Aromatherapy Recipes to try at Home

The shelves of the supermarket, pharmacy or department store may be groaning under the weight of bath, hair and skin care products, but even in the face of such a vast choice you may not be able to find the product that’s right for you.

Today’s product packaging has become extremely sophisticated. The marketing departments of the beauty and skin care business do their job well, tempting us with attractive boxes, bottles and jars that are designed to assure us that we are buying a quality product that will make us look just as beautiful as the packaging was before it was unwrapped! But there are those of us who wonder what percentage of the price we pay goes towards these packaging and marketing costs, and still more of us who are concerned about exactly what goes into the products themselves.

If you want to know what you’re using to wash your hair or pour into your bath, the answer could be to make your own personal care products with the help of Baldwins. Far from being a complicated procedure, all you will need is a base product, essential oils, herbs or tinctures of your choice to use for fragrance, a measuring jug, a spoon, and an attractive container in which to put the finished product.

You can even make bath milks or shower gels to give away as presents, designing your own labels and decorating with ribbons or dried flowers. Look in larger department stores or craft centres for stick on decorations and pretty labels that will help you re-create designer label products at a fraction of the price. Your friends and relations can’t fail to be impressed with a product that’s made especially for them, even more so if it contains their favourite fragrance.

Here are just three reasons why making your own personal care products is such a great idea:

The base products from Baldwins are mild, gentle and pure. Using such ingredients means that you can minimise the amount of artificial products to which your skin is exposed. Sufferers of skin conditions as well as those with sensitive skin will appreciate the control this offers. If you know what’s in a product and what your skin is being exposed to, it becomes easier to identify – and eliminate – any ingredients that might be causing allergic reactions.

Every product you make is individual, so you get to choose the consistency of the base (for example, a thick cream or a milky lotion) as well as create a uniquely beautiful fragrance. See the examples below for some ideas to get you started.

You can use aromatherapy oils in the products you create. Aromatherapy oils can help alleviate stress, aid sleep, or treat minor illness such as headache or digestive disorders. Again, the recipe can be devised to match your requirements and the cost will be a fraction of what you would pay from a specialist supplier.

To make a start, chose from the following base products:

  • Cleanser
    A mild and gentle base to remove everyday grime and leave your skin fresh and smooth.
  • Hair Products
    A mild shampoo base that is gentle enough for all hair types, and a conditioner base that is rich and nourishing
  • Shower and Bath Gel
    A gentle non soap base gel.
  • Bath Milk
    Gentle on your skin, but producing a luxurious milky bath.
  • Massage Oil
    Two formulations are available – light or rich, both containing Vitamin E, Evening Primrose and Wheatgerm oils.
  • Creams and Lotions
    Select a rich cream with Vitamin E, a lighter cream with Coconut oil, or an easily absorbed lotion.

Once you’ve chosen your base product the fun begins! Select the essential oils, herbs or tinctures with which you wish to fragrance your product, add to the base product in a mixing jug and blend together before pouring into the final container. You can even make your own recipes using fresh ingredients such as avocado or honey, but remember to store your product in the fridge if you do, and use within one day for the best results. Ideally, make up small quantities as you need them.

Some Recipes To Try At Home:

Wake Up!

  • 8 drops of lavender
  • 4 drops of peppermint
  • 2 drops of lime
  • Add to 50ml of bath and shower gel base and kick start your day.

Stimulate!

  • 7 drops of lemon
  • 6 drops of cypress
  • 2 drops of basil
  • Add to 50ml of shampoo or conditioner base as a treat for dry hair.

Luscious!

  • 6 drops of geranium
  • 3 drops of ylang
  • 3 drops of sandalwood
  • 3 drops of rosewood
  • Add to 50ml of cream or lotion base and nourish dry or mature skin.

A Bubbly Finish

To complete your new found range of personal care products, make some beautifully scented mild soap with the Baldwins Melt and Mould soap flakes and soap moulds. Simply melt the flakes in a microwave or bain mairie and add essential oils or herbs.

If you need help on choosing your products or advice on creating your own recipes for any of these personal care products, Baldwins staff will be pleased to assist. Call the helpline on 020 7703 5550.

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