In ancient Greece, women coated themselves with fragrant oils filled with plant extracts and mineral powders. The first emulsion, a preparation based on olive oil, beeswax and rose water, was created by Galen, an eminent doctor of the time, proof that the application of a cream to the body It’s not just a question of aesthetics, but a ritual of well-being and health.
What are the benefits of body cream?
The body cream provides protection and hydration to the skin. Thanks to its lipid content, it helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture level composed of 80% water and limits evaporation which can cause drying out. It preserves the hydrolipidic film, essential to play its barrier role against attacks (pollution, cold, repeated washing, hard water, hair removal, etc.) cause the appearance of very dry skin conducive to irritation.
The body cream restores radiance. Its nourishing texture smoothes the irregularities of the skin texture that dull the epidermis, and makes the skin more luminous. It is important not to neglect the neckline area, where the skin is thin.
Applying cream allows a better tone. In addition to nourishing the skin with its moisturizing agents, applied with a strong gesture, it stimulates the production of collagen and boosts the firmness of the epidermis. The ideal is to massage it from the bottom of the body upwards to optimize venous return. Results ? The skin is more supple, less prone to stretch marks and toned, guaranteeing comfort and light legs.
Which body care should I choose for my skin type?
Normal skin can bet on a milk. Its fluid and light texture brings the right dose of hydration and penetrates quickly.
For dry skin, a cream texture is suitable, especially if it is enriched with film-forming ingredients (beeswax, glycerin). For very dry skin or with an atopic tendency, the balm and butter textures stand out due to their richness in vegetable oil and/or vegetable butter with strong moisturizing power. Allies to track, argan oil, sweet almond, shea butter, for example.
Body cream: good manufacturing reflexes
We favor organic ingredients, free of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We disinfect the utensils, the work plan and the hands before concocting our treatment to avoid microbial contamination. It is stored in the refrigerator. It is labeled to display the dates of creation and expiry.
Three DIY Body Cream Recipes
Great comfort balm:
- 5 tablespoons sweet almond oil
- 10 g of beeswax
- 5 drops of rosewood essential oil
- Pour the sweet almond oil into a bowl and add the beeswax.
- Place the bowl in a bain-marie to melt the beeswax. When the mixture is clear, remove the bowl from the heat and add the rosewood essential oil.
- While the preparation is still lukewarm, using a spoon, gently mix the preparation until a homogeneous cream is obtained.
- Then transfer the cream to an airtight glass jar.
The recipe is from the bookThe Super guide to homemade beauty products,Astrid Eulalie, ed. First, €15.
Advice from our expert:
This balm is ideal in winter for mature skin, dry to very dry skinperfect for rough areas (heels, elbows, knees). Sweet almond oil nourishes, protects the skin, accelerates cell repair and beeswax heals and is anti-inflammatory.
Beware of rosewood essential oil which may present allergy risks ! We replace it with essential oil of organic lavender from Provence, soothing and revitalizing, which, as a bonus, optimizes the conservation of the formula for up to 6 months. In contrast, this treatment is to be avoided for pregnant or breastfeeding womenthis essential oil is contraindicated for them.
Anti-Aging Body Butter:
- 70ml argan oil
- 30g cocoa butter
- 5g beeswax
- 10 drops of vitamin E
- Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax in a bowl over a bain-marie, and pour in the argan oil.
- Remove from the heat, add the vitamin E and mix everything together.
- When the preparation is homogeneous, the bowl is cooled in a pan of iced water while mixing until the butter begins to freeze.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight jar and let it harden for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
The recipe is from Practical guide Natural care home cosmetics, Morgane Van de Stadt, ed. Mycosmetik, €9.80.
Advice from our expert:
This recipe boasts a combination of high performing ingredients for dry or mature, rough skin. Antioxidant and regeneratingArgan oil fight against the effects of skin aging. Associated with cocoa butter which stimulates the production of collagen, it nourishes, softens the skin, improves its elasticity. Beeswax by its film-forming effect protects against external aggressions.
Also an antioxidant, vitamin E reduces the action of free radicals, prevents premature cell aging, and secures the conservation of the care for 3 months of use. This butter is soothing and rebalancing, with an enveloping texture to apply in the evening.
Creamy moisturizing milk:
- 10ml arnica oil
- 5ml coconut oil
- 5ml argan oil
- 6 g of emulsifying wax
- 70 ml of orange blossom hydrosol
- 19 drops of cosgard
- 4 drops of vitamin E
- In a bowl, pour the trio of oils and the emulsifying wax. In a bain-marie, melt the mixture.
- In another bowl, pour the orange blossom hydrosol and heat it in a bain-marie. With a thermometer, we check its temperature and that of the oil-wax mixture.
- At 70°C, the oil-wax mixture is transferred to the orange blossom hydrosol and the bowl is cooled in a container filled with cold water.
- With a whisk, mix the preparation for a few minutes, until it takes on like mayonnaise. Add the cosgard and vitamin E, mix everything and transfer to an airtight bottle.
The recipe is from the book I make my cosmetics 100% natural! Gala Avanzi, ed. Larousse, €5.95.
Advice from our expert:
The trio of oils and the orange blossom hydrosol guarantee a softening and nourishing formula for all skin types with a fluid and light texture for a silky finish on the skin.
Very pleasant, this milk can be applied morning and evening after the shower in light massages. Use all year round. It brings a great feeling of comfort without greasy effect. It is also an SOS treatment in summer, after a sunburn for thirsty skin.
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