Elixir is a substance, usually a liquid, with a magical power to cure, improve, or preserve something.
The latest skin care trend is pampering your skin with a face serum or Elixir. Diva Talk Research team brings to you a guide to custom make Face elixir for your clients and create your own Brand.
The skin care OTC hi-street brands probably don’t want you to know, but we would like to let you in on a little secret: create custom made concoctions& Elixirs for each of your clients. Read further and imbibe the power.
If you have ever used store-bought facial moisturizers or oils, you should also know that conventional brands are not only fairly expensive, they typically contain toxic fragrances and sometimes other chemical ingredients to mask the smell, along with parabens to preserve it, thickening agents, penetration enhancers, and petrochemical-based emollients. While these ingredients might sound fancy, most of them aren’t even very effective. Apart from the various chemicals and harsh additives, It’s the oil that offers the moisturizing action that the skin needs to stay soft and supple. But you can not just advice your clients to simply smooth any old oil onto there faces. Another concern is that oils will clog the pores, or cause an acne breakout. That can and probably will happen if your clients use a mineral oil or animal fat based moisturizer, as those tend to form a waterproof plastic film on top of all the debris on the surface of the skin that locks in dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, and sebum. Which is definitely not healthy for the skin.
Instead, Plant oils are a lot closer to the type the skin produces naturally, which means they can more easily be absorbed by the skin without clogging pores. They also help to bind moisture to the skin and strengthen cell membranes. If your clients wash there face with a product that strips natural oils then replacing them with natural oils that nourish can make it less oily and even eliminate those acne and blackhead breakouts too.
So wear on your magician capes, become the only person in the worlds who understands your client’s skin best, create custom made skin oils or elixirs and make a lot of money too. A custom concoction made exclusive for each skin type, sounds tough but instead is easy. All you need is three ingredients to put together a customized facial oil.
PRE CARE
But before we tell you how to get started, keep these tips in mind for the best results.
- Always ask your client to wash their face before applying any facial oil, elixir or moisturizer. If they put it on a dirty face, it only serves to seal in the dirt and grime and will have the opposite of the desired effect.
- When choosing the ingredients to make your client’s customized facial oil, be sure to choose them based on your client’s particular skin type. One of the biggest mistakes people make when using products on their face is choosing one that doesn’t fit their skin type. If you aren’t sure what your client’s skin type is, examine it at the end of the day. How does it feel, and how does it look? Is her T-zone dry, oily, or fairly normal?
- Ask your client to apply facial oil while her skin is still wet to lock moisture in. Preferably in the morning, guide her to ideally apply within just a few minutes of exiting the shower.
- Before applying makeup, explain to your clients to allow the oils to completely absorb into there skin – There is no rush. Educate your client on how to apply the facial oil and then give it a few minutes before layering on with her makeup. If you don’t allow the oil to absorb, it can interfere with cosmetics, which means your client will have to wash them off and start all over again, wasting time and money.
Now, ready to make your own perfect facial oil, elixir or skin magic portion:
INGREDIENT NO. 1: THE CARRIER OIL
The carrier oil, or base oil, will be the primary ingredient in your customized facial oil blend, so it’s important to choose well. If you aren’t sure which type of carrier oil you should use, you may want to begin by patch testing with only the carrier oil and testing that on your client’s neck or sides of the cheeks first, before adding the other ingredients. If your client’s face does well with it after say about an hour later, you can move forward by building on that.
Some of the best, and most commonly used carrier oils include:
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is an extremely nourishing oil that contains more mono-unsaturated fatty acids than any other oil, giving it the ability to intensely moisturize and relieve dry, itchy, dehydrated skin, as well as to promote younger looking skin. At the same time, it also works for acne prone skin types as it serves to heal blemishes. If your clients suffer from eczema or psoriasis, sweet almond oil is another great choice, helping to relieve the redness, itching, and inflammation. The only drawback to this all-around excellent oil is that it takes a little longer to be absorbed, as it works to heal blemishes. So in case of oily skins, use very moderately or mix with another lighter carrier oil.
