Easy Moisturizing Spray
In this project, we will be making a simple, inexpensive skin moisturizing spray. This project is as easy as it gets, and the end product is a nifty bottle of spray that is nice to keep handy.
What You Will Need
- Small spray bottle
- Glycerine
- Distlled water
- Essential Oils
In case you couldn’t figure it out, the component that will do the moisturizing is the Glycerine. Chemically speaking, Glycerine is a type of alcohol. In appearance, it is clear, thick, viscous substance. Glycerine is known as a humectant which means that it helps the skin to retain moisture. In order to use it for this purpose, it needs to be diluted.
Dilution Ratio
The basic, core ingredients in a product like this are Glycerine and Water. If you wanted to make the simplest spray with only these 2 ingredients, start by trying 1 part Glycerine to 4 parts of water.
However, you should consider going a step further. There are many ways you can play with this and customize it to meet your needs or taste. If your skin is extra dry, you can make it more moisturizing by increasing the Glycerine or adding other ingredients. You will probably also want to add some essential oil or fragrance oil to make it smell great.
Other Moisturizing Ingredients
To add more complexity to the mix and make the moisturizing profile more complete, consider adding one or more of these items:
- one of the following vegetable oils: Grapeseed, Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel, Avocado
- Vitamin E oil
- Aloe Vera
Adding a Scent
In my opinion, this project really isn’t worth doing unless you add a scent (preferably an essential oil). Scent speaks to the pleasure/reward center in the brain. When you use a body spray, the pleasing smell is the motivation or reward for using the spray. If there is no pleasing smell, you probably won’t use the spray for long because it does not reward you. It is analogous to the flavor added in toothpaste. If toothpaste had no flavor, do you think anyone would use it? They would not. So, treat yourself to a little sensory pleasure and add a scent to your moisturizing spray.
Choosing a Scent
There are 2 types of scent products to choose from: essential oils and synthetic fragrance oils. In some types of products, fragrance oils may provide a cheaper and more reliable, powerful smell. But in this product, there is nothing to block the effect of an essential oil, so I would prefer to use an essential oil for this spray. The smell of essential oils are simply more deep, subtle and refined. The smell of fragrance oils are clear, but you can tell they are manufactured.
There are several dozen essential oils available. Some of the more popular essential oils include: Lavender, Bergamot, Geranium, Clary Sage, Lemongrass, Cedar, Eucalyptus, Patchouli, and Ylang Ylang, Pink Grapefruit and Litsea Cubeba. (These essential oils can be purchased cheaply in small quantities here.) Most of these can stand on their own as a single scent or be blended with others. Follow your nose and do what appeals to you.
Recipes
#1
1/4 cup distilled water
1 tsp Glycerine
1 tsp Sweet Almond oil or Avocado oil
5-10 drops of essential oil
#2
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon Glycerine
1 tablespoon Aloe Vera
1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
8-10 drops essential oil
#3
80 grams of distilled water
20 grams Glycerine
15 grams Apricot Kernel oil
15 grams Aloe Vera
5 drops essential oil
In all these recipes, mix the ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a whisk. Pour carefully into spray bottle for use.
Product Care
When not in use, keep your spray bottle in the refrigerator. Not only will this make your spray more enjoyable (when you spray it on cold), but it will also help to preserve the ingredients. The shelf life for this is perhaps a few months. Make in small batches and use as needed.