best eye cream

This past weekend I Ied a fun, if chaotic,  workshop where we made five really great skin-care items.  

I did a good bit of research and testing before the workshop.  Many of the recipes I found on-line (from trusted sources) or in books were either just not exactly what I was looking for, too complicated or I felt could be ramped-up just a little. What I eventually ended up with -- all five skin care items -- are products I'd stand up against any $100+ department-store brand.  Mine are chock-full of protective ingredients.  Each ingredient serves a crucial purpose to protect and hydrate skin. 

I really love the products we made and use them daily.

What great gifts these would make (Mother's Day ... anyone?)!

Here's some general tips to keep in mind as you make your own skin care:

• Start with clean hands and work-space.  You want to avoid contamination.
• Use the best, most pure and potent essential oils (yeah, I went there).  See below for more info about my favorite brand.
• Use organic ingredients without additives if possible.  Aside from my essential oils, I bought pretty much everything on Amazon or through a co-op I'm in.
• Easy double boiler:  Fill a medium-sized pot about 1/4 full of water.  Place a one quart Pyrex glass measuring cup in the pot -- with the handle on the outside of the pot.  Bring water to a bare simmer.  Don't let water get inside the Pyrex cup.  Add ingredients to the Pyrex measuring cup. 
• Avoid using water, and if you do choose to, use distilled water.  Water shortens the shelf-life of the products you make. I learned that aloe vera gel makes a good substitute for water and also has anti-microbial properties. Jojoba oil (actually a liquid wax) and beeswax are very shelf stable. 
• Rose hip oil will go rancid quickly.  Refrigerate it.  I actually refrigerate all my left-over ingredients.  Place them in a plastic bin together for easy "inventory control"!
• Since you are making all-natural products without chemical/synthetic preservatives, refrigeration of your finished products is optional but probably a good idea.
• Vodka or grain alcohol that's at least 10% alcohol content is a natural preservative.  Used in tiny amounts, it will not be drying to your skin.  Vitamin E is also a preservative.
• Use clean fingers to dip into your jars.  A good lotion should last at least 4- 6 weeks out of the refrigerator under normal conditions (under 75 degrees F, dim, dry and clean) and at least 3- 6 months in and out of the refrigerator (clean fingers).
• Beeswax is crucial for emulsifying the recipe.  It keeps the ingredients from separating.  It is also protective to the skin. Use the pelleted form for quicker melting and add it first. 
• Make small batches. Use jars that are 1/2 ounce to one ounce in size.  Stash any extra jars of cream in your fridge.  Use glass jars or PET plastic BPA-free containers.  I like plastic for bathroom situations (tile floors!) but it's a personal choice.

Note that the recipes I'll share are not aromatherapy, per se.  I've chosen ingredients because they are skin-care workhorses that are enhancing to health, protective, sun-screening, and hydrating.  These skin care items will smell okay but are not blow-you-away-wow-this-smells-amazing-! products. A bonus: when you use my favorite brand of essential oils in your skin care,  you may find you experience other therapeutic benefits besides beautiful, glowing skin!

This recipe is totally customizable.   The only non-optional ingredient is beeswax.  If you want a lighter cream, use more aloe and less of the butters/oils.  If you want more/less/different essential oils -- be free!  Have fun!

I'll share the five recipes in five blog posts.  Here's the first -- the BEST eye cream you'll ever use.

Best eye cream

• 1 tsp beeswax
• 1/8 cup shea butter
• 1/8 cup coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon Argan oil
• 1 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1 Tbsp jojoba oil
• 8 drops rosehip oil
• 4 drops vitamin E

Melt these together in a double boiler, remove from heat and add:

• 1/3 cup aloe vera gel

• 3 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 2 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops myrrh essential oil
• 2 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 3 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 drops melaleuca essential oil
• 2 drop Helichrysum essential oil
• 2 drop Clary sage essential oil
• 1/4 tsp Vodka (optional – preservative)

Whip with an electric mixer until it is smooth.  
Once well blended, transfer into jars (1/2 or 1 ounce).
Use every morning and night around the eyes.

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If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

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​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

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Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

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