Eugene Magazine - Summer 2014
Summertime Skincare
When light cracks the clouds after months of cold rainy days, folks in Eugene head out to soak up the sun. Whether out to browse at the Saturday Market, rock lounging atop Spencer Butte, or biking along the river path, we seek sunlight.
A healthy dose of Vitamin D can make you feel energized, but too much of a good thing can lead to unwanted consequences like sunburns, wrinkles, and cell damage. We all know that protecting our delicate epidermis is important, especially during the bright summer months, so here are a few super easy skincare recipes to keep your skin hydrated and nourished naturally.
Hibiscus Chia Fruit Water
Rule number one is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! If you want to switch up your water drinking routine, try this delicious recipe. Nutrient packed chia seeds become mucilaginous when soaked in liquid and the gel that forms can help keep the body hydrated longer. The seeds also offer antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acid, both of which are crucial for skin health.
Ingredients
3 Tbsp organic Hibiscus High Tea
2 Tbsp raw local honey (optional)
3 Tbsp organic Chia Seeds
1 handful of fresh blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries, blended
Directions
Make a quart of tea using the Hibiscus High. While the tea is hot, stir in the honey until completely dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature. Add the Chia seeds to your tea and stir well. When it has cooled a bit, add the berry purée and stir into the infusion. Refrigerate and allow the Chia seeds to produce gel for about an hour, or overnight if you can wait! Shake the tea before serving and enjoy cold!
Two Step Mask - Green Clay and Lavender Honey
If you’ve been slathering on the sunscreen all day, this mask duo will help absorb dirt and residue from your pores first with French green clay, and then lock in the skin-healing benefits of lavender with moisturization from the wonderful humectant properties of honey.
Step 1 – Green Clay Mask
2 tsp French Green Clay
1-2 tsp water, organic hydrosol, or herbal tea
Mix together in a small bowl until a nice paste forms. Apply a light layer on the face, making sure to avoid the delicate skin area around the eyes and mouth. Leave on until the mask feels taught and dry, and then rinse off with cool water.
Step 2 – Lavender Honey Mask
2 tsp organic Lavender infused honey
To infuse the honey, fill a mason jar ¼ full with dried organic lavender flowers. Top with honey, stir, and cap with a tight-fitting lid. Place in a sunny windowsill and turn the jar over once per day. Infuse for a week or longer and then strain. Using your fingers, spread the infused honey on your face and gently massage. Leave on for 15 to 30 minutes and rinse off.
Rejuvenating Skin Serum
After your mask treatments, feed your skin some lusciously protective and plumping oil. This serum will penetrate your skin cells to help repair mature, dry, or damaged skin – lessening those wrinkles caused by smiling at the sun. This oil blend absorbs quickly and leaves skin super soft.
Ingredients
Carrier Oil Base:
2oz organic Macadamia Nut oil
1oz organic Rosehip Seed oil
½ oz organic Pomegranate Seed oil
½ oz organic Tamanu oil
½ tsp organic Vitamin E oil
Essential Oils:
25 drops organic Lavender essential oil
10 drops organic Carrot Seed essential oil
5 drops organic Ylang Ylang essential oil
Pour all carrier oils together in a glass bottle and roll between your palms to mix. Carefully drip each essential oil into the carrier base and roll again to mix. Invert the bottle several times and roll again. Use a coin-sized amount as a facial serum or allover body oil each day.
Soothing Sun Spray
If the power of the sun stings your skin, you'll want to reach for astringents first. Using an oil-based cream to moisturize a burn can actually create a barrier that holds in the heat that you want to cool. This formula is great at drawing out that heat.
Ingredients
organic Witch Hazel extract
organic Green Tea leaves
organic Calendula Flowers or Cleavers
organic Peppermint Hydrosol
organic Aloe Vera Gel
Directions
Fill a mason jar 1/2 full with a mixture of equal parts green tea leaves and calendula flowers or cleavers. All three herbs can also be used. Pour witch hazel extract over the herbs and fill to the top of the jar. Cap, shake well, and infuse for 4 to 6 weeks before straining.
When needed, mix 4oz of the herbal witch hazel extract infusion with 2oz of peppermint hydrosol and 1oz of aloe vera gel in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray generously on over-sunned skin several times a day until the heat subsides. Keep refrigerated for an added cooling effect.