Formulating is a passion of mine that I often get obsessed with from time to time. When the urge hits, I can’t help but brainstorm and bring my ideas to life. I’ve never used store-bought beauty products—all of my skincare is made by me. Honestly, I’ve been a little selfish about sharing my techniques and beauty tips, which I’ve developed over time while still formulating for Organicare. But today, I’m going to share something special with you—because sharing is caring, right?
With autumn upon us, the lush greenery and blooms will soon be saying goodbye. While some are still here, I wanted to capture their essence to enjoy throughout the cooler months—a rejuvenating, anti-aging oil using just what’s available in my garden. Anti-aging oils are suitable from as early as age 20 to protect your skin from premature aging.
As the plants give one last burst of blooms and greens, I picked a few sprigs of each for their unique benefits:
Chicory leaves and flowers
High in vitamin A and antioxidants.
Vitamin A is known for its anti-aging properties, helping to smooth fine lines, promote cell turnover, and brighten the skin. Chicory also contains inulin, a natural moisturizer that helps to maintain skin hydration.
Lavender (leaves and dried flowers)
Calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender soothes irritated skin and reduces redness. Its antibacterial properties help with acne, while its calming scent promotes relaxation, which can reduce stress-related skin issues.
Mint leaves
Rich in vitamin A and menthol.
Mint has a cooling and refreshing effect on the skin, stimulating blood circulation. The vitamin A helps to improve skin tone and texture, and the antibacterial properties make it ideal for acne-prone skin.
Butterfly bush
Rich in flavonoids and antioxidants.
These compounds protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by pollution and UV radiation. The antioxidants help to slow down the aging process by reducing fine lines and preventing free radical damage.
Wild strawberry leaves
Contains vitamin C and tannins.
Vitamin C boosts collagen production, helping to firm the skin. Tannins help tighten the skin and reduce puffiness, making the face appear more youthful and refreshed.
Norway spruce
Contains polyphenols and antioxidants.
The polyphenols in Norway spruce act as natural antioxidants, protecting the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and calming sensitive skin.
Rose
Rich in vitamin C and essential fatty acids.
Rose helps to regenerate skin tissues and improve skin elasticity. It locks in moisture, soothes irritation, and provides deep nourishment, making it perfect for dry or mature skin.
Red clover
Contains isoflavones, which mimic estrogen.
Red clover helps to stimulate collagen production, giving the skin a plumper, more youthful appearance. It also helps with skin conditions like eczema and rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Rosemary
Antioxidant-rich with anti-aging properties.
Rosemary stimulates circulation, helping to improve skin tone and firmness. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities make it a good choice for acne-prone skin, while its antioxidants protect against free radicals.
This blend is packed with skin nutrients, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens that protect and rejuvenate the skin. They protect the skin by reducing oxidative stress, supporting collagen production, and promoting a healthy complexion, making your skin glow and dewy. As we age, the lack of hormones can cause our skin to sag and wrinkle, but our skin has receptors that respond to these compounds, helping to keep it firm and youthful.
And the best part? You don’t need any special equipment to extract the goodness from these plants! I’ll show you how to make this oil using a simple method.
Here's How You Can Do It:
Chop your dried or fresh herbs to increase the surface area.
1 cupful of densely packed herbs to 2 cups of carrier oil.
Set up a double boiler ( a pan with hot water and a heat proof bowl on top).
add your herbs and a carrier oil of your choice, and heat gently for 30 minutes to an hour; the oil colour will change.
(Low heat is key to preserving the delicate compounds.)
Cooling & Freezing:
After the first infusion, let the mixture cool down.
Freeze the entire herb-oil mixture in a container for a few hours or overnight. This step helps to break down the plant cells even more.
Second Infusion (Post-Freezing):
Reheat the mixture using the double boiler method for another 30 minutes to an hour. This allows more compounds to be extracted from the now-burst plant cells.
Once the second infusion is done, strain out the plant material.
If you have, store your infused oil in a clean, dark jar if you have and store in a cool, dark place to prevent oxidation.
And there you have it! Your own potent anti-aging beauty oil made straight from nature. Give it a try and enjoy the rejuvenating effects throughout autumn and winter.
To use, massage it on the face and neck morning and night after cleansing, or use it whenever the skin needs moisturizing. Remember to exfoliate your skin once to twice a week as this mixture increases skin regeneration and exflolation help further to stimulate collagen production, leading to fresher, smoother, and more radiant skin.
Wishing you all a beautiful day!
Mariah 😊🍃💗