In the previous article, we crafted natural toothpaste in our journey into the world of do-it-yourself personal care products. Now, we focus on age-defying eye cream.
In this article, we explore the potential dangers of chemicals found in store-bought eye cream and the advantages of formulating your own and provide an all-natural recipe.
Unmasking the Perils of Conventional Eye Cream
Commercial eye creams contain preservatives, texture enhancers, and other chemicals that can have unwelcome side effects. Some of the potentially harmful chemicals are:Phenoxyethanol
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This is a common preservative found in eye creams. Although declared safe by European standards and present in many products that claim to be preserved naturally, a study published in Experimental Eye Research reported phenoxyethanol to be toxic to human cells of the meibomian gland (tiny oil glands that line the eyelids). Exposure to phenoxyethanol for 30 minutes resulted in significant reduction in cell activity, even at concentrations less than the dosage approved for human use. Following 24 hours of exposure to phenoxyethanol at the approved human dosage, cell atrophy and death occurred.
Parabens
As synthetic preservatives, parabens extend the shelf life of eye cream, but research has linked parabens to hormone disruption due to their ability to mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about their possible role in breast cancer development and impaired fertility.
Parabens were detected in 90 percent of breast tumors examined in a 2004 study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology. Additionally, a study published in Pharmacological Reports shed light on parabens’ capacity to alter the expression of estrogen-responsive genes in human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, maternal exposure to parabens has been associated with reduced gestational age, birth weight, and body length, as highlighted in a 2017 review article published in the Journal of Endocrinology.
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Propylene Glycol
Used as a texture enhancer or base, propylene glycol could cause skin irritation and sensitization in some people, according to a study in Contact Dermatitis.
Artificial Fragrances
The appealing scents in eye cream are often created using dozens of synthetic chemicals. Even though they can trigger allergic reactions and dermatitis, those chemicals don’t have to be disclosed on the product label. Some fragrances have shown endocrine-disrupting or neurotoxic effects, according to a 2021 review article in Current Treatment Options in Allergy. Fragrance ingredients such as benzophenone and styrene are listed as possible carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Toxicology Program.
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Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Some lotions contain preservatives that release formaldehyde, which is classified as a human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Formaldehyde-releasers, such as sodium hydroxymethylglycinate and imidazolidinyl urea, have been associated with dermatitis and allergies.
You can avoid these harmful chemicals and protect yourself from potential risks associated with long-term exposure by making your own eye cream.
Benefits of Making Your Own Eye Cream
Incorporating natural eye cream into your skincare routine yields an array of advantages in addition to chemical-free assurance, such as:Cost Savings
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Natural ingredients used in homemade eye cream are often more affordable when purchased in bulk, and you can reuse containers to reduce costs.
This article includes a recipe for age-defying eye cream using organic ingredients. Using today’s bulk pricing, it costs $1.32 per ounce, which is about 40 times cheaper than a comparable store-bought eye cream.
Personalized Ingredients and Tailored Formulations
Crafting your own eye cream allows you to select specific ingredients that cater to your unique skin care needs.
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Environmental Consciousness
By making your own eye cream, you can reduce waste by using reusable containers. Furthermore, natural ingredients are usually biodegradable, minimizing their effect on ecosystems.
DIY Eye Cream Recipe
Below is a recipe that harnesses the power of natural ingredients to promote skin health, including:Aloe Vera
Used daily by the Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra as part of their beauty routine, aloe keeps skin moist, according to a study published in the International Research Journal of Plant Science.
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Honey
Renowned for its ability to heal wounds and burns, honey boasts a rich history of therapeutic use dating back to at least 2000 B.C. Honey has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2017 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Honey can modulate the skin’s immune system and promote tissue repair, according to a 2016 study in the Central Asian Journal of Global Health. A component of honey, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, has demonstrated potent inhibitory effects against several types of cancer, including skin cancer, according to a 2019 study in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.
Jojoba Oil
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A widely known medicinal plant, jojoba has a long history of use for treating skin disorders, such as psoriasis and acne, and for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, according to a study published in 2021 in Polymers.
Shea Butter
Because of its rich content of fatty acids, including linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids, shea butter is naturally moisturizing. Shea butter has antioxidant properties and is a “significant source of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting compounds,” according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Oleo Science. Specifically, components of shea butter inhibited tumor promoters, and one compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, inhibited skin tumor promotion in vivo. According to a 2014 study published in Phytochemistry, some constituents of shea butter also demonstrate potent inhibitory activity against melanoma (skin cancer) cells.
Coconut Oil
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A 2019 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that in addition to moisturizing and soothing the skin, coconut oil protects the skin by enhancing skin barrier function through its ability to suppress inflammation.
Coconut oil contains natural antimicrobial properties that may help rebalance the skin microbiome. Whether applied topically or ingested, coconut oil is broken down to lauric acid and monolaurin, which have significant antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, as well as a number of fungi, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society.
