Especially affected in such crunchy climes are face and hands; but hands tend to take the worst of it. If you’re washing them as frequently as you really should, it seems that constant re-application of hand cream isn’t even enough. Cuticles in particular take a beating; ripped and torn they are not only sore but open to any infection lurking on that public transportation or supermarket aisle.
Fortunately for your fingers, making effective cuticle oil at home is easy and quick and much less expensive than buying the kind with petroleum and preservatives in them. As an added bonus, this one includes the antiseptic properties of rosemary and tea tree oils to keep infections at bay. Here’s what you’ll need:
1 tbsp jojoba oil
1 tbsp almond oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
Pour the jojoba and almond oils into a small glass bottle, preferably of a dark color such as blue or brown. This will help preserve the oils without having to hide the bottle in a cupboard.
Add the essential oils, cap tightly and shake gently to combine.
To use, message a few drops into your cuticles and nails before bedtime. Be sure to give the bottle a gentle shake before each use. This oil also does wonders for chapped or splitting heels.
If you wish to make a truly elegant cuticle oil as a gift – or as a special treat for yourself – substitute the expensive but worth it essential oil known as rose otto or rose absolute for the lavender oil in this recipe. In that case, one or two drops should be plenty. A votre santé ~
Header: LIFE photograph of Marlene Dietrich c 1954
2 comments:
This will really come in handy at this time of year, Pauline. I have just been using Neosporin, but his sounds a lot nicer...
Actually, there's a thought. If you had a badly infected cuticle (or two) you could add this to a dab (or two) of Neosporin. Good call!
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