Here in Europe, on 21 of June this day, we get to enjoy the longest daylight of the year. This day is 7 hours, 56 minutes longer daylight than on December Solstice. In most locations north of Equator, the longest day of the year is around this date. This also means from this day onwards, daylight is getting shorter each day until the winter solstice. In France, we celebrate with music festival every year this day. There’s no better way to welcome summer than having a music festival on the longest daylight of the year. We love it!
Longer daylight also means more sun exposure, sunblock is necessary on each outing under broad daylight. And at the end of the day, your delicate facial tissues need to be deep-cleaned and moisturised. That sun-kissed face needed to be soothed by a gentle moisturising cream. Well, this entry is all about creating a soothing facial cream. One that you will definitely need after each outing or sunbathing.
Ingredients
When I was creating this formulation, I have in my mind that I need an active ingredient that has powerful skin protection properties. The first ingredient that popped up in my mind was Aloe Vera. Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties. Today in our soothing facial cream creation we are going to include aloe-infused oil by emulsifying it with aloe vera gel and water, top with geranium essential oil and copaiba essential oil, it just smells downright divine.
The emulsifier that I’ve used for this facial cream formulation is olivem 1000. Olivem 1000 is a PEG-free non-ionic oil-in-water emulsifier developed from natural olive chemistry. It is an emulsifier and thickener which is compatible with a wide variety of cosmetic and active ingredients over a wide pH range. It helps to bind the oily phase ingredients with water phase ingredients together perfectly. [ US / Europe ]
Active ingredients
Because it is summer, to compensate for the epidermis water loss due to the heat, there’s nothing more important than constant hydration to our skin. I have included a few lovely active ingredients to give that hydration boost to our skin.
Urea
When urea is applied to the skin, it is able to penetrate into the stratum corneum to further enhance water absorption. Hence, urea improves the ability of the skin to retain water, while simultaneously balancing adequate hydration. Get it here [ US / Europe ]
Hyaluronic Acid
HA is naturally present in our joints and eyes because these structures must be constantly moist and lubricated in order to function properly. It also plays a big part in skin health, keeping cells hydrated and plump.
āHyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide that can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water,ā
Dr. Aanand Geria, a dermatologist with Geria Dermatology in New Jersey.
It is therefore not hard to see that this hyaluronic acid plays an important role in keeping our skin hydrated and young. Get it here [ US / Europe ]
My other DIY project with hyaluronic acid: Tea Tree Moisturising Hand Sanitiser Gel
Provitamine B5
ProāVitamin B5 helps to keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help stimulate your skinās healing processes. [source] Get it here [ US / Europe ]
Essential Oils
Needless to say, the reason to include copaiba essential oil in my formulation is very obvious, this botanic oil contains a high concentration of skin-loving element — beta-caryophyllene [source]. Geranium Oil’s astringency makes it beneficial for tightening skin that is affected by symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles. Apart from the anti-aging element that it contains, the floral scent of geranium oil is also very soothing and calming.
Soothing Aloe Facial Cream Formulation
| Phase | Ingredients | % W/W |
| A | Aloe Infused Oil [ US / Europe ] | 12.5% |
| A | Olivem 1000 [ US / Europe ] | 5% |
| B | Distilled water | 74.65% |
| B | aloe vera gel [ US / Europe ] | 2.5% |
| B | urea [ US / Europe ] | 2% |
| B | hyaluronic acid [ US / Europe ] | 0.1% |
| B | Provitamin B5 [ US / Europe ] | 2% |
| C | Geranium Essential Oil | 0.35% |
| C | Copaiba Essential Oil | 0.20% |
| C | Natural preservative | 0.7% |
DIY Tools & Packaging
- double-boiler [US / Europe]
- electronic balance precision 0.01g [US / Europe]
- mini inox whisk [ US / Europe ]
- mini silicon spatula [ US / Europe ]
- 50ml glass jar [ US / Europe ] or 50ml aluminum can [ US / Europe ]
Related Post : Essential DIY Equipment and Tools for DIY Beauty Crafters
Soothing Aloe Facial Cream
Course: Beauty Recipes80
g30
minutes1
hour10
minutesPhase A- Heating Oil Phase; Phase B- Heating Water Phase; Phase C-Cool down emulsified phase
Ingredients
Phase B/ 59.72g Distilled Water
Phase C/ 0.28g Geranium Essential Oil
Phase C/ 0.16g Copaiba Essential Oil
Phase C/ 0.56g Preservative – Geogard / Optiphen / Germaben II
Directions
- Weigh and transfer phase A ingredients into a double-boiler. Warm it over a barely simmering water bath. Whisk until the emulsifier is totally melted and mixed.
- In the meantime weigh and transfer phase B ingredients into another double-boiler. Warm it over a barely simmering water bath at the same time. Stir and mix during heating.
- When the two heating phases reach 65C ~75C, transfer the phase B mixture into phase A. Whisk and mix until the two-phase is totally incorporated. You know they are emulsified when a white creamy trace is reached during mixing.
- Transfer your mixing bowl to cool down over a cold water bath. Whisk and stir to cool down.
- Weigh and add in phase C ingredients. Continue to whisk and mix.
- Decant your cream to your container. And voila, it’s done.
Notes & Substitution
- For a more soothing and cooling effect, you could also replace the geranium essential oil with peppermint essential oil.
- The pH of the recipe is 5.5 ~6. You will not need to adjust the pH if you follow my instructions strictly.
- Olivem 1000 can be replaced by an emulsifier of your choice.
- As I mentioned in my Super Hydrating Aloe Hair Spray Post, not all aloe vera gel is created equally. Avoid buying the aloe vera gel in green colour from your supermarket or pharmacy. I only recommend aloe vera gel from Naissance and aroma zone.
- For extra hydration, half of the water can be replaced by aloe vera juice. I recommend this one from Naissance.
- To enhance the soothing and cooling effect, you could also leave the cream in the fridge for a more refreshing effect.
This soothing aloe facial cream penetrates fairly easily into our skin and absorbs very well deep into our inner layer epidermis, you know it because your skin is plumped and smooth right after the application. Compare to my lavender rose facial cream for spring, it is silkier and thinner as it contains more water. It is exactly what we needed as it is summer now! Because it contains urea and hyaluronic acid, I would prefer to use it before any facial serum.
Since this cream is made for face, it is also perfect for body application. You could also use it for any of your body part right after a sun-bath or any outdoor activity.
I love it so much and I hope you will too!
If you like what I am doing, please consider donating a cup of coffee!
Calleigh
Hi, I am Calleigh, MEng Chemical Engineering and a process engineer, and I'm here to show you how to DIY your skincare and household products with the correct formulation and using only natural ingredients. I believe that eating good food (Yes I have cooking recipes too!) and living in a chemical-free environment are the keys to having a healthy lifestyle. And that doesn't need to be expensive.
