Sunday, August 10, 2008

Five Recipes Based on Alba Botanica Lotion Base


Made by Alba Botanica, this unscented lotion base is lab tested for purity. Snowdrift Farm has reduced prices on Alba Botanica Very Emollient Unscented Body Lotion by 20% through August 31, 2008.


You can add up to 3% of your favorite essential oils or fragrance oils for a truly "scentual" experience and without adding any extra preservatives. If you add extra water or water based materials, such as proteins or juices, you will want to add more preservative, too. I recommend using either Optiphen or Cosmocil CQ. Both these preservatives are parabens-free. Additional preservative should be added at 1% of the weight of the additional water-based materials you are adding. As a general rule, if you add 3 tablespoons of water-based material, you should add 3 drops additional perservative.

Alba can be re-heated to approximately 120F to ensure ease of incorporation of additional materials, such as vegetable and nut oils, colorants, fragrances or texturing agents. Slight heating will enable an easier "pour" into your bottles or jars.

Rhassoul, Grapefruit and Lavender Mask (normal skin)

An AHA mask, with a twist. Refreshing grapefruit adds alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to clear away dead skin cells; rhassoul to pull impurities and excess oiliness; lavender to soothe and clarify -- all mixed in our Alba Botanica lotion base to maintain skin's delicate moisture balance.

If you mix up the recipe at the proportions below, you should have enough for one use. No additional preservatives are needed if you use up this batch and do not store it. If you store it and do not wish to add more preservative, keep it refrigerated and dispose if it after 2 days.

Clay Phase

1 tablespoon rhassoul clay
1/2 tablespoon pulverized lavender buds

Lotion-Juice Phase

2 oz. Alba Botanica unscented lotion base
1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
8-10 drops Bulgarian lavender essential oil or rose absolute
distilled water, as needed

Process

Mix together clay phase. Set aside. Mix lotion-juice phase and add to clay phase, using a sterile kitchen whisk. Add distilled water as needed to make a smooth consistency. Wet face and apply cheesecloth to face, avoiding eyes and nose. Cover face and neck with mask. Apply it as thickly as you like. Lie back and relax, allowing mask to set on face for up to 15 minutes. Remove cheesecloth and mask, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Finish with a fresh toner.
Click here for more rhassoul clay ideas and formulas.

Alba Botanica Face & Body Dairy Mask (for normal-dry skin)

Allow this mask to soak in for up to 15 minutes. Yogurt contains alpha hydroxy acids to help slough off dead cells, leaving skin refreshed and clear.

Place 2 oz. Alba Botanica lotion in a sterile bowl and add:

bentonite, 1 tablespoon
yogurt of your choice, 1 tablespoon
lemon essential oil, 10 drops

This makes one batch and does not require additional preservative. If you store this, keep refrigerated and dispose after 2 days.

Alba Botanica Overnight Repair Cream(for severely damaged skin)

Use this very special lotion on chapped, chafed, wind- or sunburned skin. Excellent on rough spots. Use nightly on cracked heels. Apply liberally and massage in. Cover feet with light cotton socks.

Place 2 oz. Alba Botanica lotion in a sterile bowl and add:

tamanu oil, 1 tablespoon
emu oil, 1 tablespoon (optional)
5 drops each Bulgarian lavender and Tea Tree essential oils (optional)

Alba Botanica Nutrient-Dense Lotion (for all skin types)

Excellent all-purpose lotion - perfect from head to toe.

Place 2 oz. Alba Botanica lotion in a sterile bowl and add:

evening primrose oil, 1 tablespoon
rosehip seed oil, 1 tablespoon
15 drops each carrot seed and sea buckthorn essential oils
neroli essential oil, 5 drops
jasmin absolute, 5 drops

Alba Botanica Buffing Creme (for use on rough skin only)

Buffing creme reduces calloused skin. Do not use on your face! Great for feet and elbows.

Place 2 oz. Alba Botanica lotion in a sterile bowl and add:

sweet almond oil oil,
1 tablespoon pumice, triple fine (XXX) 1/2 teaspoon
15 drops each rosewood and tea tree essential oils

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