“Chique” DIY Eye Cream

As some of you know from my previous posts, like this one here, I am almost exclusively using natural beauty products. Everything from slathering Olive oil all over in the shower to using Grapeseed oil as body lotion and finally applying my Coconut & Almond oil as my daily facial moisturizer. So, what’s missing? I have been in search of the perfect emollient eye cream that reduces puffiness, helps eliminate under eye circles and, of course, firms the well earned fine lines. Wow, that is a lot to ask for, right? The miracle product just doesn’t exist aside from surgical measures, so I settled for a little “DIY”.

I figured I would use my trusty coconut oil and almond oil as a base and did a little research on line. Turns out one of my other favorites, coffee, is a great additive to natural cosmetics. The caffeine helps decrease puffiness around the delicate eye area and improve circulation. I found this recipe here and of course had to make it my own.

Infusing olive oil with the coffee was the easy step. I did have one DIY malfunction when I tried to concoct this marvelous product without the shea butter. Didn’t work, never hardened.  I didn’t give up. I went right back at it. Part deux turned out exactly as I had hoped. A tiny pot of smooth, aromatic, creamy, melt on my skin miracle cream.

I have only used it for the last few days, but I am convinced it is brightening my eye area. Maybe most of the hype is in my head, but that is half the battle, isn’t it? Now, if only the snow would melt, along with my wrinkles, that would be “Chique”.

Coffee Infused Eye Cream

3 tablespoons organic ground coffee

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons of almond oil

3 teaspoons of coconut oil

4 teaspoons of shea butter

3 teaspoons of cocoa butter

5 drops of vitamin E

5 drops of tangerine oil

The first step is to infuse your olive oil with ground organic coffee. Mix the coffee with olive oil in a pot. Simmer on low heat for approximately 30 minutes. I didn’t have a coffee filter or cheesecloth, so I strained the coffee oil through a mesh strainer a few times. Then over a double broiler melt the almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter to liquid form. Add in a 1/2 ounce of your coffee infused oil, vitamin E and essential oil of choice.  The original recipe called for Lavender, Chamomile and Rose hip oil which have amazing aromatherapy and therapeutic properties, but they are not my favorite scents. I chose tangerine oil, which is refreshing, maintains moisture balance and has excellent emollient properties. Pour into a recycled glass jar and let it sit to harden. I put mine in the refrigerator to quicken the process. Gently pat around eyes day and night! Enjoy.