While this is not an exhausted list, it is a list of some ingredients that would be beneficial in any homemade product. I gathered this information form a variety of sources. If there are any inaccuracies (I am new at this) please let me know:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is one of the most useful products to have. The gel found within the leaves of this plant has remarkable properties including healing, soothing, antibacterial, antiseptic, emollient and moisturizing qualities. Aloe soothes, heals, deodorizes and cleans. It is long lasting.
Aloe Vera gel is one of the most useful products to have. The gel found within the leaves of this plant has remarkable properties including healing, soothing, antibacterial, antiseptic, emollient and moisturizing qualities. Aloe soothes, heals, deodorizes and cleans. It is long lasting.
Skin: It has the ability to improve the skin's ability to hydrate itself, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and encourages skin rejuvenation. Studies have shown that Aloe Vera enhances cellular regeneration and improves the skin's ability to hydrate itself, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and encourages skin rejuvenation.It also firms and tones skins.
Hair/Scalp: It said to have remarkable results for the hair and scalp. Some have raved about its ability to encourage hair stimulation and hair growth! This product also has incredible moisturizing properties.
2. Avocado
Rich in vitamins A & E, lecithin, protein, antioxidant. Long shelf life under normal conditions but does not do well under high heat.
Skin: The fatty, green flesh of this fruit moisturizes, tightens, heals, regenerates, soothes, renews and nourishes aging and damaged skin with a low SPF.
Hair: This oil is rich in potassium, sulfur, vitamins A,D and E and fatty acids. It is very nourishing for dry hair and scalp as it replenishes oils lost through washing and coats the cuticles. It is especially valuable for those with eczema, dry scalp and other scalp ailments. It leaves the hair feeling smooth and soft (see "The Power of Avocado" for more information)
3. Bees Wax
The most common natural emulsifier for homemade cosmetics. It thickens and solidifies beauty products of all kinds. Bees wax naturally helps seal moisture into the skin, while still allowing it to "breathe". Just be sure that you're not buying paraffin or impure beeswax.
The most common natural emulsifier for homemade cosmetics. It thickens and solidifies beauty products of all kinds. Bees wax naturally helps seal moisture into the skin, while still allowing it to "breathe". Just be sure that you're not buying paraffin or impure beeswax.
4. Cocoa butter
Natural emollient and a mild, natural thickener with light, sweet fragrance. Does not always blend well with other fragrances. Leaves a shiny look on skin, so use sparingly for recipes intended for oily skin. Promotes elasticity which prevents stretch marks.
5. Coconut Oil
This wonderful carrier oil is a wonderful moisturizing with great healing powers. A saturated fat consisting primarily of medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), it is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils.
This wonderful carrier oil is a wonderful moisturizing with great healing powers. A saturated fat consisting primarily of medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), it is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils.
Skin: It helps to form a light barrier on the skin to ward of infection. Reduces symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin. Relieves dry skin, wrinkles and improves the quality of aged skin. Coconut oil also has an SPF of 4.
Hair: This is a great oil for general moisturizing and serves as a protective layer, helping to retain the moisture and protein in the hair. Coconut oil does not clog pores (which can inihibit hair growth--and even kill hair follicles), making it great for the hair. It stimulates hair growth, softens the hair and conditions the scalp. It also can also help eliminate dandruff! (see "Going (Coco)nuts!" for more information).
6. Geranium Oil
Has powerful healing qualities for the skin. This oil is used to soothe dry skin, reduce cellulite through massage and help clear the complexions of those with naturally oily skin. It's a natural preservative in homemade lotion but has a very powerful scent- smells like a very sweet rose- so use a low dose in combination with other natural preservatives.
7. Grape Seed Oil
Light, odorless oil derived from Italian grape seeds. Suitable for all skin types. Easily absorbed and extremely mild. It is perfect for oily and blemished skin. It goes rancid easily so it's best kept cold until you are ready to use it.
Light, odorless oil derived from Italian grape seeds. Suitable for all skin types. Easily absorbed and extremely mild. It is perfect for oily and blemished skin. It goes rancid easily so it's best kept cold until you are ready to use it.
