The skin you're in

When I was a teenager, I was a complete sucker for all the skin "fixing" products out there. I was a regular at the drugstore scooping it all up: scrubs, Noxema, peeling masks, and benzoyl peroxide. I thought these products might be the key to blemish free skin. I also felt certain that a heavy slathering of make-up was a necessity before leaving the house. I came to rely on that makeup "mask" to help the vulnerable me feel a little safer, a bit hidden.

When I went off to college and especially while pregnant with my first baby, my pendulum swung the other way. I no longer wanted to buy into the false beauty system. I didn't want to put so many chemicals on my skin. I fell in love with herbalism and natural healing. Though Rosemary Gladstar's book- A Family Herbal - was a later addition to my herbal bookshelf, it's become one of my favorites. I still remember her calm and radiant presence when I went to hear her give a talk at a little Cambridge health shop years ago.

The book is full of recipes and general instruction for making and using all kinds of natural/ herbal remedies. Her "Perfect Cream" is especially satisfying to make.


Here's the recipe:
Waters
2/3 cup distilled water (or rosewater)
1/3 cup aloe vera juice
1 or 2 drops essential oil of choice
Vitamins A and E as desired

Oils
3/4 cup apricot, almond or grapeseed oil (I actually used olive oil)
1/3 cup cocoa butter or coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon lanolin (I left this out)
1/2 to 1 ounce beeswax

1. Combine waters in glass measuring cup. Set aside.
c 2. In double boiler over low heat combine oils. Heat them just enough to melt.
3. Pour oils in to the blender and let them, cool to room temperature.The mixture should become thick, creamy, semi-solid and cream colored. The cooling process can be sped up in the refrigerator, but you have to watch it closely so it doesn't get too hard.
4. When mixture is cooled, turn blender on to highest speed. In a slow and steady stream, begin to pour the water mixture into the whirling oil mixture. You may need to turn off the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula.
5. When most of the water has been added, listen to the blender and watch the cream. When it begins to cough and choke and the cream looks thick and white, turn off the blender. Now you can add the remaining water by hand and beat with a spoon- don't over beat though.
6. Pour off into jars. The cream will thicken as it sets. Store in a cool location.

As the lotion is quite thick and rich, a little goes a long way. Use only a small amount on the face, more can be used on the body. This is my favorite part about Ms. Gladstar's instructions for using this cream:
"The only real 'rule' about this cream is that it can never be used with any negative thoughts about the body it's being used on. When smoothing it over the creases and maps of the skin, do so with love. Do it as if you are anointing yourself with precious balm. You are! This is part of the cream's magic."

While I really love the lotion itself, perhaps this kinder attitude toward oneself is the more important aspect of using this skin cream. I do appreciate this reminder to be just a bit more gentle with myself.