We have to go back more than 1800 years to understand the origin of modern cold cream. At the time, Galen’s cerate (named after its inventor Claude Galien, an ancient Greek doctor) was already a must-have for dermatological care. Today, it is even included in the ANSM (National Medicines Safety Agency) register as an emollient and protective product. And that’s not surprising! In fact, we can’t do better to nourish and repair very dry and damaged skin. The body, face, hands and feet love this miracle cream which is suitable even for eczematous skin. Thus, it is the essential barrier that the epidermis requires to face the harsh cold that attacks it.
To make your own, we give you three recipes to find the one that suits you. Once you have chosen, get started with this super simple preparation!
What you need:
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1) To make Galen’s cerate inspired by the original recipe (ANSM formulation)
53.50 g almond oil (to soften)
33 g of rose flavored water (both solvent and flavoring)
13 g of white beeswax (to thicken)
0.5 g of Borax (to preserve)
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2) To make the cold cream reduced to a minimum of three ingredients
26 grams sweet almond vegetable oil (otherwise, organic apricot kernel or olive oil although it is oilier and takes longer to penetrate)
16.5 ml of organic rose hydrosol
7.5 g of beeswax
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3) To make the divine version very complete
30 ml (or 28 g) sweet almond oil
5 ml (5 g) coconut oil
5 g of beeswax
15 ml of organic rose hydrosol
5 drops of vitamin E
10 drops of benzoin tincture
Optional: 5 drops of essential oil(s) good for the skin: bourbon geranium, tea tree, rosewood, ho wood, true lavender, Atlas cedar, incense, rockrose, etc.
The steps:
1) Since the product contains an aqueous phase, it is more susceptible to bacterial growth. Therefore, for a quality mixture that keeps well, remember to wash your hands and sterilize your tools.
2) Once it’s done, you can melt the oil and beeswax in a bain-marie. At the same time, heat the rose hydrosol. Little advice: these two preparations will mix better after if you heat them to the same temperature (ideally 70°C).
3) Then off the heat, pour the hydrosol into the oily mixture little by little whisking well so that it sets.
4) Then let it cool a little and add the other ingredients.
5) Finally, transfer to the pot. And it’s ready!
How to use your homemade cold cream?
First of all, do not hesitate to use a spatula to take the product without slipping microbes into it. You can apply as much as you want and whenever you want. In short, just do according to the needs of your skin. Some even use it to shave! In addition, if you haven’t put essential oil in it, you can try it to gently remove makeup from your skin in the evening. In any case, remember to keep your product away from heat and light at room temperature. Furthermore, note that this product will keep for approximately three months. However, do not keep it if you notice a change in smell, texture or color. In fact, these are signs that the product has gone bad and is no longer good !
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