Making your own skin care products

Some of you asked where I got some of the ingredients I use. 

I use salicylic acid from The Personal Formulator.  I also buy Hyaluronic Acid, and  some oils from them.  I get ascorbic acid from the health food store, I like Solgar.  Be sure to not get the buffered kind.

I get Xantham gum from the health food store, it is used in gluten free baking, but is a great thickener.

I also make my own flower waters by distilling organic flowers.  I mostly use lavender and rose. I get them from Southern Nutrition here in Jacksonville, they have a huge selection of dried herbs and flowers.  I have recently planted lavender though, so will soon use fresh.  I add essential oils and use it as a perfume, and use them to nourish my skin.  Use as you would a toner.

To make flower waters;

Set a 2 quart saucepan on the stove.  Put a one cup Pyrex measuring cup in the pot. Carefully pour 3 cups of water outside the cup, leaving the cup empty.  Now place about a half a cup of flowers in the water.

Take you pot lid and turn it upside down on top of the pot.  Now turn on the heat, gently bring it to a simmer, then dump a tray of ice cubes into the pot lid.

The water will steam and stick to the lid and then drip into the cup.  Replace the ice as it melts, when you have about a half cup of liquid in the measuring cup, your done.  Cool and keep in refrigerator until use..

You have just made a stove top still!