Almond oil works as a natural face exfoliator to help to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of healthier skin. When applied to the skin, it’s absorbed by the fatty cells; the moisture in the oil is then utilized by the tissues to repair damaged cells and give skin a more youthful appearance. Due to its antioxidant properties, the oil is also known to help protect skin from UV radiation damage and keep the skin feeling soft and supple. As it has a light texture, and can easily be absorbed into the skin, almond oil can help dislodge debris from deep within the pores, and may also prevent future breakouts due to its vitamin A content.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil, which is technically not an oil but a wax ester, is distilled from the seeds of the jojoba tree native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. It has a consistency and molecular structure that is similar to sebum, or the oil your skin produces. It’s also lightweight, non-greasy and good for acne-prone and oily skin as well as dry, aging and normal skin. The reason that it’s such a great choice for those who suffer from acne, is its ability to mimic the skin’s sebum, therefore tricking the skin into thinking that it’s already produced enough oil, which reduces the amount of sebum on its surface. Jojoba also absorbs very quickly into the skin, as compared to other oils.
As jojoba oil is naturally similar to human sebum, as mentioned, those with oily skin can benefit the most by using this oil, which will help regulate the skin’s natural production of oil. By mimicking the structure of the epidermis, it allows the oil to penetrate quicker, delivering nutrients sub-dermally, which means that it can actually “convince” the skin that it’s already produced enough oil to prevent problems like greasy skin and excess oil production.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is one of the richest sources of beneficial mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, which can have an immediate effect on the texture and appearance of the skin. This quality makes Avocado Oil an ideal option for dry, aging skin. Not only does it do extremely well for hydrating and softening your client’s skin, it is also often recommended as an effective treatment for acne and blackheads, eczema and other forms of skin inflammation. It’s even been reported to be beneficial for diminishing age spots and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
The high proportion of mono-unsaturated fatty acids in avocado even makes it outstanding for use as a sunscreen, as the fats form a protective layer over the skin. In fact, avocado oil is said to have the highest natural SPF among all vegetable oils. It will protect against both UVA and UVB rays as well as protect the skin against environmental damage, due to its high level of powerful antioxidants. Thanks to its high palmitic acid content, avocado oil is also quite easily absorbed by human skin, helping to keep it firm and smooth.
Just a small amount of this soothing oil tends to go a long way in relieving that persistent itching, redness, swelling and other common symptoms of eczema. When it comes to acne, the oil’s vitamin C and K helps boost the immune system, and fight acne-causing bacteria. Vitamin E helps to keep it hydrated to prevent excess oil production, which further helps to battle acne.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is right up there with grape seed oil when it comes to healing skin issues. Not only can it help fight acne, it’s been found to help heal skin conditions like rashes, eczema, and psoriasis. Its fatty acids are believed to affect immune responses in the body that can help promote healing, which is also likely to do with its perfect balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. It has a comedogenic rating of zero, which means that it has a zero chance of breaking you out or clogging your pores. Like grapeseed oil, it will help your skin balance its sebum oil production to prevent breakouts.
This oil is also excellent for oily skin as it is easily absorbed, moisturizing without being greasy, and it can help clean and detoxify as well as even out skin tone. While it nourishes dry skin, it doesn’t stick to it and clog pores like many other types of oils often do. If you are looking for a good moisturizer that doesn’t leave a greasy residue, hemp seed oil is an excellent choice. Because it is so similar to the natural skin lipids, it is able to penetrate cells and lubricate surfaces that are in between. That makes hemp seed oil an ideal choice for all types of skin.
Coconut Oil
Coconuts are jam-packed with protein, fatty acids and vitamin E that are easily absorbed into the skin, while also offering antibacterial properties. It makes an ideal moisturizer for nourishing dry skin, as well as for those who have combination skin who want to soothe dry areas. Commercial moisturizers contain lots of water, which gives a feel of the skin being moisturized. Although as soon as that water dries, the skin becomes dry again, not to mention all of those petroleum-based ingredients that can suffocate the skin. Instead, coconut oil offers deep, real long-lasting moisture, while helping to strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cells on the skin’s surface that make the skin rough and flaky in texture. This oil contains medium chain fatty acids that when applied to the skin, help make it smooth to the touch, and because of these fats, coconut oil can aid in retaining the moisture content of the skin, as the fats eliminate moisture loss through the pores on the skin.
Coconut oil is ideal for addressing mature, aging skin due to its high level of vitamin C, which is essential for healthy skin growth, repair of wear and tear on the skin, keeping skin smooth and protecting it against cracking. It can prevent premature aging and wrinkles too. Traditionally, coconut oil has been praised for its anti-aging properties. In other cultures, coconut oil has been used for healing wounds and skin infections thanks to its antibacterial compounds.
