As the weather gets colder, my skin gets drier. I can’t simply wash dishes barehanded anymore and must use rubber gloves to protect them. I need to apply moisturizer several times a day or cracks start to develop around my nails and fingertips. Healing moisturizing cream becomes necessary to maintain healthy skin. Over the years, I have developed a lovely cream ~ Soothe Thy Skin ~ which moisturizes, nourishes and heals my dry and cracked hands. It is so gentle that I also use it on my face and anywhere else I may need some healing and moisture.
Making cream tends to be a bit more challenging than making other herbal remedies like salves or tinctures. The recipe needs to be made precisely, remember you are mixing water and oil together, which normally does not mix well. The basic recipe I use was developed by Dina Falconi, which I have put my little spin on.
Basically, you need a liquid carrier oil, solid oil, beeswax and water. For the carrier oil, I infuse Calendula and Comfrey into first cold pressed organic olive oil. For the solid oil, I use organic coconut oil. Lastly, for the water, I use distilled water because it reduces the risk of bacteria developing and the cream going bad. And after all the hard work that goes into the cream, you want it to last a long time. Some people put essential oils into their creams, sometimes I do too. But most of the time I like the cream as it is without a an added scent.
For soothing and repairing the skin, Calendula (Calendula offficnalis) and Comfrey (Symphytum officnale), are winners. Calendula is a powerful wound healer and promotes cell repair while its antiseptic properties keep infections from occurring. It helps heal wounds faster by increasing oxygen flow to the damaged area, which in turn helps the body grow new tissue. It also stimulates collagen production to help heal the body’s tissues and is high in flavonoids (plant-based anti-oxidants) that protect cells from being damaged by free radicals. Comfrey fosters the growth of new cells and is anti-inflammatory as well as mucilaginous, which soothes inflamed tissues.
Equipment Needed:
- (2) Pyrex measuring cups
- Saucepan
- Food processor with dough attachment
- Small jars with covers (preferably glass)
- Rubber spatula
- Chopstick
- Candy thermometer
The Basic Face and Hand Cream Recipe:
Basic ingredients
6 oz liquid oil (ie: olive, jojoba, almond, grapeseed, apricot…)
3 oz solid oil (ie: coconut, shea butter, lanolin…)
1 oz beeswax
9 oz water (ie: distilled, spring, tap…)
Soothe Thy Skin Recipe
(will make 19 ounces of luscious cream)
Remember: it is very important to be precise with this recipe. From start to cleanup, you will need 3 uninterrupted hours.
1. In one of the measuring cups, pour in 4oz. of Calendula infused olive oil and 2oz. of Comfrey infused olive oil. You will now have 6oz of liquid oil.
Liquid oil = 6oz.
2. Then add 3oz of coconut oil and finally 1oz of beeswax. Your ingredients will total 10oz.
Liquid and Solid oil = 9oz.
3. Put measuring cup full of oil/wax mixture in a saucepan with about 2 inches of water, like a double boiler.
Melting Liquid oil, Solid oil and Beeswax = 10oz.
4. Stir oil/wax mixture as it is melting.
5. Once it has melted remove from heat and let cool to about 100° F
6. In other measuring cup, heat distilled water until it reaches 100° F and remove from heat.
It is very important that both the oil and water are about 100° F in order for them to mix well. While oil/wax mixture and water are cooling down to 100° F, wipe down all parts of the food processor with rubbing alcohol before using them to help ensure it is clean. We do not want anything other than our ingredients in our cream.
7. Pour all the water into the food processor using the dough attachment.
8. Turn on food processor and slowly pour oil in. Keep mixing until the cream begins to emulsify. Occasionally, scrap sides and mix some more until you have fully emulsified cream.
Luscious Cream!
9. Pour into clean/dry glass jars.
10. Let sit undisturbed overnight.
11. Enjoy silky moisturized skin!
Cleanup hint: Vinegar and Dawn dish detergent are great for cutting through the greasy film on the food processor.
All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Seventeen years ago, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is one of the lucky ones. After removing the entire lung, chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a whole bunch of other things, she was proclaimed cancer free within six months of her diagnosis. Cancer free is always music to the ears after a battle with cancer. Nevertheless, I am not writing about cancer today, I am writing about a simple tool that helped us navigate and get through the medical labyrinth with relative ease. We still use it today.