Cleansing balms help lift dirt, oil, and makeup without leaving the skin feeling dry. They are beneficial both for those with oily and dry or mature skin complexion.
If you think cleansing balms are a bit pricey, you can make your own to your budget. And the best part of it is that you know that you are only using all-natural ingredients for your skin.
Botaneri's cleansing balm recipe calls for one ounce of Shea butter, one ounce of Sunflower oil, and four drops of your favorite essential oil.
Shea butter is a great skin moisturizer primarily for its high fatty acid content, including linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic acids. This moisturizing property helps skin hold in moisture and reduce skin dryness. It also has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties and is safe for all skin types. It is suggested not to heat or cool Shea butter too quickly to avoid giving a grainy texture to it.
Sunflower oil is a highly absorbent oil that is not known to clog pores. It contains vitamin E, which is a powerful anti-oxidant to help fight premature aging and wrinkles. Like Shea butter, it also contains linoleic acid that acts as a natural barrier for the skin, and oleic acid that helps wounds heal faster.
Note: Test skin sensitivity first to make sure you are not allergic to any of these ingredients.
Making your own cleansing balm
Recipe #1
To make your own cleansing balm for dry/mature skin courtesy of Botaneri, you need to first melt the shea butter on low heat using a double boiler. If you don't have one, use a glass bowl and a small saucepan instead.
Next, stir the shea butter until it melts before immediately transferring it into a bowl at room temperature. Then add sunflower oil (you can also use jojoba oil) to it and stir. Once thoroughly blended, pour in the mixture into a glass container where you leave it to cool for about 45 minutes.
If the mixture is still liquid after 45 minutes, you may add the essential oils and then put it in the refrigerator. Allow the mixture to cool for half an hour. That should give a rich and creamy consistency.
Once ready, you may take a small scoop of the cleansing balm into the palm of your hand. Gently massage into your skin (face, eye, and neck) for about two minutes. Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe away the oil before rinsing. If need, follow up with a toner or moisturizer.
Recipe #2
Another cleansing balm DIY recipe from Mindful Momma adds coconut oil and cocoa butter into the mix. To make your cleansing balm using their recipe, you just need to put two tablespoons of shea butter, one tablespoon of coconut oil, and four cocoa butter disks in a glass bowl.
Microwave the ingredients for about 30 seconds, then stir and microwave them again for an additional 30 seconds. Repeat the procedure until all ingredients are completely melted. Then let the mixture cool slightly.
Then add one teaspoon of calendula oil and five drops each of geranium, frankincense, and bergamot essential oils. Once thoroughly mixed, pour it into a jar and let it cool. You may put it in the refrigerator to speed up the process of solidifying the balm.
