10 Magical Essential Oil Beauty And Health Care Products To Make At Home

Photo©liudmilachernetska/123rf

Until the modern era, post-World War 2, most beauty and health products were either made at home or by a local alchemy practitioner. The ingredients all came from local flowers, plants, leaves, fruit and roots, and of course, it was all organic and non-GMO.  The knowledge of learning what plants to use for which ailment was passed down from generation to generation for centuries.  Much of this knowledge was lost once we started to modernize healthcare as a business, where the public was reliant on a store owner for providing what their ancestors had made themselves since the beginning of time.

After World War 2, shopping malls sprang up, consolidating many stores in one place, making this convenient for shopping. Then, once the Internet took off, many of these local stores were put out of business, as consumers became reliant on online shopping for many of their needs, including healthcare products.

All this has played a role in the diminishing quality of products. Products once considered organic now had to contain preservatives since they were stored in warehouses and shipped all over the world. In response, a growing trend of do-it-yourself beauty and health products has sprouted up.

Why Commercial Beauty And Health Products Can Be Toxic

Any product not made by you will have some type of preservative.  Most commercial products also contain artificial dyes for color along with added fillers or stabilizers.  While the European Union has banned many toxic chemicals used in cosmetics, the US still allows them.  The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has been grossly inept and lax when it comes to safety in products, often choosing corporate friends over science and citizens’ health. 

Some of the toxic chemicals used in common personal care products are those listed below, but there can be dozens used in one product.  Many labels don’t list all the ingredients because such a small amount is used and falls under the ‘inert’ listing. The term ‘inert’ implies inactive or has no effect, but if that’s true why add it at all? When it comes to safety no amount, regardless of FDA approval, is truly safe for a toxin like mercury, lead or formaldehyde.

Commonly used chemicals in cosmetics that should be avoided:
PARABENS endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal and cellular function
PHTHALATES  endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal and cellular function
FORMALDEHYDE known carcinogen and respiratory irritant
MINERAL OIL  sounds sublime and natural, but it comes from petroleum

Read more about the dangerous chemicals used in beauty products and how to avoid them. https://www.ewg.org/the-toxic-twelve-chemicals-and-contaminants-in-cosmetics
https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/

The Rise Of Do-It-Yourself Awareness

Over the past few years many studies have come to light about the long list of toxins used in commercial beauty and healthy products, including household cleaners.  As consumers learn about the rising incidents of cancer and other diseases from this exposure, the desire to go toxic free leads to greater awareness of making it yourself.

I’ve spent years creating my own skin toners, mouthwash, aftershave and facial masks for myself and others.  It’s a fun creative way to steer away from possible health problems and can often be less expensive. This allows one to customize any product to exactly what they need, especially for those with allergies and sensitivities that commercial products can make worse.

Essential Oils And Carrier Oils — The Basics

Before using any oil always test first by putting a dab on the top of your hand, which is well-weathered, to ensure no allergic reaction. Not every oil works for everyone one, and not everyone has the same results. Essential oils and herbs are designed to work with your body, not change it, force it to do something, or replace a normal function.

Many people choose essential oils either to enhance their use of commercial products or even to replace them entirely. All commercial products have some ingredient that isn’t natural, and many can be toxic with dangerous side effects. We can’t make every healthcare and beauty product ourselves, but many products we can make at home, and lower our exposure to toxins.

We can’t make every healthcare and beauty product ourselves, but many products we can make at home, and lower our exposure to toxins.

Grapeseed oil. Photo©amylv/123rf

Not every essential oil needs a carrier oil, but most do. A carrier oil helps to carry the essential oil’s properties onto your skin and dilute its potency. Coconut, almond, rosehip or jojoba are fine carrier oils for most people to use. Essential oil potency can vary widely, and reactions to individual oils, especially those with very sensitive skin. While many sources caution against using tea tree essential oil directly on the skin, I’ve used it for 30 years, and it works like magic on itchy bug bites instantly.

