A few weeks ago, we wrote about the thriving Bay Area garden of Justine Kahn, the owner of Botnia (a “science-based skin remedies” company) and Skin Remedy (a San Francisco day spa). Today, we’re sharing one of her DIY recipes for a soothing facial oil.
The botanicals used in this facial oil are calendula, according to Justine, “a brightening lymphatic supporter” and chamomile, “an anti-inflammatory healer.”
You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a few everyday materials that you likely already have in your kitchen.
To see Justine’s garden, go here. For the recipe, scroll down.
Photography by Nancy Neil, courtesy of Botnia.
Soothing Calendula & Chamomile Face Oil Recipe
Above: You can purchase a bottle of Organic Jojoba Oil from Desert Essence for $15.99.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce chamomile flowers
- 1 ounce calendula flowers
- 1 pint organic jojoba oil
Directions
1. Pick the flowers and dry them flat in a cool dark room for a week (a warm closet works well, too!). You want your flowers to ideally have less than 10 percent of their original moisture in them.
2. Mix the flowers and jojoba in a mason jar, then cover with a lid and wrap the jar in aluminum foil so the oil will be protected from the light.
3. Place your jar in a warm sunny place, letting the power of the sun do the work to extract your plants’ nurturance into the oil. Let the oil infuse for four weeks.
4. Secure cheesecloth over the opening of your mason jar, then simply tip the jar upside down to strain out the oil from the flowers. Discard and compost the flowers and put your beautiful new oil into a bottle you love!
5. Apply the oil daily after washing and toning the skin.
For more DIY recipes, see: