Skin care

When we become stressed, the small muscles close to the skin tend to contract. This can leave our skin under nourished with blood, and our complexion and skin tone suffer. Using essential oils can help counteract this. Tense skin is frequently much drier than normal skin, and probably the best way to use essential oils is to mix them into your favourite skin cream. Obviously, this is best if the skin cream is originally unperfumed. To make a reviving skin tonic, add three drops sanadalwood and three drops rose oil, or four drops neroli and two drops rose oil to a 25g/10z pot of skin cream. Mix together and apply to the skin. To make a fragrant rose lotion which is excellent for all skin types, mix 175ml/6fl oz unscented body lotion with ten drops rose essential oil. Pour into a bottle with a tight lid to store. A refreshing, lightly fragranced citrus body lotion can be made in the same way using 175ml/6fl oz unscented body lotion, ten drops grapefruit essential oil and five drops bergamot essential oil; however, do not apply this lotion before going into the sun. CLASSIC CLEANSERS Gentle but effective cleansers are easy to make from pure, simple ingredients. Soapwort cleansing liquid is made by placing 15g/1/2 oz chopped soapwort root (available from herbalists) in a pan with 600ml/1 pint bottled spring water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion through a paper filter, then stir in 50ml/2fl oz rose water and decant the mixture into a glass bottle. This will keep for a month in the fridge. Another classic cleanser is almond oil cleanser, which is a traditional mix of beeswax, almond oil and rose water. Melt 25g/10z white beeswax in a double boiler and whisk in 150ml/5fl oz almond oil. In a pan, add 1.5ml/1/4 tsp bprax (available from chemists) to 60ml/4 tbsp rose water and warm gentle to dissolve. Slowly add the rose water mixture to the oils, whisking all the time. Add a few drops of rose essential oil. Continue to whisk until the mixture has a smooth, creamy tecture. Pour the cleanser into a container and leave to cool. Replace the lid. To use the cleanser, smooth it on to the skin remove with damp cotton wool.