Summer Skincare in the Urban Apothecary
Couldn’t make it to our Outdoor Skin: Build a Natural First Aid Kit workshop last week? No worries! Here are a few of the recipes we created together. All supplies are available in our apothecary.
All-natural Sunscreen Oil
1 oz Shea Butter
(SPF 6)1 oz Fractionated Coconut Oil
(SPF 4-6)1 tsp Red Raspberry Seed Oil
(SPF 30-45)1 or 2 drops Vitamin E
2 oz Squeeze Bottle
Put butter and oils in a heat proof glass container. Warm just until the Shea Butter is melted. Add the Vitamin E oil and blend. Pour into a 2 oz squeeze bottle and let cool. This will set up to a semi-opaque oil.
Anti-Bacterial Sanitizer
Witch Hazel
6 drops Tea Tree Oil
(antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-septic)15ml bottle with reducer top
Fill the bottle with Witch Hazel, then add Tea Tree Essential Oil. So simple!
We do not recommend adding the essential oil first as most essential oils are extremely potent and will begin to break down whatever plastic container they are added to. Not a problem if you’re using glass, but it’s always good to establish best practices.
(other essential oils that could be used include Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Rosemary)
Natural Insect Repellent
7.5 ml Distilled Water
7.5 ml Witch Hazel
15ml Spray bottle
20 Drops of the following essential oils (5 drops each):
○ Citronella (insect repellent, antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal)
○ Thyme thymol (insect repellent, antibacterial, antiseptic; a study by the American Mosquito Control Association discovered thyme essential oil had a 91% protection rate against female mosquitoes)
○ Cedarwood (insect repellent, antiseptic, antifungal)
○ Lemongrass (insect repellent, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic)
(If you do not have all of these essential oils, use a combination of the ones that you do have)
Pour the water and Witch Hazel into the bottle. Add the essential oils. Place lid on bottle. Shake well before each use.