This is what I have been concentrating on, facial creams.
What you are seeing in jars are a variation of cream try-outs. I am looking for a whipped cream consistency, not too thick, not too heavy.
When a cream or lotion is created, it should be created for the skin type and needs of the person that will use the product. In this case, I am creating a product for mature skin. I use botanicals, essential oils, and ingredients that are known to help with skin rejuvenation such as antioxidants, moisturizers, and humectants.
Why am I starting with mature skin? Skin fitness, my own.
I created a skin serum in February 2010 that I have been very happy with. I roll it onto my skin diligently twice a day, and yes, I did see results. The serum will be available in my online store very soon. But, I also enjoy using a cream late-night, as I suspect others do as well. So the brain went into action. As my husband says, she “put the little chemist hat on.”
Trial one began a few weeks ago. The result is a cream that is beautiful to look at. And it definitely is moisturizing, but it leaves a waxy feel. Not good.
Trial two, today, too thin. Lovely and refreshing on the skin, but it runs around in the jar, despite the beautiful creamy look to the product.
Trial three, today, exactly right. Light, yet thick enough to not move from side to side in the jar. Thin enough to place the product in a dispenser where fingers will never touch the cream.
Now I wait. Creams and lotions will continue to thicken within the first 72 hours.
My carefully laid out notes, with each trial, began with research. I researched the natural ingredients, matching them to skin types. Essential oils and botanicals, all plant derived, are amazing. I researched the preservative, the one and only part of a cream that will not be natural. I researched the emulsifier (the ingredient that binds water to oil), to ensure it was as natural as possible, yet, gave the cream body without a heavy drag.
How long have I been working on the formula? Off and on for 3 months.
Patience is key.
And I am the lucky recipient of the trial products. I have sensitive skin, but have not had a reaction to the creams or serums as of yet. As I tell my clients, test the products on a small patch of your skin to ensure you have no reaction. Even though a product is marked all natural, it does not necessarily mean it is not going to cause a skin reaction.
A natural product that contains citrus oils, for example, can cause your skin to be extra photosensitive (be cautious with sunlight exposure). There are also known allergies. For example, if you have hay-fever, you may have a problem with a chamomile essential oil.
Have fun, enjoy…and if you have any questions, please let me know.
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
These look great Mary. You are a wonderful creator of natural products. I can’t wait to try them out for myself.
Thanks, Melissa! You put a lot of Earth and people care into your products as well.
Yes, Mary, you have to be a chemist to do all this testing and trying out. I’m glad you started on mature skin – I’m sure I’ll have to be trying out some of that!!! I can’t find just the right thing for me. I have some of that Swiss lotion that has collagen that works pretty good on my skin. It’s a hand/body lotion – not really for the face, but I like the way it feels and it’s not greasy. You’ll have to recommend one of yours when they’re ready! I’m looking forward to that!
I sure will, Vickie. I used the thinner facial cream as a body cream last night. I loved it. Once I finish this series of cream, I am going to revamp the goat milk lotion recipe too.
Mary, I want some when it’s ready. Also, can you figure a wrinkle remover somewhere in the mix?! 🙂 I love using natural products, and I know that yours will be just perfect.
I’ve been quite busy working lately and haven’t had a lot of blog cruising time, but I’m checking as often as I can. Thanks for all your prayers for Sam and his team. They are in Malaysia now and are going into an area that CFNI has not been – doing a little pioneering. They’ll be there for five days, and I don’t know if they will have internet service there. Doing much praying here. 🙂
My prayers will definitely continue for Sam, Debbie. They are doing a wonderful service, one that will always be a part of their memory. One that isn’t being done in a safety shield either, which makes it such an act of brotherhood and love.
I hope to announce the availability of the face cream within a week. I love it. It is smooth, not heavy. A wrinkle remover? Well, I wish I could say that, ha. Let’s put it this way, I am using botanicals and oils that have been said to help smooth wrinkles. I cannot stake the claim. I will say the cream is good for mature skin that craves revitalizing, like mine.
This is so important and often overlooked in some home production of facial creams. I was talking to a lady at the Saturday Market who purchased a facial cream of herbs and goat milk ( I think ) and whatever herb was included caused her whole face to swell up and she ended up in the hospital.
Research, research, research, sounds like you Mary. When your cream is ready let me know.
Kathy, yes! All of us tend to purchase new products and make it a habit of using them right away without a second thought, without doing a patch test. You just never know when we might be allergic to a particular ingredient. Great point out of the lady that did indeed have an allergic reaction.