Green Tea–Infused Oil

Green tea has tremendous benefits as a skincare ingredient. It has been

shown to reactivate dying skin cells, thereby improving the condition of

the skin. This nourishing antioxidant-rich all-purpose oil is used as a base

ingredient in several recipes throughout the book, but you can also use it

on its own as an anti-aging oil for your face and body.

YIELDS: 8 ounces

⁄ cup loose leaf green tea

1 cup jojoba oil or coconut oil (coconut oil is solid at 76°F (24.4°C);

use coconut oil for this infusion as a stand-alone body butter in

cooler climates)

What you will need: double boiler, measuring cups, rubber spatula,

strainer (cheesecloth or tea strainer), 8-ounce bottle or jar, funnel

1. To Make: Start a double boiler on medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat

to a simmer. Place the green tea into the pan. If using jojoba oil, pour it over

the tea leaves, saturating them. If using coconut oil, melt it first in the

double boiler and then add the green tea, stirring to saturate the leaves.

Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour. Check back every 20 minutes or

so to make sure there is enough water in the double boiler. Remove from

heat, take the top pot off the double boiler, and let cool.

2. To Store: Strain tea from oil into a storage jar. The jojoba will remain

liquid. Place the coconut oil in the refrigerator to cool and solidify back to a

solid butter form. Will keep 2 years or longer if stored in a cool dark place.

3. To Use: For use as a facial moisturizing oil: Mist your face with Old-

Fashioned Rosewater or your favorite toner. Place a few drops onto the tips

of your fingers and gently massage the oil into your facial skin.

HELPFUL HINTS

Jojoba oil and coconut oil are specified for this recipe because both

of these oils have a relatively long shelf life and are particularly

beneficial for facial care use. However, they are not interchangeable

when specified in the recipes throughout this book due to the drastic

difference in consistency. Jojoba oil is liquid and coconut oil is solid

at 76°F (24.4°C). For example, the green tea–infused jojoba is used

in the Vital Facial Moisturizer and coconut oil is called for in the

Green Tea Eye Cream. Keeping this in mind, you can also substitute

your favorite carrier oil to suit your needs.

Comments

Green Tea and Adzuki Cleansing Grains

Traditional Asian facial cleansing grains, like this one, use adzuki beans that gently exfoliate without damaging the surface of the skin. In addition, green tea is a powerful antioxidant that helps rejuvenate the skin, prevent and repair sun damage, and promote elasticity. And the healing powers of chamomile calm and soothe redness and irritation. YIELDS: 1 pint ⁄ cup adzuki beans ⁄ cup green tea leaves ⁄ cup chamomile flowers ⁄ cup brown rice flour ⁄ cup kaolin clay What you will need: coffee grinder, mixing bowl, fine-meshed sieve, pint-size canning jar with lid, spice jar with sifter cap, optional 1. To Make: Before you begin, find a protective face mask, or tie a bandana to cover your nose and mouth, to avoid breathing the powders. Next, put the adzuki beans, green tea, and chamomile into the jar, close the lid, and shake. Fill a coffee grinder with the mixture and grind to a very fine powder. Place the sieve over the mixing bowl. Empty the grinder into the sieve. Carefully sift t...

Green Tea Eye Cream

The active ingredients in this revitalizing under-eye cream help alleviate dark circles and puffy eyes while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A little of this silky Green Tea Eye Cream will melt right into your skin for lovely results. YIELDS: ⁄ ounce 3 teaspoons Green Tea–Infused Oil 2 vitamin E capsules 2 drops carrot seed essential oil What you will need: boiling water, glass measuring cup, shallow bowl, chopstick, rubber spatula, jar with lid to hold ⁄ ounce of cream 1. To Make: Create a mini double boiler by pouring boiling water in the bottom of a shallow bowl. Put the Green Tea–Infused Oil into a glass measuring cup and place the cup into the bowl of boiling water to melt. Stir it a little to help it along. Once the oil has melted, remove the cup from the hot water and wipe dry. Pierce the vitamin E capsules and squeeze the liquid out into the melted oil, discarding the gel caps. Add the carrot seed essential oil and stir the ingredients together with a c...

Glowing Goddess Face and Body Mask

Cleopatra’s favorite beauty treatment was bathing in milk, honey, and roses. This enchanting combination will nourish, moisturize, exfoliate, and invigorate your skin to a gorgeous glow. Use this decadent whole body mask for soft milk-and-honey skin that radiates with a gorgeous goddess glow. YIELDS: 1–2 full body masks Petals of 2 roses ⁄ cup honey ⁄ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream) 1 cup almond meal What you will need: blender, rubber spatula, mixing bowl, measuring cups, fork 1. To Make: Place the rose petals, honey, and cream into the blender and mix on low until you have a uniform blend. Place the creamed roses in the mixing bowl, using the rubber spatula to remove as much as possible from the blender. Add the almond meal and stir with a fork until you have a uniform consistency. Add more cream or almond meal, a little at a time as necessary to achieve a spreadable paste. 2. To Store: This is best used fresh. Plan to prepare this recipe just before your spa treatment. Store...

SKIN CARE PLANET

Search This Blog