Homemade Dry Body Oil Recipes

Pure plant oils are the ultimate skin moisturizers. Some people shun oils because they believe they make skin oilier and leave a greasy film on the skin, while lotions penetrate, or “soak” into the skin. The main difference between lotions and oils is the texture, not the way they moisturize. Lotions are oil-in-water emulsions, and when the water and alcohol evaporate, oil, possibly beeswax, and some plant extracts are left on the skin’s surface. With body oils, you are not wasting your money on water and alcohol. You get pure oil that can be applied lightly or heavily, depending on your preferences. There’s also “dry oil,” a lightweight oil blend that is sprayed on the skin to leave minimal greasy residue. Many cosmetic brands make “dry oil” by blending olive or jojoba oil with silicones. Dry oil sprays are incredibly versatile: you can apply them to damp skin after a shower or bath, you can spray them on your hair when it feels frizzy or dry, and you can also lightly spray it on your face for a dewy glow.
To prepare your own dry oil and moisturizing oil blends, you will need pure plant oils such as jojoba, almond, or grapeseed, and a selection of your favorite essential oils. If you have sensitive skin or nose, skip stronger essential oils and add a subtle fragrance with one or two drops of chamomile or lavender oils. Most plant oils have fresh, earthy aromas of their own.
Many oil blends don’t need preservatives to stay uncontaminated, but some require a bit of a help from essential oils or antioxidant vitamins. Jojoba and coconut oils, which are technically liquid plant waxes, have a longer shelf life, but most oils have to be used up within a year. Besides, many oils originate many thousand miles away from you and may well have spent months in transit before finally arriving at your bathroom or kitchen counter. This is a good reason to buy smaller sizes of organic oils regularly. If stored properly, in a cool, dark place, or at least in dark glass bottles, most body oil blends have a safe shelf life of six to twelve months. By adding ester of vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as grapefruit and tea tree oils, you can extend shelf life, but not dramatically.

Sweet and Spicy Body Oil

1 ounce sweet almond oil.
1 ounce apricot kernel oil.
1 ounce grape seed oil.
2 drops clary sage essential oil.
2 drops mandarin essential oil.
2 drops chamomile essential oil.
1 drop ylang-ylang essential oil.
1 drop lavender essential oil.

Yield

4 ounces

Pour the premeasured amounts of oils into a glass bottle and shake vigorously to blend.

Sun Glow Dry Oil

1/2 ounce (15 ml) jojoba oil.
1/2 ounce (15 ml) coconut oil.
3 drops vanilla extract.
2 drops sandalwood essential oil.
800 IU vitamin E.
1 teaspoon mineral shimmer.

Yield

5 ounces

It adds a gorgeous natural-looking tint with a hint of shimmer. Lightweight plant oils do not form a greasy film, and they spread evenly. Be creative and blend mineral powders as you like, but don’t use light pink or beige shimmers, even if you have pale skin. Opt for golden corals and pinks instead.
Combine all the oils in a spray bottle. Carefully pour in the mineral pigment. Shake well before each use.

Solutions for Cellulite

Doctors are not entirely clear on what causes cellulite. Some say that cellulite is caused by weakened supportive collagen and protruding fat cells. Others blame hormones, rapid weight loss, excessive water retention, and sluggish lymph flow. All we know is that cellulite plagues both the toned buttocks of supermodels and flabby tummies of new moms. Cellulite can appear on the upper arms, the back of the neck, and around the knees.
Like acne, cellulite is not an isolated cosmetic problem. It sends us a message that our body systems are not functioning properly, possibly due to hormonal shifts or toxin buildup. In any case, cellulite has to be addressed from inside and outside at the same time. Massaging creams will not make much of a difference at all.
Use a body oil. Improve the skin’s elasticity and strengthen its cells with a nutritious, tightening body oil that can be combined with a massage. Here’s a recipe that worked well on my stubborn wobbly bits.

Skin Toning Oil

1 ounce evening primrose oil.
1/2 ounce rose-hip oil.
15,000 IU vitamin E (from capsules).
5 mg horse chestnut extract.
5 drops grapefruit essential oil.
3 drops ylang-ylang essential oil.

Yield

4 ounces

This potent blend of moisturizers and nutrients allows the skin to breathe and helps heal any stretch marks you may have on your tummy and thighs.
Premix horse chestnut extract with a teaspoon of any of the oils to completely dissolve it. Combine all oils and other ingredients in a glass bottle and shake vigorously. Use it twice daily.
Cellulite is not made of toxins or fat accumulating under skin, so flushing fat without paying attention to the efficiency of blood flow and lymph circulation won’t get you anywhere.
After spending untold money on cellulite creams and spa procedures, I have put together a natural plan that is easy to follow and involves no hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Improve lymph flow. The fluid between your cells is filtered by the lymphatic system, and when the body gets congested, this process doesn’t work well. As a result, the lymph system gets overloaded with toxins. To improve lymph flow, perform a dry skin brushing every day or at least every other day. You can also invest in roller massagers with wooden or metal heads that physically propel fluids in cellulite-affected areas. Contrast showers (alternating cold and warm water as you shower) do wonders for blood flow—you will see a healthy glow on your face immediately!
Improve bowel function. I noticed that many women who get cellulite also tend to have constipation. This is a clear sign of congestion and poor removal of waste products from the body. By adopting a toxin-free, organic diet and making regular Green Beauty Detox a habit (see Chapter 16), you will reduce the toxin load on your elimination system and help your cells exchange nutrients, clear toxins, and burn fat more efficiently.
Avoid water retention. Alcohol, saturated fats, and excessive amounts of salt all increase the swelling of skin tissue surrounding fat cells. Wearing tight clothes and sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time have also been shown to contribute to cellulite. Drinking proper amounts of water (the proverbial eight glasses a day) helps fight excessive water pressure in the skin. Wou drink more, but you pee more too.
Burn the fat. Enlarged fat cells make the connective tissue weaken and eventually burst under pressure, creating an uneven, bumpy texture. Exercising and eating a healthy diet will reduce the fat buildup under your skin, as well as improve blood and lymph flow. Woga and Pilates are especially good at promoting healthy fluid exchange in your skin.
Try health supplements. There are many health supplements that are believed to have an effect on cellulite. These include coenzyme Q10, amino acid 1-carnitine, and gotu kola (Centella Asiatica), which improve connective tissue activity, and Indian chestnut, ginkgo biloba, and rutin, which boost microcirculation. None of them have proved to be a miracle cellulite pill, but you may find them useful as part of a holistic cellulite plan. Consult your doctor before adding any health supplements to your diet.The green beauty guide