Nature's Cleansing Lotion

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
June 5, 2000

      The most fundamental requirement for a clear, fresh complexion is regular, thorough cleansing. In your daily regime, include a cleansing lotion and a rinse that remove dirt particles, dust, makeup and excessive oils from the surface of your skin without stressing it or drying it out.
      A good cleansing lotion contains botanical and essential oils that encourage the skin's own production of natural oils, which create a protective, moisturizing layer essential for healthy skin. Cleansing unclogs the facial pores so the skin can take in oxygen and nutrients, including those from toners and moisturizers you might use after cleansing.

Removing Eye Makeup
      To remove eye shadow and mascara, make a cleansing lotion of lavender-flower water mixed with sweet-almond oil. Then pour a little lotion onto a damp cotton pad and carefully swipe the eyelids. To remove all traces of lotion and dead skin cells, moisten a washcloth with warm water, wring it out and gently dab your eyelids.

Removing Lipstick
      With cleansing lotion for normal skin on a damp cotton pad, gently wipe your lips clean. This is especially good for removing "kiss-proof" lipsticks with minimal lipid content, the lotion's oily components remove color.

Application:
      Dampen your face, neck and upper chest with warm water. Apply a generous quantity of cleansing lotion and, beginning with your forehead, massage it into the skin with your fingertips, using circular, clockwise movements. This massage unblocks the lymph passages and helps remove impurities. After cleansing, rinse you skin with an ample amount of warm water and gently pat dry. You may want to use a moist wash cloth to remove all traces of the cleanser. You can make your own cleansing lotions (below) with basic ingredients available from health-food stores.

Lavender-flower water for conditioning
      Lavender-flower water soothes, heals and conditions all skin types. The flower water is obtained when the essential oil is extracted.

Sweet-almond oil for nourishment
      The fine oil obtained from sweet almonds (Prunus dulcis) has a mild, nutty scent and is an all-purpose base for many lotions. It conditions, softens and nourishes the epidermis, increasing elasticity.

Cocoa butter for protection
      Cocoa butter, a by-product of cocoa-bean processing, thickens lotions, lending a creamy consistency and a hint of its chocolate aroma. Suitable for all skin types, it is a protective emollient that prevents dehydration.

Orange essential oil for stimulation
      A delicate cleansing lotion made with the essential oil of oranges has a fresh and revitalizing scent. When applied to the skin, orange essential oil stimulates circulation.

TAKE CARE!
      If you have broken capillaries on your face, don't use hot or cold water for rinsing. Temperature extremes cause capillaries to dilate, resulting in a red weblike appearance across the cheeks and nose.


Making Cleansing Lotions

For normal skin


For blemished skin
For broken capillaries
  1. In a double boiler, heat the sweet-almond oil, cocoa butter and soy lecithin until the cocoa butter is just melted. Remove from heat.
  2. At the same time, heat the lavender-flower (or chamomile) water in a small saucepan. Stir in the borax until dissolved; remove from heat.
  3. When both mixtures have cooled, add the water mixture drop by drop to the sweet-almond mixture.
  4. Vigorously stir this emulsion until it has cooled to normal body temperature.
  5. Mix the essential oil into the emulsion. Pour into a clean 4 oz. bottle. The lotion will keep for approximately 4-6 weeks.
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Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D