Natural cosmetics with their own hands


In the 21st century, shops offer cosmetics with liposomes and stem cells, and thousands of women enthusiastically mix creams in their kitchen. Definitely, there is something strange about this. Or maybe, on the contrary, it is absolutely normal? After all, at all times, natural cosmetics with their own hands was created with special trepidation and love. Because it is still appreciated.

Analysts of the global crisis have already calculated the two main trends in the cosmetic segment. Firstly, in the near future we will rarely turn to new brands of cosmetics: all the love and money will go to proven brands. And secondly, for many, the crisis will be the impetus for preparing the creams with their own hands. And judging by the fact that fashion for hand-made is more relevant than ever, it is still unknown which of the trends will be stronger.

Attention, an important point: it's not about "mix one yolk and five drops of cognac", "pour into the ice molds a decoction of parsley" and "cut the banana in circles, mash with a fork and apply on the face." These folk remedies, of course, are also natural, time-tested and quite effective. But they can not be called cosmetics in the full sense of the word, and they are not on everyone's lips today. Natural cosmetics - this is not a gruel from a couple of products and not a tray of herbal infusion, but full-fledged scrubs, lotions, creams and gels for different areas of the face and body. The main difference from industrial cosmetics: they do not contain preservatives, and all ingredients - only natural, selected specifically for your skin.

TWO POLES.

It would seem that today, with any budget, you can buy a nice bottle or jar. What is the impetus to the fuss with measuring spoons and electronic scales, to the desire to mix, shake, insist and evaporate? There are two main driving forces.

Curiosity. Among women of all ages there are always handicraftsmen, who gladly master decoupage, soap making, felt felting ... The last, by the way, for many - a transition stage to the production of home cosmetics: there is a need to develop new spaces, and the hand is already stuffed. Like any such hobby, mixing creams gives a lot of bonuses for the needlewoman: here and communicating with like-minded people, and creative self-realization.

Disappointment. Many are ready to try everything, for the sake of solving long-term skin problems. Or just disappointed in industrial cosmetics of any class ...

Both groups share one thing: all these women, once having compared the effect of store and hand-made creams, have decisively opted for the latter.

ACTUALLY!

Leading role in the popularity of natural cosmetics with their own hands was played by the world fashion for healthy and ecological. This applies to life, food, health, and, of course, beauty. Having read into the long list of ingredients of a simple moisturizer, many of us experience a shock! But it turns out: in its composition it is enough to include only from 0.01% to 0.5% of natural extracts - and the cream turns from industrial to natural.

Of course, the preservatives, stabilizers and dyes indicated on the label have passed all possible tests and are not harmful to health. But immediately a natural question arises: why? Why all this list of incomprehensible substances, if you can just mix your own skin with your own hands?

I HAS WRECKED OF WHAT IT WAS.

However, when it comes to practice, it turns out that "naturalness" and "simplicity" are not necessarily synonymous. Of a certain basis and biologically active components is absolutely any cream. The first delivers the active substances to the skin cells. The basis includes the so-called fat phase (it can be purified vegetable oil or a mixture of several) and water. To mix them together, you need a substance - an emulsifier. Most often, it is lecithin. Now it remains to add bioactive components, which, in fact, are designed to solve the problems of your skin: whiten, remove inflammation, fight free radicals ... A myriad of possible ingredients is known: extracts of herbs, minerals and essential oils. You will need to read a lot of books about the properties of oils and plants, while you will be able to calculate exactly what you need. Immediately accept that in the beginning you will have to spend a lot of strength and money "by." It is extremely difficult to find ideally suited components. The more pleasant it will be if you are lucky and the first hit is correct.

ARSENAL OF BEAUTY.

