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| Q10 night cream by Stella Crown |
It is a fact that after the age of 30, night creams are essential for our skin, in order to remain as youthful and relaxed as possible. Night is ideal for body care, as the skin and the muscle tissues are reconstructed during sleep; it doubles the rate of cell regeneration and maximises the collagen production.
This time, I made a rich and nutritious night cream, suitable for all skin types, especially for the sensitive skins and the herb- protagonist is the humble but popular chamomile, which since the ancient times has been a key therapeutic agent in traditional healing.
Special quest: Coenzyme Q10, which is widespread in nature, it can be found in both plant and animal sources, and in some form is even synthesized in our cells. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants and protects our cell membrane. It fights the free radicals associated with ultraviolet radiation, enhances the production of collagen and elastin, and I have to say that its effectiveness is indisputable. The product that I used in my recipe is of plant origin.
recipe for ~100 g/ 3.5 oz
cosmetic phase a:
5 g/ 0.18 oz chamomile oil
4 g/ 0.14 oz borage seed oil
4 g/ 0.14 oz jojoba oil
4 g/ 0.14 oz sea buckthorn oil
3 g/ 0.11 oz macadamia oil
2 g/ 0.07 oz murumuru butter
2 g/ 0.07 oz shea butter
5 g/ 0.18 oz emulsifying wax
5 g/ 0.18 oz beeswax
cosmetic phase b:
20 g/ 0.7 oz chamomile floral water
18 g/ 0.63 oz neroli floral water
10 g/ 0.36 oz aloe vera gel
5 g/ 0.18 oz vegetable glycerin
cosmetic phase c:
3 g/ 0.11 oz hyaluronic acid
3 g/ 0.11 oz sea elastin
2 g/ 0.07 oz oat protein
1 g/ 0.04 oz coenzyme Q10
2 g/ 0.07 oz vitamin E
1 g/ 0.04 oz vitamin A
1 g/ 0.04 oz natural preservative
cosmetic phase d:
8 drops tangerine essential oil
8 drops orange essential oil
6 drops patchouli essential oil
4 drops ylang ylang essential oil
4 drops chamomile essential oil
- We follow the cosmetic cream preparation procedure which you can find here.
- Chamomile was used by Hippocrates, Galen and Dioskourides "against all pains". It contains a number of active substances such as coumarin, flavonoids, essential oils, minerals etc. The most important active substance is the azulene (a blue volatile oil that is responsible for the color of the essential oil), which contains 2 essential ingredients: hamazulen and vizazolole, substances with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Ideal herb for the sensitive skin types.
- Borage seed oil is one of the largest plant sources of gamma linoleic acid (17- 28%). It also contains palmitate, stearic acid and oleic acid. It nourishes the skin, calms inflammations, stimulates prematurely aged skin and restores the skin elasticity. Because of the salicylic acid which is contained, it helps acne, psoriasis and eczema.
- The miraculous jojoba oil is composed of wax esters - it is a liquid plant wax that resembles the sebum of the human body and therefore penetrates the skin more easily than any other oil. It is absorbed directly and quickly without leaving greasiness and is an environmental barrier which protects the skin while is “cheating” the skin in order to produce less natural sebum. Ideal for treating acne. It reduces wrinkles and stimulates elasticity.
- Sea buckthorn oil contains more than 190 phytonutrients, it repairs skin tissues, it oxygenates and renews cells, combats premature aging as well as numerous skin problems such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and burns.
- Macadamia oil is rich in omega-7 fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E, minerals and proteins. Ideal oil for mature and damaged skin, it is also easily absorbed because this oil also resembles the fatty acids of the skin. It works against free radicals.
- Murumuru butter comes from the fruit of the Attalea orbignya tree, which is found in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, it contains high levels of vitamins A and C as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It is anti-aging, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, protects the skin by maintaining natural moisture, improves elasticity, acts against sunburn, eczema and other skin diseases.
- Shea butter contains large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (omega-6, omega-9) but also contains saturated stearic and palmitic acid, ingredients that stimulate the elasticity of the skin and maintain natural moisture. It is rich in phytosterols, catechins and vitamins, fights free radicals and helps in irritations, eczema and other skin conditions.
- Beeswax has softening and anti-inflammatory properties while stimulates skin elasticity. It forms a hydro-lipidic film on the skin, which holds moisture at normal levels in order to prevent dehydration.
- Neroli floral water is derived from Seville orange tree flowers through steam distillation, has a wonderful floral fragrance and cools the skin. It regenerates the skin cells and restores lost glossiness.
- Aloe vera gel itself is a whole pharmacy, it softens, soothes and moisturises the skin while the vegetable glycerin gives a silky and soft texture to the skin.
- The hyaluronic acid which I use, is a product of biotechnology and comes from wheat. It is one of the most ideal anti-aging ingredients, absorbs enormous amounts of water and hydrates the skin thoroughly while sea elastin helps the skin regain its firmness by preventing wrinkles.
- Oat protein has strong moisturising properties and leaves a silky texture on the skin.
- Vitamin E is the strongest antioxidant in cosmetics and protects the skin from the destruction which is caused by free radicals. Vitamin A fights premature aging, regenerates skin cells and repairs even the deepest wrinkles.
- Tangerine essential oil is anti-wrinkle and soothing, orange is antiseptic, patchouli regenerates cells and revitalizes, ylang ylang reduces wrinkles while chamomile essential oil is anti-inflammatory.
Stella Crown©
