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Basic Cold Cream

Source of Recipe

From "Natural Beauty at Home" by Janice Cox


Recipe Introduction

"Cold cream is the model for all creams and lotions; it's one of the oldest and best known of all beauty products. It is a mixture of oil, wax, water, and a mild alkali. The combination of oil and wax provides a cleansing action when it comes in contact with your skin; dirt and oil on the skin surface are loosened and can then be gently wiped off with a clean, soft tissue or cloth. Left on, it acts as an emollient to soften and smooth the skin and relieve dryness."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ â…› teaspoon borax powder
â—¦ ¼ cup distilled water
â—¦ ½ cup mineral oil or light cooking oil
â—¦ 2 tablespoons grated beeswax


Recipe

Dissolve the borax in the water in a glass measuring cup and set aside.

Mix together the oil and beeswax in another glass measuring cup. Place the glass cup in a pan of water (about 1 to 2 inches of water), making a water bath. Heat the oil-beeswax mixture in the water bath over medium heat until the beeswax is melted, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the wax is melted, bring the borax-water mixture almost to boiling — I do this by putting the glass cup in the microwave on high for 1 minute. You may also heat it on the stove top in a water bath.

Remove the oil-beeswax mixture from the water bath. Slowly add the borax-water mixture to it, stirring briskly. (You can also put the mixtures in the blender and whip.)

Pour the cream into a clean container with a lid. This mixture will last virtually forever — or at least until you have used it up. To use, massage a small amount into your skin and tissue off or rinse off with warm water.


Makes 8 ounces


• Note:
The mixture will become white and fluffy but will be a little runny until it has cooled completely. Once cooled, you will have a nice basic cold cream. Because you have not added any perfumes, it will remain unscented. If you choose to prepare a cold cream with a fragrance, just add a few drops of your favorite scent as the mixture is cooling.