If there is one thing that I like to take pride in with this blog….it is providing any and all homemade alternatives to expensive store-bought products. I know I have posted homemade alternatives for removing makeup/moisturizing before…but for some reason, the thought of trying an “old-fashioned” cold cream appealed to me, so I decided to post about this one I found tonight.
It can be used as a cleanser to remove makeup and dirt….and, when left on overnight, softens skin and relieves dryness. I love a two-fer! :-)
HOMEMADE COLD CREAM
1/4 teaspoon borax
1/4 cup distilled water
1/2 cup mineral oil, or another oil that is liquid at room temperature (Almond is nice)
1/2 ounce (by weight) grated beeswax (or just a little over two tablespoons)
Dissolve the borax in the water in a (one cup) glass measuring cup. Set aside.
Add together the oil and beeswax in a larger (2-cup) glass measuring cup.
Heat the oil/beeswax mix in a microwave until the beeswax is melted and the mixture is clear. (Start with 30 seconds at a time).
Heat the borax/water mix in a microwave for a minute – almost to boiling.
Slowly pour the borax/water mixture into the oil/beeswax mixture, using a stick blender to mix as you pour. Now beat well with the stick blender until the mix is glossy white and thicken.
Pour the (hot) cold cream into an 8-ounce jar with a lid.
Let it cool to room temperature.
Done!
Did you ever look up mineral oil? Super icky
I tried the sweet almond oil and it is absolutely lovely! How about substituting chamomile tea (done in distilled water)? I did a tablespoon of chamomile tea, and lemon verbena in the water. Any ideas? If that’s doable I guess maybe substituting rose water in place of the distilled would be my next wonder…..hmmm
Can I use coconut oil?
Coconut oil is not good for the face because it will clog your pores really bad, olive oil will also.
really? i use coconut oil on my face twice a day, every day. no clogged pores here. if i get a zit, it’s usually around my period. tea tree oil clears that up real quick….
yes-I wash my face with the oil cleaning method ( using evoo), no clogged pores!
I am a licensed aesthetician and have used coconut oil on my skin and the skin of my clients for years. It is the healthiest oil for the skin, in my opinion. Not only is it a wonderful moisturizer, it melts make-up off the skin quickly and easily. Olive oil is also very nice, but I prefer coconut – unrefined, organic. I us it as a cleanser and moisturizer – absolutely NO clogged pores, just healthy, soft skin. Mineral oil – yuck. Borax – unnecessary. All that mixing, also unnecessary. Go buy a jar of organic, unrefined coconut oil – better yet, buy two – one for the powder room and one for the kitchen; eat at least a tablespoon a day; use it for cleansing and moisturizing, your body will thank you. BTW – coconut oil is antibacterial and anti-fungal.
I use both coconut and olive as does my teenager and No clogged pores. Much better on our faces than the Cleansers we were both using before.
I cannot attest to fractionated or refined coconut oil, but virgin coconut oil is excellent for the skin?
What a wonderful idea Jillee
Mineral oil is a by product of making gasoline and also will clog your pores. My dermatologist said to avoid it completely.
I will be making this next weekend. I avoid mineral oil as well, but I want to try this with jojoba oil. If that doesn’t work out for some reason, attempt #2 will be with the almond oil. FUN!
Do you realize that Borax is officially classified as a poison? It is also linked to reproductive problems in lab studies. The EU requires warning labels on products that contain Borax. I realize this cream doesn’t contain much of it, but still not something I want to slather on my face on a regular basis.
THE BORAX CONTROVERSY AND MY PERSONAL OPINION ON IT.
http://wp.me/P2kxb6-FC
Give it to em straight Jillee :)
Borax is NOT Boric Acid. The reason most claims are made that Borax is a poison is because the studies they quote from erroneously state “Borax or Boric Acid.” They are two different things being used and talked about as if they are interchangeable.
What the heck is a stick blender? haha
it’s like a free standing milk shake blender. i bought one and i love it! it’s great for blending hot soups right in the pot or….making milk shakes! apparently it’s handy for making cold cream too :) http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-76BC-SmartStick-200-Watt-Immersion/dp/B000EGA6QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335194772&sr=8-1
Thanks for the response! I actually have one of those, made by Braun. It is awsome.
My mind just didn’t go there for a stick blender. haha I used it to crush cans of tomatoes to put in my spaghetti sauce because my youngest grandson wouldn’t eat tomatoes! sneaky grandma, because tomatoes had to go in my sauce.
For myself, I would just omit the Borax and use other oils instead of the Mineral. I think your Non petrolum jelly works great as a make-up remover for me and I use on my face already.
hmm… You think that is true about coconut oil being bad for your face? I have been using it on my feet, face, hands, elbows, etc. And I LOVE it! I have been telling everyone about it and even got my teenage daughters to use it. I definitely don’t want to cause blemishes for them…
http://southernlakeeriemom.wordpress.com/
It really seems to depend on two things – your skin type and the type of coconut oil you get. If your skin is oily it seems more prone to pores clogging, whereas if it’s drier it’s less so. Also, good quality virgin coconut oil is less likely to cause problems than a lower quality oil – same as olive oil.
Does anyone know what propose the borax serves in this recipe? Thanks!
The borax and beeswax are both used to emulsify the water into the oil and prevent separation.
Borax on your face? Yikes…
I can’t wait to try this!! I will be using my extra virgin coconut oil and can’t wait to feel it on my skin. I already use your “was your face with oil” and love it. I’m just prone to a really dry spot. Hopefully this will help!!! Thanks so much for all your research on our behalf!
Come see what we’re up to at…
http://www.MustardSeedsOK.blogspot.com
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I was afraid this would have Crisco or something in it like other cold cream recipes I have found in past. Was so delighted to find natural and simple ingredients!!! I am always looking for ways to use my bees wax in products that my bees provide for me!! Will pin this idea for sure!!
Since I make my own lye soap, I am going to have to make some of this, too! I am trying to stay away from petroleum products for my skin care.
Why use borax? It seems very controversial ingrediant.
You can find cosmetic grade borax (sodium borate) with no surfactants or detergents from Mountain Rose Herbs and other sites online.
The borax is necessary because it emulsifies the oil and water together. It will separate if you don’t use the borax.
I don’t have a comment .i would like to have more of this,becoz i’m an extradry person.my skin doesn’t want something that has a perfume,if possible can u send for me other homemade moisture &cleanser on my email . I can appreciate that
Ive been looking for this recipe forever! If only I’d gotten on pinterest sooner! LOL. You’re the best and have already saved me a fortune (and I haven’t even made anything yet!)
I love coconut oil……… I use this on my face to cleanse and rub on my feet after getting out of shower. I also use pure raw shea butter at night on my face.. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on these products and the are all natural……. So ladies put down that jar with mineral oil and all that other stuff that clogs the pores and pick up some conconut oil and raw shea butter… Your body will love it.
Depends on your skin…some oils clog some people and others don’t…try them out to see what works..
Besides honey, cold cream is my favourite thing to clean my face with (or use as a moisturizer). I even got my cousin and my friend hooked on it. When I was using cold cream every day (I’ve been using honey for the last few months) even my boyfriend noticed a difference in my skin. <3
And the borax is essential for this recipe. As mentioned above, it's an emulsifier and without it the oil and water would just separate.
I just made a jar of this. I was looking in my cabinets to see what else might be good on my skin. I made the recipe with sweet almond oil and coconut oil I steeped a super fruit green tea bag in the borax and water mixture and added a few drops of colloidal silver, crushed vitamin C tablets and some vitamin E.
It smells so good and feels divine on my skin! The tea turned it a pale pink color as well. Very girly!