Author: Svensson, B.
Language: English
Year of publication: 2001
Number of pages: 1
Type of publication: Article
Journal: Beekeeping & Development
Edition: 60
Pages in original publication: 3
Publication location: Text on this website

Show article content

Print article content

Hide article content

Print article content

MAKING COSMETICS

by Börje Svensson

 

It is important to work in a clean room, have a good knowledge of the ingredients and products, a good awareness of hygiene, and a careful approach.

 

Materials needed

a)         Clean beeswax.

b)         Food oil for example from coconut, peanut, sesame, or sunflower and/or paraffin oil.

c)         Herbal oils such as aloe vera, clove, lavender, peppermint, rose, rosemary or tea tree.  Alternatively the leaves, bark or flowers of plants used locally as herbal medicines can be extracted cooked in the food oil.

d)        Perfume (optional).

e)         A heat source (electricity, gas or kerosene).

f)          A saucepan for a water bath.

g)         A tea pot or kettle for pouring the product into bottles.

h)         Small glass or plastic bottles or cups.

 

Technique

Always use as low a temperature as possible and keep the kettle in a water bath.  Make sure all ingredients are ready before you begin.

 

1.         Start by melting the beeswax.

2.         Add the non-volatile food oil and/or paraffin oil.

3.         Finally add the herbal oils/extracts and perfume just before bottling.

4.         Bottle without dripping or spilling.

5.         Put on lids immediately.

6.         Label all products carefully.

7.         Save samples for reference testing.

8.         Market the products with confidence but without exaggeration!

 

Standard recipes

 

Skin ointment

150 g beeswax

0.5 litre food oil

0.3-1.0 ml herbal oil and/or local medicinal oils

 

Liniment

150 g beeswax

0.5 litre food oil

Drops of camphor, Japanese peppermint, aloe vera, menthol, eucalyptus, or cajaput oil (to 0.5 ml)

 

Lipstick

150 g beeswax

250 ml food oil

plus 0.3-1.0 ml herbal oil and/or medicinal oils

 

Shampoo

50 g soap

Water (boiled for 20 minutes before measuring out 0.5 litre)

plus one teaspoon beeswax, 2 tablespoons honey and 0.5 ml herbal oils or perfume