8. Jojoba oil
Small California plant. It's a soft, waxy oil. Goes on smooth with no build up.The structure of Jojoba oil closely resembles that of your own skin oil (sebum). Itcontains linoleic acid and
myristic acid, which account for its anti-inflammatory and moisture retention properties.
Small California plant. It's a soft, waxy oil. Goes on smooth with no build up.The structure of Jojoba oil closely resembles that of your own skin oil (sebum). Itcontains linoleic acid and
myristic acid, which account for its anti-inflammatory and moisture retention properties.
Skin: Jojoba is readily absorbed into the skin, is non-pore clogging and helps balance
production of your natural sebum.
production of your natural sebum.
Hair/Scalp: Jojoba is moisturizing and helps prevent dry scalp. It adds moisture and gives your hair extra protection, shine and body. It also cleanses and is revitalizing to hair and scalp!
9. Lecithin
Extracted from soybeans or other plants, lecithin is an antioxidant, emulsifier, stablizer, thickener and an emollient. Used in lotions and creams because it helps skin absorb moisture and hold onto it longer, but commonly used in bath and hair products.
Skin: It has magnificent moisturizing properties, and helps to hydrate the skin. In addition, The phospholipids naturally present in lecithin are able to attract water from the air, and in doing so, increase hydration. This makes it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. Because of this, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level. It increases the spreadability of a product and leave the skin feeling very smooth, however using too much can make it feel tacky. Comes in liquid or granuals form. Melt into oil blend completely at approximately 1/2 tablespoon per 8 to 10 ounces.
Extracted from soybeans or other plants, lecithin is an antioxidant, emulsifier, stablizer, thickener and an emollient. Used in lotions and creams because it helps skin absorb moisture and hold onto it longer, but commonly used in bath and hair products.
Skin: It has magnificent moisturizing properties, and helps to hydrate the skin. In addition, The phospholipids naturally present in lecithin are able to attract water from the air, and in doing so, increase hydration. This makes it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. Because of this, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level. It increases the spreadability of a product and leave the skin feeling very smooth, however using too much can make it feel tacky. Comes in liquid or granuals form. Melt into oil blend completely at approximately 1/2 tablespoon per 8 to 10 ounces.
10. Mango Butter
From the seed kernel of a mango tree. Perfect base for soaps and body lotion. Great source of essential fatty acids. Has many of the same qualities as cocoa butter but has a milder fragrance.
From the seed kernel of a mango tree. Perfect base for soaps and body lotion. Great source of essential fatty acids. Has many of the same qualities as cocoa butter but has a milder fragrance.
11. Olive Oil
Olive oil is high in the antioxidants Vitamins A and E providing anti-aging properties. It also has disinfectant properties, is moisturizing, soothing and healing. Simply a wonderful and gentle component in body care products! Has a long shelf life. Used in lotions, creams and hair treatments.
Olive oil is high in the antioxidants Vitamins A and E providing anti-aging properties. It also has disinfectant properties, is moisturizing, soothing and healing. Simply a wonderful and gentle component in body care products! Has a long shelf life. Used in lotions, creams and hair treatments.
12. Rosehip Seed Oil
Amber colored oil from the ripened rosehip fruit. Rosehip seed oil contains Vitamin A, which helps to delay the effects of skin aging, assists with cell regeneration, and promotes collagen and elastin levels to increase. This results in firmer, smoother, and more youthful skin with greater elasticity. Rosehip seed oil also contains a high amount of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E and extremely high in essential fatty acid, which further promotes healthy skin. In particular, it is rich in linoleic and linolenic acids, which are important skin nutrients. Used to treat facial and surgecial scarring, acne scars, stretch marks and wrinkles. Helps dry and damaged skin heal and regenerate helpong it regain its natural colour and tone*. Rosehip seed oil is a safe, inexpensive, effective, and non-invasive product for preventing and healing damaged skin.
*source
13. Rosemary Extract Oil or Powder
Antiseptic, antioxidant. A natural preservative in creams and lotions.
Antiseptic, antioxidant. A natural preservative in creams and lotions.
