From the poll I took, I noticed that we, as a collective group, seem to represent every skin type, from sensitive to combination. So I thought that this week, I would devote each day to a recipes for different skin types.

Today, obviously, I'm choosing to focus on sensitive skin. Of course, these recipes are good for those of you with other skin types too. So don't overlook them!

Chamomile Flowers

Chamomile Cleansing Milk (For Dry and Sensitive Skin)

1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp chamomile flowers, fresh or dried

Heat all ingredients in top of a double boiler for about 30 minutes, do not allow milk to boil. Turn off heat and let sit for about 2 hours, strain. Pour into a bottle and refrigerate. Keeps for 2 weeks.

Oatmeal Yogurt Mask

1 cup natural yogurt (we like it just-out-of-the-fridge cold)
½ cup oatmeal (any type of basic oatmeal works here)

Mix the ingredients together.
Apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes.

Marigold

Gentle Marigold Cleanser

6 heads of marigold (calendula) flowers or 11/2 cups of dried marigold leaves
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
2 tablespoons beeswax granules or grated beeswax
3/8 cup sweet almond oil or extra virgin olive oil

Remove all the petals from the marigold heads, and place in a double boiler. Add the other ingredients and gently heat until everything has melted, stirring gently. Continue to heat for another 5 minutes, then pour through a sieve into another bowl. Stir until the mixture is a little cooler, but still runny. Transfer to a sterilized jar and seal when the mixture is fully cooled. Use within 6 months.

Triple Rose Facial Freshener

1/2 cup dried rose petals
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups rose water
2 drops rose essential oil

Put the rose petals in a bottle or jar, and pour the vinegar and rose water over. Add teh drops of rose essential oil. Seal and leave to steep for 3 weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain the liquid and pour into a sterilized bottle. You can either spritz this onto your face as a freshener or apply with a cotton ball after you've cleansed.

Cucumber and Chamomile Cleanser

2 tablespoon fresh cucumber juice (To make, puree a fresh cucumber in a blender or food processor and strain the green juice.)
2 tablespoon fresh chamomile flower heads or 1 tablespoon dried (A substitute: 100% chamomile flower tea bags)
1 cup distilled water
1 tablespoon glycerin
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

Make a strong infusion of the chamomile flowers and water, and let cool. When cool, strain off all solids. Mix together the cucumber juice, chamomile tea, glycerin, and aloe vera gel.

To use: Saturate a clean cotton pad with the cleanser and run over your skin.