Make your own fragrant, natural bath and skin products

(Homesteading.news) Commercially produced bubble bath, shower gels and body lotions are usually packed with synthetic chemicals. Yet, herbs, flowers and fruits have long been used in beauty treatments to refresh, cleanse and soothe, without the harmful effects that chemicals can have on the skin. Home made bath products are not expensive to produce, are beneficial to health and can also make wonderful gifts for loved ones.

Recipes for Bath Sachets, Body Lotions and Massage Oils

Natural, home made products have a shorter shelf life than commercially produced bath products because they do not contain preservatives, so be sure to store them in a cool place and use them up within a short period of time.

Lavender and Rose Geranium Massage Oil

1/4 cup lavender
1/4 cup rose geranium petals
1 cup apricot oil

Place the petals in a wide necked glass jar. Warm the apricot oil in a saucepan on a low heat, then pour over the petals and seal the jar. Leave in a warm spot for two weeks, shaking the jar each day. Once again, pour oil into a saucepan and gently warm it up over a low heat. Strain the oil through muslin and discard the petals. Pour into bottles and seal.

Peppermint Bath Sachets

25cm muslin
1 1/2 cups dried peppermint leaves
ribbon of choice

Cut muslin into circles, approximately 10cm in diameter. Place 2 tablespoons of dried peppermint leaves into the center of each circle; then, gather edges together to enclose the leaves and secure with a ribbon long enough to hang under a running tap.

Ensure that the peppermint leaves are large enough so they won’t wash out of the bags, and rub the bag gently to crush the herbs and release their fragrance, just before running a bath.

Marigold Oil for Dry Skin

1 cup marigold petals
1 cup almond oil

This simple recipe is wonderful for dry skin if added to bathwater and can also be used when massaging dry hands and feet.

Place marigold petals in a glass jar, pour almond oil onto the petals and seal the jar. Stand in a warm place for three weeks, shaking the jar each day. Heat the oil and petals in a small saucepan on a medium heat until petals become crisp. Strain through wire strainer lined with muslin or a clean cloth, discard petals, decant into bottles and seal.

Orange Flower Body Lotion

An easy recipe that is especially good for soothing sun burnt skin.

2 tablespoons glycerine
1/3 cup orange flower water

Whisk orange flower water and glycerine together in a small bowl, pour into a small bottle, seal. Shake well before using.

Reporting by Fleur Hupston, NaturalNews.com.

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• Make-at-home soap for face and body
• Top five reasons to use goat’s milk soap
• Top 7 reasons why the food you produce should be organic

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