Making the Basic Lecithin Based Skin Creme
Traditional lecithin-based face and skin cremes are made with heat, and must be carefully mixed in order to achieve a good texture.

I prefer to bypass the whole heating process, and use this simpler method to make wonderful cremes that can be customized for many purposes.  The only things that can not be added to this recipe are butters--such as shea butter, cocoa butter, etc.  Butters require the traditional  heating method.

Preparation

Be sure that your workspace, jars,  and utensils are clean.  You will want to avoid contamination of the cremes, as this can shorten the shelf life of your products.

The Cold Creme Method

Cremes are made of 3 parts;  the water phase, the fat phase, and an emulsifier to bond them together, in this case lecithin.

• First, prepare your water phase.  The water phase can be composed of anything from straight water to hydrosol, herbal teas and extracts, anything that is water based.  
• If you are using added powders, raw herbs, essential oils, honey, etc., you may add it to the water phase and stir it well, allowing it to be absorbed into the room temperature water.
• Next add the lecithin.  If you are using powdered lecithin, add it to the water and let is steep awhile, waiting until the lecithin becomes a fully hydrated liquid, no longer grainy.  If using liquid lecithin, add it to the water and go directly to the next step.
• Stir well.
• If you are using more than one oil, blend them together.  Add the oil phase to the water phase.
• Use a small whip, an electric stirrer, or a small jar with a tight fitting lid.  Shake , whip, or stir the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, until it holds the consistency of a creme.  
• Put the creme into a small jar--glass is best but some BPA-free plastics are fine too.  Always store the creme in the refrigerator to get the longest shelf life.  You can use essential oils to extend the shelf life as well, but know that it is always an experiment to see which oils will work in your recipe to actually extend the shelf life.  Experience is the key here.

Recipes

Here are a few good recipes that you can make at home.  Try them first to hang of it, then try making up your own unique recipes.  

Creme for Dry Skin

Water phase:  

6 teaspoons Rose hydrosol, with 1 drop Neroli EO and one drop Rose EO added

1 teaspoon lecithin 

Fat Phase:

1 teaspoon Jojoba

1 teaspoon Rose hip seed CO2 extract

Creme for Aging Skin

Water Phase:

6 teaspoons astragalus tea with 1 drop Rose EO and 1 drop Zdravets EO added

1 teaspoon lecithin 

Fat Phase:

1 teaspoon Carrot CO2 extract

1 teaspoon Rose hip seed CO2 extract

Creme for Acne and Rashes

Water Phase:

6 teaspoons Melissa hydrosol, with 1 drop Tea Tree EO, 1 drop Rosalina EO, and 1 drop Mastic EO added

1 teaspoon lecithin 

Fat Phase:

1 teaspoon Neem CO2 extract

1 teaspoon Rose hip seed CO2 extract

Creme for Oily Skin

Water Phase:

6 teaspoons Rose hydrosol, with 2 drops of Manuka EO added

1 teaspoon lecithin

Fat Phase: 

2 teaspoons Sweet Almond Oil

Creme for Spider Veins or Reddening Skin

Water Phase:

6 teaspoons lavender or melissa hydrosol, with one drop Geranium EO and one drop Lemon EO added

1 teaspoon lecithin

Fat Phase:

1 teaspoon Sweet Almond oil

1 teaspoon Argan oil

There are many possible combination, using any of your favorite botanical oils, CO2 extracts, and hydrosols.  The more you make this recipe, the more consistent your base cremes will begin to turn out.  Have fun, and enjoy the benefits of truly natural skin cremes.

A Little About Lecithin

Lecithin is a natural emulsifier, meaning that it bonds with lipophilic molecules, as well as hydrophilic molecules.  This is another way of saying that it joins together 2 opposing forces--water and oil.

It also has some major benefits for the skin.  It promotes deep penetration of fats and oils into the epidermis.  It also reduces inflammation and irritation of the skin.  It stimulates cell regeneration, improves skin texture, and smoothes wrinkles.  Being an anti-oxidant, it also protects the skin from free radical damage.

Although it can feel a bit heavy or stickily if used at too high of a percentage in your bases, lecithin absorbs very well into the skin.  It does have a unique aroma, but it is easily transformed by adding a drop or two of essential oils, which will over ride the subtle aroma nicely.

When you discover your own magical formula for skin creme, pleas writ in to the blog and let us share it with everyone!  We love to hear from you.