Argan Oil
Argan oil, sourced from the seeds of Moroccan Argan trees, contain healing and anti-aging properties to keep skin balanced, hydrated, and glowing. It’s excellent for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone, normal, aging and dry skin.
Argan oil, sourced from the seeds of Moroccan Argan trees, sometimes referred to as “liquid gold,” contains healing and anti-aging properties to keep skin balanced, hydrated, and glowing. It’s excellent for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone, normal, aging and dry skin, excellent for preventing and eliminating scars, stretch marks, fine lines, and wrinkles, as it is loaded with vitamin E and essential fatty acids that offer real moisture without clogging pores. It protects and softens, It absorbs easily and is non-greasy and non-irritating, which makes it a great natural moisturizer.
Argan oil contains triterpenoids that provide impressive health benefits for skin, including treating mild acne and healing of acne-related scarring. It’s even been proven in studies to lower sebum levels in those with oily skin, reducing greasiness and improving overall appearance. As Argan oil is high in linoleic acid, it further helps by reducing inflammation caused by acne while helping to heal skin cells that have been damaged.
This is an ideal oil for erasing signs of premature aging – in fact, that’s why so many Moroccans have famously used it for preventing issues like crow’s feet and wrinkles. Regular use of Argan oil has been proven to reduce the depth and severity of wrinkles, as well as to fade age spots by restoring skin’s youthful elasticity and by increasing the regenerative rate of healthy skin cells.
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil contains numerous compounds that make it beneficial for the skin – it’s one of the best for anti-aging as well as for expecting moms.
When applied topically, Rosehip oil can protect the skin and increase cell turnover, as it contains vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D and B-carotene, a form of vitamin A, and which are all antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It’s particularly beneficial for aging, dry skin, although it can be used by those with normal skin. This oil is rich in essential fatty acids, particularly oleic, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic and palmitic. When absorbed through the skin, its fatty acids are converted to prostaglandins, which are necessary for cellular membrane and tissue regeneration.
Rosehip oil also has a high level of vitamin C that makes it one of the richest plant sources for the skin. This is truly one of the best oils for use by expectant mothers as it helps to maintain elasticity and rejuvenate skin, preventing or even eradicating stretch marks.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil contains antioxidants that help fight off damage from UV light which can lead to age spots and wrinkles. While it isn’t the best for dry skin, it’s great for oily or acne-prone skin, and normal skin too.
For women with acne-prone skin or oily skin, grapeseed oil is one of the very best picks, thanks to its astringent properties. The oil derived from the seed of the grape is rich in antioxidants and contains linoleic acid, which is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and is especially powerful for fighting against acne. It’s quickly absorbed into the skin, to deliver its potent compounds deep into cell tissue. While it may sound counter intuitive, applying oil onto the skin actually helps to minimize oil production, and grapeseed oil is ideal for this purpose. It soothes skin that’s already breaking out and also limits excess oil production to prevent acne from forming. That’s because, when the skin is allowed to dry out, it can actually increase the oiliness of the skin as that is its natural reaction when it gets too dry. Grapeseed oil is light so it doesn’t leave the skin with a heavy, greasy feeling. Instead, it moisturizes while balancing oily and dry areas.
Grapeseed oil is also excellent for reducing the appearance of dark, under-eye circles. If used every day for a few weeks, a significant difference can be noticed. The oil can help to restore collagen too, thanks to it being rich in those OPCs (oligomeric proantho cyanidins). These compounds help to eradicate free radicals and promote the restoration of collagen at the cellular level. It makes the skin feel firmer, while also minimizing and preventing signs of damage.
INGREDIENT NO. 2: EXTRA NOURISHING OILS
If you’re on a tight budget, you can actually skip Ingredient No. 2 and use only No. 1 and No. 3 to make your customized facial oils or elixirs as we like to call it. These oils are a bit pricier, though the results are generally well-worth the cost. If you decide to skip this step, you might want to consider it again in the future.
If you do want to include these “bonus” oils, here are some you can consider adding to the mix.
Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil contains a high level of GLAs, and fatty acids essential for skin health. It’s also known to boost blood circulation, which is helpful to treat tired, dull skin. It’s especially good for aging, dry skin but it works well for all skin types.
Borage oil
Borage oil is extremely high in oleic acids and is good for all skin types, though it’s particularly effective for acne-prone and oily skin. It’s also helpful for those that tend to suffer from skin problems like eczema.
