Category: E-COURSES

e-Course: DIY Lotion Making

First off, I want to thank everyone for the wonderful response to my latest column series, “Lotion Making Month”, on hellogiggles.  I’ve received a lot of great comments and emails asking about the ingredients used in lotion and options for substitutions.  It got me thinking and I’ve decided to put together an e-course for lotion making!

I’ll talk about each type of ingredient and tell you how it works, why it works and what you can substitute it with.  I’ll post a new section each week…up first: “Base and Carrier Oils”.  Look for it soon!

Thanks again for all of the lovely support!

Homemade: Easy, All-Natural, pH Balancing Facial Toner

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It’s a bonus week for Sundays Homemade!  Now that you’ve brewed your own Herbal Floral Water, you’ve got a bi-product that shouldn’t be lost down the drain.  Turn it into an all-natural, pH balancing facial toner that’s great for all skin types, especially combination and acne prone skin.

You’ll Need:

  • 4 cup, seal-able container (I prefer a large mason jar)
  • 2 cups reserved Herbal Floral Water (dark water)*
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 10 drops peppermint oil

*If you haven’t made the Herbal Floral Water and would like to make this toner: simmer herbs (see herbal floral water for suggested herbs) in distilled water for 1-2 hours, then follow the steps below.

  1. Strain the boiled herbs and their dark water through a fine-mesh strainer, lined with cheese cloth, into a large mason jar.
  2. Add the vinegar and peppermint oil, seal the jar and shake.
  3. After cleansing your face, apply toner and let dry before applying any lotions or creams.

I like to pour some of the final mixture into a container with a smaller opening than the mason jar, making it easier to wet a cloth or cotton pad, for application. The vinegar will act as a preservative, so the smaller batch does not need to be refrigerated; however, I do like to store the remaining mixture in the refrigerator.

Home Brewed: Herbal Floral Water

DIY: Brewing Herbal Floral Water

(Scroll down to view a video version of these instructions)

Growing up, I always adored shelves filled with bottles of potions, lotions and brews.  I’ve always been drawn to cabinets lined with jars of herbs, colorful glass bottles, cork stoppers and wooden spoons. Now I am the proud owner of many of these things and there is nothing I enjoy more than creating a new home brew on a rainy Sunday morning.

On this drizzly Sunday morning, I bring you a recipe for a fragrant and oh-so-useful herbal floral water. This water can be used alone as a facial toner, astringent or aftershave, or mixed with additional ingredients to create customized, all natural skin care products.

I like to use the following herbs for my herbal floral water:

  • 3 parts Calendula Flowers – natural acne healing and prevention, good for oily, blemish prone, combination and normal skin types
  • 2 parts Chamomile Flowers – soothing for acne and blemishes, good for all skin types
  • 1 part Yarrow – soothing for acne and blemishes, good for oily, blemish prone, combination and normal skin types
  • 1 part Rosemary – especially good for oily and combination skin
  • 1 part Sage – especially good for oily and combination skin
  • 1 part Lemon Balm – especially good for normal skin types
  • 1 part Rose Petals – any skin type, especially good for dry skin
  • 1/2 part Comfrey Root – soothing and healing for acne and blemishes, good for all skin types