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. In the first article of this series (Natural Cosmetics & Body Care part 1), we
discussed the advantages of using chemical-free cosmetics and
cleansers; the importance of knowing your skin and hair type and
using products specifically designed for you. Useful Equipment for Herbal Cosmetics This list is meant as a guide only. Avoid using aluminum,
copper and nonstick pans as they can affect the ingredients'
beneficial properties. Wire wisk or electric mixer Measuring cup Small funnel Pestle and mortar Blender Glass eye dropper Glass rods Clean dark glass bottles Measuring spoons Small glass (1 oz. beaker) Nylon sieve Measuring scales Juice extractor Wooden spoons Spatula Labels and pen Non-Herbal Ingredients Sources:Natural Cosmetics and Body Care
part 2 of 10
Soft and translucent, normal skin requires only a simple
care routine.
Taut and dry and with no shine, dry skin requires
moisturizer at an earlier age. It should be treated with
mild cleansers and with gentle care to avoid further
drying of the skin.
This has a definite shine and is supple. The pores are
open and the skin may look coarse and sallow. It needs
thorough cleansing, but this must be gentle to avoid
stimulating the sebaceous glands yet further.
This is the most common skin type with the pores on the
forehead, nose and chin larger than those on the rest of
the face. This "T" panel is oily and the
remainder of the face is dry. It is best treated as two
types of skin as described above.
All containers and utensils must be scrupulously clean. Ideally
they should be sterilized by being boiled or placed in a hot oven
for 10 minutes. Have a bowl of hot soapy water standing by to
wash off wax before it hardens. Otherwise, stand containers over
boiling water to re-melt traces of contents and wash.
Heatproof glassware or
pottery cookware
and jars with airtight lids
Enamel double boiler
The following can be bought at a grocery or pharmacy.
Derived from seaweed. Used to make gels.
A colorless, flavorless preservative and solvent. The
best alcohol for perfumery and least irritating to skin
is ethyl alcohol.
Acts as an emulsifier for oil and water in creams.
Usually sold in blocks.
A preservative, astringent and antiseptic.
A white, crystalline mineral powder used as an
emulsifier.
Used in face masks, soaps and body scrubs as a cleanser.
Available from healthfood stores. Soothing and
astringent.
A soothing alkaline lotion for skin problems.
A pure soap with no added color or perfume.
A thick fat from the cocoa bean, which makes a rich
emollient in creams.
Only pure water is suitable for making cosmetics.
A wax used to emulsify oil and water in creams.
A fine gray powder derived from single-cell algae found
on seabeds. Its absorbent properties and mineral richness
make it an excellent face mask.
A colorless, odorless, tasteless flue and rich source of
water-soluble protein, obtained by boiling animal bones.
Used in eye ointments and nail-hardening lotions. Agar
Agar is a vegetable substitute.
A thick, colorless, odorless syrup and by-product of soap
manufacture. It mixes with water, is soluble in alcohol
and has softening properties.
Softening, healing and binds other ingredients together.
Used as an antiseptic.
The purest form of clay, useful in face masks.
A thick, sticky fat obtained from sheep's wool. Softens
and nourishes the skin.
A mineral oil which is not absorbed by the skin, making
it useful in barrier creams.
See Bran
Almond, avocado, wheatgerm, carrot, coconut and nut
kernel oils are particularly skin-enriching.
An emulsifying liquid that can rescue separated creams.
A pale yellow translucent mineral jelly insoluble in
water. Used in lip salves.
Used in cosmetics to soften, cleanse and soothe the skin.
A convenient way of adding vitamins to skin creams.
A white powder derived from zinc with mild antiseptic and
astringent qualities. Usually available as an ointment.
Confidentiality Statement: (for anyone who does not respect
copyright and/or is confused regarding this issue)
The information, data and schematics embodied in the document are
confidential and proprietary, being exclusively owned by Ellen J. Lord (aka Purpleflame or Firefly). This document is being supplied
on understanding that it and its contents shall not be used,
reproduced, or disclosed to others except as specifically permitted
with the prior written consent of Ellen J. Lord. The recipient of
this document, by its retention and use, agrees to protect the same
from loss, theft, or unauthorized use.
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