Has it happened to you that when you apply commercial blushes on a daily basis, your skin dries out more or, even, that you get redness?
Well, with these bases for blush that we detail here that does not happen.
As you know, we follow the Ayurvedic maxim of not putting anything on our skin that we cannot ingest ourselves. And, if you notice, this base for blush, with the exception of mineral pigments, is totally edible.
In addition, if you vary the pigments slightly, you can turn it into a powdered makeup background base. In this case, we would reduce the pink ochre pigment and increase the proportion of the brown oxide pigment. Of course, as a whole, it would have to be a mixture with less amount of pigment so that it did not remain dark like blush. Maybe two teaspoons SMIGDEN of brown oxide and just one of pink ochre? You must always check the mixture on the torso of your arm to adapt the proportions.
NATURAL BLUSH TODAY
Blush, like most makeup products, has its origin in ancient Egypt, where even then they used a paste based on fruits and red ochre to give a touch of colour to their lips and cheeks. Also today, in a very simple way, it is possible to apply the juice of a red beet, for example, to give colour to lips and cheeks. Maybe the effect will not last us all day, but surely it will not cause us any type of contraindications.
The composition of a blush a little more sophisticated, such as the ones we can find in shops, varies slightly depending on the format of the blush, but they have some common elements:
Dyes: Those that give colour to the blush, several are used to achieve the desired shade. E.g., red 6, yellow 5 lake, carmine… As we have already mentioned other times, these colorants are synthetic and, in many cases, harmful to the skin. In natural cosmetics, we use natural mineral oxides.
Base powders: They cover the skin disguising our natural colour and enhancing that of the blush. They also give it shine and that silky texture so characteristic of the product. E.g., talc, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, rice powders, and even kaolin which also acts as an opacity agent in addition to as a moisture absorber.
Binders: The components that get the pigments to be fixed in the skin and improve the adhesion of the product. In natural cosmetics we usually use corn starches, arrow root powder, etc. They can be emollient and also help condition the skin, e.g., castor oil, wax, cetearyl alcohol, and, in commercial cosmetics, also octyl dodecyl lactate or metal stearates such as zinc stearate.
Commercial blushes also usually have added synthetic perfumes that we are going to omit because of the toxicity they imply.
And, of course, they also carry preservatives (parabens) that in a formulation of natural cosmetics without water and just fatty emollients, we will not need.
THE CHEMICALS THAT OUR MAKEUP CONTAIN
We have consulted the labelling of the fluid blush of a trademark that we prefer to ignore so as not to disturb anyone and it is terrifying the amount of foreign chemicals that a simple blush contains.
INCI: G2015747 AQUA / WATER / EAU BUTYLENE GLYCOL ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE DIMETHICONE PEG-240/HDI COPOLYMER BIS-DECYLTETRADECETH-20 ETHER TREHALOSE TRIETHYLHEXANOIN CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES PEG-10 DIMETHICONE SILICA PHENOXYETHANOL SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE GLYCERIN SODIUM POLYACRYLATE TOCOPHERYL ACETATE.
And, as we know, most of the ingredients used in cosmetic products are derived from petroleum, or are produced by synthetic chemistry. In the “previous studies” that are carried out to see the safety of the ingredients for human use, in many cases undesirable effects are observed in high doses, so studies are done in different percentages, until the dose that is “safe” for use in humans is reached.
But what the chemical and cosmetic industry does not usually take into account is the bioaccumulative effect of many of these chemicals in the body since a person does not use a single cosmetic a day, but, on average, uses 10 cosmetic products a day.
Thus, for example, and although according to these “previous studies”, it is safe to use a product with parabens at 0.4% (maximum authorized dose), it turns out that parabens are preservatives that are carried by practically all cosmetic products. Therefore, if we use a shower gel, a shampoo, a softener, a deodorant, a toothpaste and a facial cream, which each of them carries parabens, we are therefore quintupling the daily dose of parabens.
NATURAL BLUSH WITH VEGETABLE PIGMENTS
There are people who prefer to use vegetable pigments to make simple make-up bases such as a blush.
Personally, although these totally vegetable bases are sure to be very natural and certainly provide many properties to the skin of the face, we have preferred to use mineral pigments because we have seen that adding a very small amount has a great penetration capacity and the powders are very fine. and soft.
If you prefer to experiment with vegetable pigments. Here we indicate a possible recipe.
