic, ageing, sensitive, and dull skin. It will literally save your skin in these subzero temperatures.
The ingredients for the oil are very potent, and a product containing them all would cost you a pretty penny at the store. Making it at home will only set you back a few euros, however.
Genuine Beauty Oil
10 ml argan oil
10 ml nightly primrose oil
10 ml apricot kernel oil
1.5 ml (42 drops) pomegranate CO2 extract
3 drops blue tansy oil
2 drops jasmine absolute
3 drops lavender oil
2 drops frankincense oil
1 drop myrrh oil
1 drop geranium oil
1 drop vitamin E
Transfer all ingredients into a clean glass bottle with a pipette, and shake well. Store in a dark place. Use on clean skin after toner, on top of your serum of choice, under a moisturizer, or even mixed into the moisturizer. You can also smooth a drop of this onto your skin before applying makeup.
The pomegranate CO2 extract, jasmine absolute, blue tansy oil, and vitamin E were purchased at the French online store Aroma Zone; other essential oils are available at natural health stores. Not all essential oils are of good quality, however – I personally use oils from Neal’s Yard Remedies, because their quality is guaranteed.
A Short Guide to the Ingredients
Pomegranate CO2 extract: supercritical CO2 extraction is a way to extract essential oils when steam distillation isn’t an option. The method is also used as an alternative to cold-pressing, as it helps to preserve more of the active ingredients in the manufacturing process of certain vegetable oils – including pomegranate extract. The extract soothes the skin, decreases redness, and is rich in age and UV-damage repairing antioxidants. It also helps to renew the skin, strengthens the epidermis, and repairs damaged and scarred skin.
Blue tansy oil: Moroccan chamomile or blue tansy gets its deep blue color from the plant’s high azulene content. Azulene calms infected, damaged, and irritated skin, and is great for eczema. It has a sweet and sophisticated floral scent.
Jasmine absolute: As jasmine flowers are too delicate for steam distillation, oil made from the blossoms is extracted instead – hence the name jasmine absolute. The floral scented jasmine absolute is very expensive. It’s aromatherapeutic effects include balancing the nervous system, elevating the mood, and boosting self-confidence. Jasmine contains skin-repairing antioxidants, and is well-suited for sensitive, burning, and blemished skin with psychosomatic breakouts.
Lavender oil: Lavender oil is antiseptic and soothes infections. It is suited for all skin types, with its sebum production regulating properties making it especially beneficial for blemished skin. Lavender oil is relaxing, balancing, and relieves stress.
Frankincense oil: Frankincense oil has cell-renewing and wrinkle smoothing properties that make it ideal for ageing skin. It also brightens and evens the skin tone, and calms the mind.
Myrrh oil: Myrrh oil is soothing, antiseptic, prevents infections, and repairs the skin.
Geranium: Geranium regulates sebum production, cleanses and refreshes the skin, minimizes pores, and is suited for all skin types. It also helps to repair damaged skin. Like most flower oils, geranium is a calming and relaxing mood-booster.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that promotes skin cell oxidation and moisture-binding. Excellent for couperosa and rosacea skin, as it improves microcirculation in the skin. Vitamin E firms the skin and protects it from UV-damage. It also prevents oils from going rancid, and is therefore an excellent preservative.
Any of you getting excited about DIY cosmetics yet?
Photos Katja Kokko
Translation Katja Nikula