Always do a tiny skin test of 1 drop on your hand to check for a reaction, as everyone’s chemistry is different. This is another reason to make your own customized products; avoiding toxins is another. Homemade recipes also avoid testing on animals, which is cruel.

Easy Do-It-Yourself Health And Beauty Care Recipes

Below are some of the DIY homemade recipes I’ve created and used for years. They’re easy to try, and when using essential oil or dried flowers you actually use a lot less, because they’re stronger and purer than what you typically buy in stores. The bottle of most oils seems tiny, but when using only a few drops at a time it can last weeks or longer.

When using essential oil, it’s important to only use airtight, glass containers, and keep them out of direct sunlight. Bottles that are dark blue, green or amber are best because they block light and help preserve your oils naturally.

1. AFTERSHAVE
For a soothing aftershave especially for sensitive skin try this:
• Airtight 8oz glass container with 6oz  distilled
• 1/2 TBSP  apple cider vinegar raw unfiltered organic
• 1 TSPS  grapeseed extract
• 10  drops lavender oil
• 5  drops tea tree oil
• 2  drops chamomile oil

2. MOUTHWASH
Most contain dyes and sugar, so try this for fresh breath without the toxins:
• Airtight glass container 8oz or larger filled with boiled water
• 10 drops peppermint oil

After every brushing just swish and spit, leaving mouth and teeth fresh.

3. SKIN TONER
For glowing skin:
• Small glass bowl to mix
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops chamomile oil
• 5 drops plantain oil

Mix together and massage into skin, leave on all day or overnight.

4. BUG BITE REMEDIES
To help with itching and burning try this:
• 1 drop Tea tree oil takes away the itch of many insect bites (I’ve used it for 30 years).
• A dot of fresh aloe vera from a plant is also soothing.

5. HAIR VOLUMIZER
To add volume to hair without harsh chemicals or blow dryers try this:
• Small glass bowl to mix
• 5 drops rosemary oil
• ½ teaspoon coconut oil

Mix together with your fingers and apply to wet hair. Massage for 5 minutes in hair before rinsing. Use with every shampoo

6. DEEP CONDITIONING HOT OIL HAIR TREATMENTS
To nourish and soften your hair, and leave it tangle free try this:
Massage room temperature coconut oil well into all of your hair. Add an essential oil like lavender or orange for a pleasant smell. Wrap your hair in towel, and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse and wash with shampoo.

7. FOOT SOAK
For a soothing soak after a long day try this:
Fill a plastic or glass container, large enough for 2 feet, with water as warm as you can stand. Add 10 drops peppermint or spearmint oil. Soak until water cools.

8. FRAGRANCE
For a fresh scent:
Fill a glass spray bottle with organic vanilla bean, almond or orange extract.

Photo©yatomo/123rf

8. AIR FRESHENER
Replace the smell of artificial chemicals with a fresh natural scent that can be used anywhere:
For a fresh pine scent, fill a wide mouth glass jar halfway with water and add 10 drops of peppermint or spearmint oil. Add optional pine needles. Float a lighted tea candle on the water.

For a warm happy aroma, fill a wide mouth glass jar with pine cones, dust with powdered cinnamon and 5 drops of vanilla extract. Shake lightly to release the scent.

10. POTPOURRI
No breathing in harsh chemicals sprayed into the air.
In a wide mouth glass jar, add dried flower leaves like rose, lavendar or jasmine and dried, chopped orange or lemon peel. Add 10 drops if using a single essential oil like orange, vanilla, jasmine or lavender, or 5 drops of each if using a variety of oils. Add 1 TBLS of powdered cinnamon and lightly shake. The scent should be subtle and last about a month

Be creative have fun enjoy making something uniquely designed only for you. Your health and looks will thank you for it.

Staci-lee Sherwood is a lifelong preservationist, environmentalist and animal advocate. She is a published writer, blogger and poet, who writes poetry for fun and investigative articles to educate and motivate people into action at www.realitycheckswithstacilee.com. Staci-lee is an avid photographer and hiker who calls the East Coast home with her rescue kitties. 

Find Natural Beauty Care in the Spirit of Change online Alternative Health Directory.

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