This vegetable blush uses arrowroot powder as a base. And as pigments it uses a custom combination of ground cocoa and red beet powders.
Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot is a starch that is a common gluten-free alternative to cornstarch. It is also less likely to be GMO than most cornmeal. Arrowroot is used as the base of this blush and also to lighten the mixture if necessary.
Beet Root Powder: Beet root powder is exactly what it sounds like; dried beets. Beets have amazing colour and therefore beet root powder is perfect for giving this homemade natural blush that rosy colour.
Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder is used when you want your blush to have more brown tones. It is also beneficial for the skin, as it contains antioxidants that help heal it.
It is possible to use other shades and try other ingredients such as ginger (yellow / gold tones), cinnamon (golden brown tones), red clay, alkaneta root (magenta tones), turmeric (orange tones).
INGREDIENTS
Light pink blush:
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
1 teaspoon beet root powder
Pink blush:
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
2 teaspoons beet root powder
Mauve blush:
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
2 teaspoons beet root powder
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
Procedure: Simply, mix all the ingredients in a small jar and stir well until everything is completely integrated. Modify the mix of pigments as needed.
THE COMPONENTS OF OUR RECIPE FOR FACIAL BLUSH WITH MINERAL PIGMENTS
We have used only powders that are harmless to our skin or, what is even better, with an extra contribution of cosmetic properties such as kaolin clay or pearl powder.
As dyes, we have used natural mineral oxide pigments, such as pink ochre oxide or brown oxide from which you can get from any supplier of natural cosmetic raw materials.
https://www.cremas-caseras.es/36-pigmentos-minerales-y-micas
Why have we used kaolin clay?
As we said, we have used ultrafine white clay as the main component of our base. White clay or kaolin, as it is known, when it is of food grade, has multiple therapeutic properties.
Among them, remove impurities and avoid the appearance of a rough touch or matte appearance that does not reflect the light of the face. In fact, its continued use manages to give the skin a more youthful, soft and smooth appearance. These are some of the benefits that white clay brings to the skin:
-Softens the skin of the face, refining its texture and facilitating the elimination of impurities.
-Recharges the skin with minerals, especially since it is rich in silica.
-Provides luminosity in case of dull skin.
-In oily skin and with pimples, it favours the elimination of the same due to its astringent and deeply cleansing action.
So, we used a base with half white clay and half arrowroot starch. And to this base we have added the mineral pigments and a teaspoon of pearl powder to enrich it.
BLUSH FORMULATION in a 40 g container and with an ultrafine clay base
Ingredients:
Italy Pink Ochre Oxide Mineral Colorant 3 or 4 Large TAD Scoops
Ultrafine kaolin powder 15 grs
Arrowroot powder (starch) 15 grs
Freshwater pearl powder cosmetic active 1g or 4 scoops DASH
ELABORATION:
In a ceramic mortar, we will transfer all the powders (pink ochre + arrowroot powder + white clay + pearl powder) and then we will carefully crush them with the pestle for a few minutes to obtain a homogeneous colour mixture. Adjust the amount of pigment according to your skin tone.
Tip: The longer you mix, the more colour will develop. Think that these pigments are minerals and are fixed to the skin much better than the commercial blushes that you may know, so do not be fooled by the light colour of the mixture of powders because once you apply them with the brush of hair on the cheekbones you will see that the colour rises a lot in intensity.
Now you can transfer the preparation to the container.
Why pearl powder?
Pearl powder is a magical ingredient for the skin. Not without reasons, pearl is known in gem therapy as a mental stabilizer that generates beautiful skin and eliminates toxins.
The healing power of pearls has been popular for centuries, and in past times it was used to heal dementia and depression among other problems related to our mind and our mood. In India he received multiple attributes, as a perfect ally against phthisis, haemorrhages and ophthalmological problems; in the East, it was assigned an aphrodisiac power and was said to promote fertility; in Hindu medicine, pearl powder is used precisely to revive sexual energy.
Powdered powders are used as a Shen tonic in Chinese medicine to stabilize emotions, resolve fears, relieve frustration and anger, lighten eyes and help regenerate tissue. They can relieve discomfort, nervousness, anxiety, and tension. They promote healthy sleep, prevent nervous disorders and are commonly used to prevent or overcome fatigue. They are also used as an important beauty tonic because oral consumption is believed to result in glowing and pure beautiful skin.