14. Shea Butter
Moisturizes and purifies troubled skin like eczema, psoriasis and even stretch marks. It is important to not purchase Shea Butter that has been altered in this way, as these processing methods deplete the product of its healing and medicinal properties, and also destroy the vitamins and minerals naturally present in Shea Butter.
Hair: Shea Butter is naturally rich in Vitamins A, E, and F, as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E help to soothe, hydrate and balance the skin. They also provide skin collagen which assists with wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Vitamin F contains essential fatty acids, and helps protect and revitalize damaged skin. Shea Butter is an intense moisturizer for dry skin, and is a wonderful product for stretch marks and revitalizing dull or dry skin on the body or scalp. It promotes skin renewal, increases the circulation, and accelerates wound healing. It has a low SPF of 6* and may be incoproated into sunscreen recipes.
Hair/Scalp: This oil glides on the hair and scalp smoothly and helps revatalize and protect dry, damaged hair. It also creates a protective moisture barrier against the dry, harsh elements! (see "shea butter" for more information on properties)
*source
15. Stearic Acid
Used to bind and thicken creams and lotions at about 2-5% (about 2 teaspoons in a 16 ounce batch of lotion). Be sure to use palm derived stearic acid with no added chemicals, emulsifiers or other agents.
15. Stearic Acid
Used to bind and thicken creams and lotions at about 2-5% (about 2 teaspoons in a 16 ounce batch of lotion). Be sure to use palm derived stearic acid with no added chemicals, emulsifiers or other agents.
16. Sweet Almond Oil
A very nourishing and protective carrier oil. It is high in linoleic acid, which accounts for its anti-inflammatory and moisture retention properties. It alleviates dry skin chapped irritated skin and soothes inflammation. Relieves itching caused by eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It helps heal damaged and aged skin. It contains vitamin A and F, is mild, and easily absorbed.
17. Teas
Green tea is best. It reverses sun damage. It heals, soothes and helps regenerate the skin. It slows the aging process. But all teas can be wonderful. There are many really great teas for lotion. They can also add fragrance and color to your lotion. Read the labels. Not all teas are natural. Some add artificial color, flavor and preservatives.
Green tea is best. It reverses sun damage. It heals, soothes and helps regenerate the skin. It slows the aging process. But all teas can be wonderful. There are many really great teas for lotion. They can also add fragrance and color to your lotion. Read the labels. Not all teas are natural. Some add artificial color, flavor and preservatives.
18. Vegetable Glycerin
Glycerin is a clear, sweet, sticky product derived from plants. It acts as a humectant, which means that it absorbs water from its surroundings. A little goes a long way, and if you use too much it make the product very sticky. It mixes well in either the oil or water phase, but will not thicken your creams or lotions. Use up to 1 tsp of glycerin per cup of cosmetic base.
Glycerin is a clear, sweet, sticky product derived from plants. It acts as a humectant, which means that it absorbs water from its surroundings. A little goes a long way, and if you use too much it make the product very sticky. It mixes well in either the oil or water phase, but will not thicken your creams or lotions. Use up to 1 tsp of glycerin per cup of cosmetic base.
19. Vitamin E
A natural preservative and antioxidant. Heals sun and pollution damaged skin. Heals scars. Heals diaper rash.
20. Xanthan Gum
Skin conditioner and emulsifier. It thickens and adds body to lotions and creams.
Skin conditioner and emulsifier. It thickens and adds body to lotions and creams.
Honorable Mentions:
Arrowroot
This is the powdered root of a Caribbean plant. A wonderful ingredient in baby powder. Use it in lotion and creams to help moisture penetrate the skin.
Baking soda
Helps bring an acidic mixture to a balanced pH level. It also adds smooth texture to lotions and creams.
Each week I will be featuring one of the products I've listed here, sharing detailed information and well as recipes that you can try. If you do try any of the activities please share your results!
Arrowroot
This is the powdered root of a Caribbean plant. A wonderful ingredient in baby powder. Use it in lotion and creams to help moisture penetrate the skin.
Baking soda
Helps bring an acidic mixture to a balanced pH level. It also adds smooth texture to lotions and creams.
Each week I will be featuring one of the products I've listed here, sharing detailed information and well as recipes that you can try. If you do try any of the activities please share your results!
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