Emu oil
Emu oil is an incredible oil used for promoting more youthful looking skin as well as for protecting against sun damage, battling eczema, wrinkles and age spots. It’s especially nourishing for dry or aging skin.
Rosehip oil
There are many qualities of Rosehip oil that make it beneficial for the skin. For facial care, some of its benefits when applied externally include protecting the skin and increasing cell turnover, as it contains vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D and B-carotene, a form of vitamin A, and which are all antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It’s particularly beneficial for aging, dry skin, though,it can be used by those with normal skin.
The reason why we repeated the Rosehip Oil here is that fact that is expensive. It can very well be used as carrier oil, but being an expensive oil, we can take another carrier oil and add a proportional portion of Rosehip Oil and still get great results.
INGREDIENT NO. 3: YOUR FAVORITE ESSENTIAL OIL
Finally, your third ingredient is simply your or your client’s favorite essential oil. You only need to add a couple of tiny drops to obtain its incredible benefits for the skin, as essential oils are very potent, meaning a little goes a long way. The key is to select only pure, high-quality essential oils. And, as there are far too many out there that offer benefits to the skin, this is simply a list of some of the most commonly used and widely available options.
Lavender
Lavender can be added by those with oily, acne-prone, normal or dry skin. It won’t clog pores, while its antiseptic and antibacterial properties offer a natural solution to mild acne.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is good for normal, oily and acne-prone skin. Its antiseptic and astringent properties make it ideal for getting more even toned and glowing skin. It can sterilize the pores and strengthen skin tissues too.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is great for acne-prone and oily skin as it offers a calming effect on inflammation. It may also help improve skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Chamomile
Chamomile, particularly Roman chamomile, is great for healing and soothing and can help calm a rash, treat acne, inflammation, eczema, dermatitis, dry and itchy skin. It can be used by all skin types.
Geranium
This is an excellent, versatile oil that’s especially good for aging, sensitive, dry and normal skin. It helps to balance oil production and condition the skin. Add it to your customized face elixir to help with over and under production of oil.
Frankincense
Frankincense is an essential oil everyone should have. It can be used on all types of skin, and is especially ideal for those who have elasticity issues, want to treat aging skin or to regenerate skin cells. It can tone and tighten skin, as well as help with pigmentation. It may even help reduce the appearance of dark spots caused from eczema and acne blemishes.
Clary sage
Clary sage is great for all types of skin. It helps to regulate sebum production, making it good for both oily and dry skin, tones the skin by acting as a mild astringent and it reduces inflammation associated with acne. It also offers antibacterial properties that can be particularly helpful for battling blemishes.
Palma Rosa
Palma Rosa is also excellent for any skin type, though it’s particularly effective for those prone to breakouts. It also helps to soften and soothe aging skin.
Neroli
Neroli is ideal for treating mature or sensitive skin. It’s renowned for its ability to regenerate the skin cells and improve the elasticity of the skin. It also helps maintain the right oil balance in the skin, making it a great choice for all skin types. Because of its ability to revive skin at the cellular level, this essential oil can even be beneficial for wrinkles and scars as well. If you have any type of skin condition caused by or related to stress, consider using neroli as it offers fabulous overall healing and calming abilities. It can also be useful for treating bacterial skin conditions and rashes as it has antimicrobial ability.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is extremely effective for maintaining moisture and oil balance of the skin and keeps the skin looking hydrated, smooth, and young. It’s great for battling oily or acne prone skin while still helping to stimulate cell growth to fight the effects of aging.
Finally, to make your customized facial oil or elixir, simply choose an ingredient from each category – skipping No. 2 if you have to. Fill a dark or amber colored glass bottle two thirds of the way with one of Ingredient No. 1, then fill with one of Ingredient No. 2 before adding 3-5 drops of essential oil, and voila! However, you can mix up to maximum 3 essential oil but not exceeding 6 to 8 drops in total. Create a cheat sheet which you can have a quick refer to while consulting each client. Whilst you personally sit with your client, study her skin, make notes and derive a concoction best suited to her skin. Create it as an experience for client, something she wont find elsewhere or with any of the hi street brands. Make is sound exclusive and customized especially for each client, thus building up on returning clients as well. You now have your own perfect facial oil that’s ideal for your particular skin type and better than any hi street brand face serum or elixir. DT