Without special education, you can make a cream, but without special equipment - it is already more difficult. The stages are the same in the workshop as in the kitchen: preparation of solutions and dispersions, heating, mixing of the aqueous and oil phases (homogenization), cooling with stirring. The main problem of home cosmetics is the insufficient uniformity of the finished product. You can, of course, use a mixer and a food processor, but where do they go to dispersers with a rotational speed of up to 26 LLC rpm, in which emulsions are produced for industrial creams! On the other hand, at home, the cream is not prepared in such quantity as in the shop, so if you try, you can achieve the desired consistency with the help of improvised tools. So, you will need:

• spoon made of stainless steel or plastic;

• 2 or 3 small pots;

• measuring cup (best of refractory glass). If you are seriously interested in making home cosmetics, buy a set of three pieces: 30, 50 and 250 ml;

• the most accurate scales - pharmacies or electronic ones are quite suitable;

• thermometer with a scale up to 130 ° C;

• a mini mixer (although it is sometimes quite vigorous to shake a tightly closed vessel with an emulsion);

• plastic or glass measuring spoon.

Do not forget to sterilize all these tools and utensils. For these purposes, medical alcohol is suitable. You can also do this with a sterilizer for baby bottles. Also sterilize the jar, in which you will spread the finished cream!

The home cream is stored for a maximum of a week, and only in the refrigerator. Do not cook more than 20-30 ml at a time. After all, firstly, this is a constant concern - every week you have to do a new portion. Secondly - there is an occasion for creativity: it did not work this time, next time I will change the recipe, and in a week I'll try a new ingredient. It is better to start with a cream not for the face, but for the body or hands. And for the first experiment, the oil mixture is best suited - cleansing, anti-inflammatory or nutritious.

A BATCH IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

At the dawn of her career, Esti Lauder personally prepared and packaged creams for each customer. One evening a frightened client called to her: her housekeeper, having confused the jars, decorated the cake with a culinary cream, and with a care cream! It turned out after supper, when the hostess climbed into the refrigerator for cosmetics.

Lauder reassured the woman: "Nothing will happen to your guests, the cream is made from natural products." Indeed, neither the taste, nor the color, nor the smell of creamy curls, did not embarrass the guests, and none of them complained of health. This history today is as relevant as possible. It makes sense to remember more often and adherents of home cosmetics, and supporters of the industrial, who chuckle at "natural", mixing creams at the stove. The hunt for laughter immediately disappears when you realize that Estee Lauder herself began to build her great cosmetic empire from home creams. But for amateur naturprodukta this historical anecdote - an extra reminder: industrial cosmetics - a natural continuation of the natural. What to choose is nothing more than a matter of taste. After all, everything that we do only for ourselves, necessarily brings results and makes us happier and more beautiful, whether it's time spent on a hand-made cream, or a four-figure sum left in a cosmetic boutique.

OPTION FOR NEWBIES.

You will need only 7-10 minutes to prepare this cleansing oil mixture for the face. Moreover, at this time includes the signing of the tag on the jar. It is necessary to take 1 tbsp. l. source (preferably sunflower) oil add 3-4 drops of essential oil (preferably lavender), mix thoroughly. Allow the mixture to brew for 24 hours and use 2 times a day - morning and evening. Just distribute 3-4 drops of the agent over the skin. The additive (essential oil) should be chosen in accordance with the type of skin.

OPTION FOR THE ADVANCED.

Having mastered the preparation of the oil mixture, you can proceed to this cream. For example, prepare a nourishing soothing cream for normal facial skin. The whole process will take about half an hour. You will need:

• 10 ml of jojoba oil (moisturizes and nourishes);

• 10 ml shea butter (moisturizes);

• 5g of beeswax (makes the solution more resistant);

• 10 ml of Neroli flower water (regenerates);

• 7 drops of chamomile essential oil (calming).

Melt the water bath wax. Add shea butter to the wax, mix thoroughly. Add the jojoba oil, stir again. Remove the dishes from the heat. Warm up the Neroli flower water in a water bath, fill the required volume with a syringe and add it in a drop to the mixture of oils, stirring constantly with a spoon. Whisk all with a mixer until smooth. In the cooled mixture, add chamomile essential oil. Mix the mixture again. The cream is ready, it remains to shift it into a jar.

RULES OF SUCCESS.

1. You should start with more fatty creams, which are based on oils: they are much easier to mix.

2. First you need to use no more than 3-4 components. At the same time, it is easier to follow the technology and to understand in time what a mistake was made in.

3. It is necessary to beat the mixture until completely cooled, without laziness. Only in case of severe fatigue can you make a small break.

4. Do not forget about the temperature regime.

5. You can use green tea instead of water, as well as broth karkade, chamomile or other herbs.