A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to ditch the toxins found in our bathroom. From lotions to body wash to make-up, the amounts of chemical toxins I put on my body was astounding. With the urge for simplicity and natural living, I started developing my own replacements for things like cream and lotion. This recipe is one of my favourite daily moisturizer and I hope you will like it as well.
Ingredient #1 – Your “Base” or “Carrier” Oil – Hemp seed oil
What makes hemp seed oil so awesome? It has a comedogenic rating of zero, meaning that it doesn’t clog your pores. And, before those of you with oily skin run away, let me tell you do not be afraid of oil. It is your friend. It’s totally fine to use on acne prone skin and will actually help your skin balance (sebum) production.
It’s very nice to know that hemp seed oil contains about 60% linoleic acid. This acid is a special nutrient that helps regulate sebum production as well as its quality. Sebum is supposed to lubricate the skin without clogging pores, but when our diets lack enough linoleic acid it can become sticky and easily hardens in the pores. This hardened sebum then becomes a blackhead, whitehead, or acne lesion.
Plant-based diet together with using a hemp oil moisturizer will help you to clean your skin and keep it healthy. Due to its high content of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, hemp oil has a composition similar to skin lipids, which makes it an excellent natural emollient and moisturizer. It is safe to use daily and will keep your skin radiant and silky smooth. I’ve been using Hemp Oil for about 4 months now, both internally and externally as facial moisturizer, I absolutely swear by it. 😉
Hemp Seed Oil will also Relieve/Improve:
Redness
Inflammation
Itchiness
Dry patches
Blotchy skin
Skin tone
Which Hemp Seed Oil Should I Buy?
The main thing to look for is cold pressed, organic, unrefined hemp oil if you can find it. The absolute best hemp oil I’ve come across is this one. Unrefined hemp oil does not have a very long shelf life. The oil quickly goes rancid, unless it is stored in dark containers in a refrigerated environment.
Ingredient #2 – Extra Nourishing Bonus Oils
So here are some ideas for nourishing “bonus” oils:
- Tamanu oil (good for acneic or oily skin, or skin with scars)
- Sea buckthorn oil (great oil for all skin types, but especially aging or dry skin)
- Neem oil (very antimicrobial and healing, neem oil is a stellar choice for acne and oily skin)
- Tea tree oil is known for its topical antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment or infection-reducing benefits. It also has antibiotic properties and helps aid against aliments such as skin infections, rashes, burns, dandruff and much more.
- Carrot seed oil (an invaluable beauty oil, it increases tone and elasticity to the skin.)
- Borage oil (crazy high in oleic acids, this oil is great for most skin types, but especially oily and acne skin)
- Rosehip seed oil (incredibly regenerating, this oil is known for its firming and anti-aging abilities – it’s good for dry, aging, and normal skin)
- Evening primrose oil (acne, aging, normal skin, you name it – and evening primrose oil can even be taken internally to help with acne)
- Emu oil (emollient like you wouldn’t believe, emu oil is protective and nourishing for dry or aging skin)
Ingredient #3 – Favorite Essential Oil
- Lavender(acne, oily, or even dry skin – lavender is healing)
- Peppermint (like lavender, peppermint is great for oily and acneic skin, and like lavender don’t use much!)
- Chamomile(wonderfully healing and soothing, it’s great for all skin type)
- Rose Oil – (beautiful and joyful, the Queen of oils. Excellent in skin care especially for dry, mature or reddened skins. It’s a very expensive oil!)
- Rose geranium (especially good for dry, sensitive, aging, and normal skin)
- Palmarosa (softening and soothing for aging skin)
- Lemongrass (brightening and toning, this is a great oil for normal, oily, or acne skin)
- Rosemary (got acne and oily skin? You might just want this)
Creating Your Facial Hemp Oil Moisturizer
Find a small and cute bottle (for essential oil purposes). Personally I love to use dark blue color glass bottles (read here why).
- Fill your bottle just 20 ml with hemp seed oil.
- Add 10-15 drops of your “bonus nourishing” to 20 ml of hemp seed oil (unless you’re using carrot seed oil, in which case just put in a few drops).
- Add ONLY 4-7 drops of essential oil. Close and shake well. You should be able to smell it, but it should not be overpowering. You can use a single essential oil or mix two or more together, to suit your condition.
That’s it! Simply wet your face with warm water and apply a small amount on your skin. I like to massage it in before gently towel drying it off. Use at least once a day.
Keep Your Facial Hemp Oil Moisturizer out of the sunlight. It should be good for 8-12 months. Never, ever use facial oil or moisturizer on a dirty face. If you put oil or moisturizer on top of a dirty face, you’ll just help seal in all that dirt and grime and old.
I wish you a most beautiful skin and health!