Cacao Butter
Thanks to its abundant fatty acid content, cacao butter is praised for its skin-hydrating quality. Rich in phytochemicals, cacao butter may combat aging by protecting the skin from UV damage and promoting healing. A 2014 review article in Nutrients reported that flavanol-rich cocoa contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, “improves dermal blood flow, increases photoprotection and contributes to the maintenance of skin health.”
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Essential Oil*
These natural oils add desirable aroma while providing health benefits.
Rosemary essential oil, for example, contains antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that can extend the shelf-life of creams by staving off microbial growth. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and anti-cancer properties for the skin, according to a 2023 study in Antioxidants.
Rosehip seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, which contribute to good skin texture and hydration, according to a 2021 review article in the Journal of Plant Science. Because of its high amounts of vitamin C and retinoids, rosehip seed oil contributes to brighter skin and combats acne. Furthermore, vitamin C combined with fatty acids promotes collagen production, which diminishes signs of premature aging.
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Frankincense essential oil contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. It alleviates oily skin and provides lipids for aging skin, according to a 2021 review article in the Journal of Plant Science. Frankincense demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue remodeling in skin cells in a 2017 study in Biochimie Open.
Sandalwood seed oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat skin issues such as blemishes and blackheads. It can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to a 2021 review article in the Journal of Plant Science.
Apricot seed oil contains compounds with strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, according to a 2023 review article in Food Bioscience.
Used for centuries, tamanu oil can prevent skin infections and reduce the appearance of scars, and has been used to treat eczema, acne, psoriasis, burns, skin cracks, and dermatitis, according to a 2021 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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DIY Personal Care Products
Part 1
Crafting Your Own Natural Body Lotion: An Affordable Yet Luxurious Treat for Your Skin
Part 2
Crafting Your Own Natural Shampoo
Part 3
Crafting Your Own Premium Natural Toothpaste
Par 4
Crafting Your Own Age-Defying Eye Cream
Part 5
Crafting Your Own Natural Body Soap
Part 6
Crafting Your Own Face Cream
Part 7
Crafting Your Own Natural Deodorant
Part 8
Crafting Your Own Natural Lip Balm
Part 9
Crafting Your Own Whipped Body Butter
More from this series
A Word on Ingredient Quality
Choose organic ingredients whenever possible. Organic crops aren’t genetically modified and aren’t sprayed with most synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Also, when choosing oils, select products that are 100 percent pure, cold-pressed, and unrefined.
Essential oils are sometimes adulterated by adding a similar but cheaper oil or diluting the natural oil with various solvent oils in order to reduce costs. In 2023, ConsumersAdvocate.org tested 11 peppermint essential oil samples, and four were reportedly adulterated.
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Choose essential oils that don’t contain additives or synthetic chemicals and have been tested for heavy metals, microbes, and glyphosate.
Age-Defying Eye Cream
Ingredients:- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup cacao butter
- 1/3 cup jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
- 20 drops rosehip seed oil
- 20 drops sandalwood seed oil
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (or the skinless gel of a 3/4-inch piece of fresh aloe)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 15–30 drops of your favorite essential oil* (I enjoy 1 drop rosemary, 5 drops vanilla, and 10 drops frankincense essential oil)
- In a glass bowl, combine shea butter, coconut oil, cacao butter, jojoba oil, and beeswax.
- Melt the mixture over medium-low heat using a double boiler, stirring until well combined. If you don’t have a double boiler, use the glass bowl and a large pot as a substitute. The glass bowl should fit comfortably over the top of the pot, almost like a lid, but with enough space between the bottom of the glass bowl and the pot to ensure steam can flow between them. Place water in the bottom of the pot, place the glass bowl containing the ingredients on top of the pot, and simmer until the water steams.
- Once all ingredients are melted and thoroughly combined, remove from heat.
- Allow to cool to the touch, mixing occasionally with a hand blender.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly with a hand blender.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator until the lotion begins to harden but is still somewhat soft.
- Remove from the refrigerator and whip with a hand blender until the eye cream achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Transfer the eye cream to a clean, airtight, glass container.
- To apply, place a small amount on your finger and gently massage into the skin around the eyes. Do not get cream in your eye.
Contraindications and Precautions
*Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under the age of 2, and anyone consuming prescription medications should consult their health care provider before using essential oils. Essential oils can irritate the skin. People with high blood pressure or epilepsy should avoid rosemary essential oil. Frankincense has blood-thinning effects, so do not use it if you’re on anticoagulant medication or have a problem with blood clotting.Before using the recipes in this article, consult with your health care provider to ensure the ingredients are aligned with your specific health needs. Always check for sensitivities or adverse reactions by applying a small amount of product. Do not use these recipes if you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Embracing a DIY natural eye cream empowers you to take charge of your well-being while saving money. As you venture into crafting your own personal care products, remember to choose ingredients that best suit your unique needs and preferences.Craft a premium body soap without the harsh chemicals.
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