DIY After Sun Care
If you've spent much of the holidays outdoors braaing or on the beach, your skin is bound to be feeling a little under-moisturised and in need of some TLC. After sun care is so important for your skin, to restore lost moisture and give it some much needed nourishment. Oils, essential oils, aloe vera and water all help restore softness, elasticity and moisture. My favorite cream at the moment is this spearmint body butter creation. It is non greasy and ultra absorbent and nourishing. Avocado butter is my favorite hard oil - my skin absolutely loves it. Avocado butter is a gentle butter suitable for all skin types. It is ideal for use after being in the sun, shaving or as an everyday moisturiser. Aloe vera gel is a top after sun natural remedy. These, together with cooling and healing essential oils make for a perfect post-sun lotion, which is also 100% natural. The cream is scented with spearmint and has a light, fresh, summery aroma. It is excellent at moisturising dry skin and restoring lost moisture and softness after a day in the sun.
Spearmint Body Butter
2-3 heaped tablespoons avocado butter
30ml coconut oil
2-3 tsp xanthan gum
2 T aloe vera gel
½ c plus extra distilled or boiled and cooled water. You will need extra depending on your desired consistency.
1-2 drops Geogard 221
1-1 ½ T Eco E emulsifying wax
Essential oils: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops tea tree, 4 drops rosemary, 5 drops lemongrass, 5 drops sweet orange, 7 drops peppermint and 10 drops spearmint. You may adjust the quantities of the essential oils according to your taste, but I find this combination works well.
Melt the avo butter, coconut oil and emulsifying wax together. In a separate container, mix 2 teaspoons xanthan gum, the water and aloe vera gel together. It will thicken. Add the aloe mixture to the melted oils, stirring continuously. Trickle in more water, whisking vigorously. Now you can begin to blend with an emulsion/stick blender. Add in more water as required. Sprinkle a teaspoon of xanthan gum directly into the cream emulsion and blend. I find the cream improves as it cools, so keep blending until cooled completely. Test the cream every now and then on a patch of your skin. When the cream is ready, it should readily absorb into the skin, with no greasy feeling. The consistency will be thick and peaky (like whipped cream), and it should appear glossy. When your cream is done add in the geogard and blend well to disperse. Lastly, add in your essential oils (in the order given) one by one, blending after each addition.
Decant the cream into a jar and store in a cool place. Apply generously to skin.
