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The Essentials

Your Amazing Skin + A DIY Oil-based Cleanser

If you've been reading any of these posts or posts on Just the Essentials, Please (our other blog), you know I am a HUGE FAN of oil-based cleansing. Today's DIY Wednesday post not only reminds you how remarkable your skin is, but also how to cleanse it with an oil-based cleanser you can make right in your own kitchen! It's a win-win all the way around!
Your Amazing Skin + A DIY Oil-based Cleanser

Think of your skin as beautiful silk PJ's you wear day and night. It shows-off your outer beauty and health to the world – and at the same time, it protects your insides from the outside environment.

As a general rule, your skin is designed to keep out more than it lets in, and it constantly receives and sends information to your brain and body. If something isn’t right (inside or outside), your skin will show it. If all is well, it displays radiance (what we all want!).

Skinformation:

Within 1 square inch of your skin:

  • 65 hairs
  • 9,500,000 cells
  • 95-100 oil glands
  • 650 sweat glands
  • 19 yards (57 feet) of blook vessels
  • 78 yards (234 feet) of nerves
  • 19,500 sensory cells at the ends of nerves
  • 1,300 nerve endings to feel pain
  • 165 sensors to feel touch
  • 78 sensors to feel heat
  • 13 sensors to feel cold

We are quite amazing, aren’t we?

To keep your skin and all its glorious functions at peak performance, you need to give it what it needs:

  • Daily cleansing
  • Maximum (proper) nutrition
  • Lots and lots of water
  • Regular detox (inside and out)
  • Daily movement
  • Some sunshine
  • Sound sleep

Today’s DIY Wednesday (even though it’s Thursday – sorry) focuses on Cleansing – and making your own DIY oil-based cleanser. It requires a few more ingredients than prior DIY recipes – but they are all easy to find at grocery, drug and health food stores (or Amazon).Without further ado...

Citrus Whipped Cleansing Cream

Yes, you can use an oil-based cleanser on oily and combination skin. (In fact – once you try oil-based cleansing, you will never go back!) The oils in the cleanser will actually dissolve and breakdown the dirt, oils and makeup on your skin. Like removes like!

If you feel that your skin needs additional cleansing, follow with a second application of this cleanser or another gentle cleanser of your choice.

Here’s what you will need:

  • 2 saucepans or microwave safe bowls
  • Blender
  • 1/4 Cup + 3 Tbsp coconut (or olive) oil
  • 1 Tbsp Shea butter
  • ½ Tbsp beeswax
  • 1/2 Cup lemon water or distilled water
  • 1/2 tsp glycerin
  • 5 capsules vitamin E oil (200 IU) (squeeze oil out of capsules)
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil*
  • 5 drops grapefruit essential oil*
  • 5 drops sweet orange essential oil*

*(If you don’t want to use three different essential oils, pick one and use 20 drops of it)

*(And, if you don’t want to use any essential oils, you don’t have to. However, these citrus oils do help with cleansing and purifying the skin.)

How to make it:

Combine the oil, Shea butter and beeswax in a saucepan and heat until just melted. (You can use a microwave, but heat and stir in 15-20 second bursts.)

In another pan, warm the hydrosol (or water) and glycerin, stirring gently. Remove both pans from the heat.

Pour the oil/butter/wax mixture into a blender and allow it to cool for approximately 20 minutes, or until it begins to turn slightly opaque. (This recipe works so much better if both the oils and water are at approx. the same temperature before combining.)

Transfer the oil mixture to a blender. Put the lid on and remove the lid’s plastic piece. With the blender turned on at a medium speed, start blending the oils.

Then, slowly drizzle the water/glycerin mixture into the swirling fats below. Almost immediately the cream will turn off white to very pale yellow and it will begin to thicken. Blend for 10 to 15 seconds, or until all the watery mixture has been added, then check the consistency of the cream. It should have a smooth, glossy texture.

Turn off the blender and add the vitamin E and essential oils. Blend for another 5 seconds or so, until the cream is smooth and thick. (If the oils and liquids are not combined, keep blending in 10 second bursts until they are.)

Ah, the magic of kitchen chemistry!

How to store it:

Transfer the cleanser to a small glass or plastic container. It will keep best in a dark, cool cabinet. Use within 60 to 90 days. If your storage area is very warm, please use the cleanser within 4 weeks for maximum freshness and potency. If you happen to notice any mold growing in your container - toss it immediately and make a fresh batch.

How to use it:

Using your fingers, apply approximately 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to DRY skin. Massage for about a minute. Rinse with warm water or wipe off with a warm, damp wash cloth.

Because this cleanser is very concentrated, a small amount goes a long way.

Repeat if necessary, especially if you are wearing heavy foundation or your skin is particularly dirty.

Enjoy the clean!

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