Pearls contain dozens of amino acids (eight of the amino acids are “essential”, in other words, they cannot be produced in the body, but are required for health), and dozens of minerals, including: calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, strontium, copper, selenium, silicon, titanium. It contains calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium phosphate, ferric oxide, silica. Several components of the pearl participate in the activities of DNA and RNA metabolism that promote and accelerate cell renewal preventing the formation of wrinkles.
Pearl powder has been used by women and men for more than 2000 years by traditional Chinese medicine to restore tonicity, smooth wrinkles, cleanse the skin of roughness, toxins and erase stains. It is currently a highly valued principle in the world of Asian cosmetics, although somewhat less known in the West. It confers luminosity and elasticity, eliminates skin spots of all kinds, dries pimples, treats acne and prevents redness.
The continued use of pearl powder improves immunity, accelerates the growth of new cells that make the skin softer and more elastic and favours the elimination of roughness and skin toxins with which hyperpigmentations are attenuated. It is, therefore, ideal for all skin types. Both for dry skin, as well as mixed, oily, sensitive … all skin types benefit from this exceptional product.
For all these reasons we have decided to include this powder in our blush base or makeup for daily use. Although it would also be very good as an ingredient of a natural homemade cream.
Why the arrow root starch?
Starches are generally added to powder mixtures for blush or makeup bases for their ability to amalgamate, soften and compact the mixture. They are binders that are also added to bath bomb powder mixtures for the same reasons.
It is therefore possible to use this wrinkle starch that provides softening and absorbent properties. In addition, it is possible to use it in place of clay to make body powders since the arrow root powder is itself light, soft and absorbent. It can also help dry out imperfections, rashes, or other sores or wounds. In short, it softens the skin and absorbs excess moisture.
However, it is also possible to use corn starch or rice starch powder…
Corn starch, for example, has a very powerful astringent effect so it can also be an excellent treatment to help improve other conditions caused by excess sebum in the skin such as acne, open pores, pimples and blackheads.
Its astringent power combined with its antiseptic properties thanks to the richness in vitamins and minerals, make corn flour a facial purifier. Corn-starch also boasts incredible antioxidant properties that prevent aging symptoms like wrinkles and fine lines and give the skin a younger look. It is also a home remedy against sunburn or insect bites. Corn-starch helps relieve some symptoms caused by this type of case such as irritation, itching, inflammation and redness of the affected area.
IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT WITH THE TALCUM POWDER OF ALWAYS
Talc is used to absorb sweat and moisture from the body and acts as a deodorant. It is also used to relieve baby diaper rash and reduce friction.
It is used in multiple cosmetics: such as lipsticks, mascaras, face powders, blushes, eye shadows, or powdered foundations. Talc is usually added to cosmetics to create a silky sensation and for the absorption of sebum, which is what allows cosmetic pigments to be fixed on the skin surface and thus offer a matte appearance in skin with an oily tendency.
The American FDA has stated that talcum powder remains safe for personal and cosmetic use. This product, which is harmless to health when properly used in the form of cosmetic powders or even powders to dry excess perspiration (or diaper moisture, for example) and prevent skin irritations, could pose health risks only if inhaled or accidentally ingested. In these cases, due to improper use, it could present problems.
Considering these reasons that rule out its possible skin toxicity, and given its inestimable use when fixing pigments for colours and powdered makeup on the skin, we think it is also a reasonable idea to use it on a base for blush.
HOW THE BASE WOULD LOOK
Ingredients for a powder of about 40 grams of capacity:
Italy Pink Ochre Oxide Mineral Colorant 3 or 4 Large TAD Scoops
Talc powder 15 grs
Arrowroot powder (starch) 15 grs
Freshwater pearl powder cosmetic active 1g or 4 scoops DASH
PROCEDURE:
In a mortar, transfer all the powders (pink ochre + arrow root powder + cosmetic talc + pearl powder) and then carefully crush them with the hand of the mortar for a few minutes to obtain a homogeneous colour mixture.
Tip: the longer you mix, the more colour it will develop. Think that these pigments are minerals and are fixed to the skin much better than the commercial blushes that you may know, so do not be fooled by the light colour of the mixture of powders because once you apply them with the brush of hair on the cheekbones you will see that the colour rises a lot in intensity.
Now you can transfer the preparation to the container.
