Galen's Cold Cream and Honey Cold Cream Recipes by SpaIndex.com

cold cream

Cold cream is generally credited as having been first developed by Galen, a 2nd century Greek physician, in his service as an attendant in a local temple to Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing. One of Galen's primary roles was to tend to the Gladiators following "games." Naturally, due to the frequency and severity of their wounds, he developed a great many healing treatments, an ointment of fat and water among them.

Galen's cold cream contained olive oil (for softening), water, beeswax (the base of the cream), and rose petals (for aromatherapy). It was called called "cold cream" because after it was applied to the skin, its water content evaporated, which left a cool feeling on the skin.

Commercially manufactured cold creams have long since replaced the olive oil with mineral or other oils, which will not spoil as rapidly.

Some recipes for cold cream will contain borax (commonly used for laundry whites); others will not. Borax is a natural ingredient, and acts as both an antiseptic and a preservative. A reaction occurs when added to recipes containing beeswax -- it turns the concoction a creamy white color.

BASIC COLD CREAM

1 ounce grated beeswax or beeswax** pellets
6 tablespoons light mineral oil
4 tablespoons distilled water
1 teaspoon borax
2-3 drops of your preferred essential oil

In a double boiler or clean class dish in a microwave, combine beeswax and mineral oil. Gently heat and stir until melted and well blended. While melting, dissolve your borax in the distilled water and heat it gently -- do not boil. Remove both pans or dishes from the heat source, and, stirring constantly, slowly drizzle the distilled water and borax solution into your wax and oil solution. When fully combined, begin to beat vigorously until it has cooled. Add your essential oil and continue to beat until your cream is light and airy, with a brilliant white sheen. Store in clean glass jars, preferably in the refrigerator. The borax is a simple preservative, but your cream will keep best in the refrigerator, for approximately 3-6 weeks. Plus, the cool effect from being chilled is very pleasant.

HONEY COLD CREAM

40g (approximately 1.5 ounces) fresh, good quality cold pressed safflower oil
40g (approximately 1.5 ounces) distilled water
10g (approximately 1/3 ounce) beeswax pellets or grated beeswax**
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon borax, if a white cream is desired, otherwise, optional

**Be aware that some people are allergic to beeswax. Exercise caution.

1 heat resistant microwave safe bowl with lid
1 hand whisk or wooden spoon
1 teaspoon or dropper
Kitchen scales
Heat resistant pot (small) to contain the cream
Ice cube trays
Freezer Storage Container

Combine safflower oil and beeswax pellets or shavings into a clean, dry bowl. Microwave on low, gently, until the beeswax has melted. Slowly drizzle the teaspoon of honey into the oil mixture, beating thoroughly. A dedicated blender or food processor works fine (dedicated meaning you keep a spare one for craft projects, and you do not use it for food preparation for a risk of cross-contamination). Using a teaspoon or dropper, slowly drop minute amounts of distilled water into the oil/wax/honey, whisking quickly the entire time. Once you have incorporated all of the distilled water into the mixture, allow your cream to "settle" for at least five minutes. Water which has not incorporated will settle to the bottom, and the cream layer will rise to the top. Drain off and discard this lower layer of water. Gently spoon one teaspoon of "cold cream" into each well of a clean, dry ice cube tray. Freeze until solid. (Optional: Spread a large, loose piece of plastic wrap over the tray for easy removal of the cubes at one time). Remove frozen cubes from the tray and place them into an airtight freezer storage container, or ziplock bag.

Each evening, remove a frozen cream cube from your freezer, and place into your "daily pot." An empty, clean cosmetic pot works well. Thaw overnight, in your refrigerator, and use the cool, chilled cream within 24-48 hours. Repeat the process each evening, or as often as you feel like a smoothing lift.

This remedy is particularly nice on hot summer evenings when your face needs both a moisture boost, and a cooling treatment.

We recommend you keep your cold cream frozen and refrigerated at all times -- the borax is a mild, but not aggressive preservative, and chilling will preserve the shelf life.

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