Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~ Confucius

When I feel love and appreciation for the people and circumstances in my life, I feel my heart's warmth reflected in my face. People notice and respond in kind, and the cycle of beauty, care, and gratitude perpetuates itself.

True beauty, which comes from radiant health and self love, is a gift we give not only ourselves, but the whole world! It is an uplifting inspiration that encourages every person you encounter to be their best self too.

I believe a self care routine to be an important expression of self love, an enjoyable way to honor our body temple, and a responsibility to our community - showing up and delivering every single day as the brightest beings we can be is a duty we can easily afford each other in support of the greatest good.

Because I value and appreciate beauty, I am blessed to be surrounded by it! I hope you notice more and more beauty in your daily existence, and promote its full and natural expression.

Yesterday I shared some simple, natural toners to add to a decadent skin care routine. Today, I want to share an easy formula for fantastic and fully customizable moisturizer to keep your skin clean, fresh, soft, and supple!

Here's how to make your own face moisturizer:

1. Start with a carrier oil.

I love coconut or almond oils as a base for my formulas. Coconut oil has anti-microbial as well as mild sunscreen effects. It is lightweight and great for warmer weather. Almond oil is rich in vitamin E, an important component of skin health. It is heavier than coconut oil, and I prefer it in the colder months. More great options for carrier oils are argan, jojoba, sesame (untoasted so you don't smell like a Chinese chicken salad!), avocado, and hemp seed oil. All of these oils work beautifully as moisturizers on their own and can be used "as is", but it's fun to add more rich ingredients to create something perfect for your unique skin as well! Use about 2/3 of an ounce of your chosen carrier oil in a dropper bottle.

2. Add a nourishing oil.

Again this is an optional step as you may find a carrier oil to be enough for you, but there are plenty of oils to deliver extra nutrients to your skin! I especially like sea buckthorn for vitamin C and super anti-oxidants, tamanu oil for scar reduction, and evening primrose oil to clear acne.
Add 1/3 of an ounce of nourishing oil to the mix.

3. Customize with essential oils.

Essential oils are fantastic, and the sky's the limit! Tea tree oil is an anti-microbial go-to that can fight acne. Lavender is especially soothing and relaxing. Geranium is fantastic for the skin. Chamomile and calendula are also super soothers. Rose has anti-aging properties. Lemongrass or just lemon is great for brightening as well as toning. Peppermint is cool-tingly and very refreshing. You can experiment to make your own blends! Lavender-tea tree is a classic option.
Add 3-6 drops of essential oil to your bottle, and shake it all up!

To use:

Wash face with a cleanser of choice, use a toner, then gently rub in 3-5 drops of your fully customized oil blend for a bright glow. LOVE!!! Your oil blend can keep for 6-12 months if you store it in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

I'm having a nice time sharing these recipes and sweet words with you 💛 Tomorrow I will offer some recipes for exfoliates to supplement a healthy skin care routine!

May your spirit shine!

💛 Sara!