COSMETIC BASE PRODUCTS
Natural Cosmetics - Make your own!

To look good is to feel good. But natural beauty is not just a goddess-given attribute; it is an outward expression of good nutrition and radiant health. It lies within our powers to nurture this quality in ourselves - all it takes is to give our bodies the tender loving care it deserves.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and undoubtedly the most exposed to the wear and tear of daily life and to toxins and tensions in our environment. It forms the boundary between our watery inner world and the dry outer world and protects us from all kinds of environmental pollutants that all take their toll.

The skin is very hard working too- not only does it act as a protective layer against these external assaults, it is also one of the most important organs of elimination. It actually rids the body of accumulated, metabolic toxins, as well as literally sweating out emotional imbalances - anger, insecurity and fear that changes the pH level of the skin, which in turn often results in pimples and blackheads, or worse. Many commercially available cosmetics aggravate these problems, because instead of clearing the pores they only clog them up. The list of artificial ingredients is long and scary. Alcohols, mineral oils, parabens, emulsifiers and preservatives make up the bulk - and none of these really benefit the skin. In fact, they damage it by removing the protective natural oils of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to dehydration and facilitating easy access to disease causing organisms. Natural beauty products without any chemical additives are hard to find, since their commercial viability depends largely on the duration of their shelf-life and competitive production costs.

Natural cosmetics consist mostly of vegetable oils, butters, clays, flower waters and waxes mixed with essential oils. Their shelf life is considerably shorter than products made with mineral oils and synthetic preservatives. However, with a little practice and the right ingredients at hand it is not difficult to make your own pure natural cosmetics at home, which you can easily adapt to your own specific skin type and taste.

Star Child offers an extensive range of base products for the creative kitchen alchemist, who likes to make her own potions and lotions from scratch. We carry pure vegetable oils, infused oils, vegetable ‘butters’, waxes, flower waters and clays, as well as a wide range of essential oils - all you need to make your own range of natural cosmetics.

RAW MATERIALS
Making your own cosmetics, lotions and creams is not just great fun, but also allows you to choose exactly what you want to put on your skin. Thus you can leave out the preservatives, which are a standard addition to all ready-made cosmetics. Keep in mind though, that preparations without preservatives won’t keep as long. For best results make small batches, use darkened bottles and store them in a cool, dark place.

The basic process of blending your own creams and lotions involves combining a watery element with a fatty base by means of an emulsifying agent, which gives them a creamy consistency. Each type of oil has its own properties and is suited to particular types of skin and blending processes. You can also make your own soaps, which can be an endlessly creative pursuit and one that your friends and family will greatly appreciate. A good book on homemade cosmetics should cover the properties of all the different base ingredients in detail, as well as provide clear instructions, measurements and some yummy recipes to get you started.