Galen is credited with a simple, cold cream recipe, using plant oil, flower water, and Beeswax to treat dry, cracked skin. This simple but effective recipe survived in various forms over the next 2000 years and is the basis for what we now call cold cream.
Galen was a Greek physician and philosopher, born 129-c, in Pergamon, a prosperous and powerful ancient Greek city. Galen studied and traveled extensively, becoming legendary in his day, a prolific writer, and the physician to several Roman Emperors.
Galen’s medical teachings and theories would dominate and influence Western medical science for the next 1,300 years.
During this time, cosmetics or beauty treatments would have come under the umbrella of medicinal ointments to protect, heal and soothe the skin.
What Is Cold Cream?
Cold cream is an emulsion of water and various fats. It has a cooling sensation on the skin from the evaporation of the water present in the formula-hence the name. Oil and water don’t mix, so Beeswax is used to combine/emulsify the ingredients into a cream.
The simple, natural original formula for Galen’s cold cream has just three main ingredients;
- Rosewater
- Olive Oil, or Almond Oil
- Beeswax.
Rose Otto essential oil, was a standard skincare essential oil in ancient Greece among the elite. You can add a variety of Essential oils with skincare benefits and beautiful fragrances to the Cold Cream to enhance the recipe. Rose Otto is however a particularly luxurious, and skin-beneficial essential oil.
Edens Garden Rose- Otto Essential Oil, 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade (Undiluted Natural/Homeopathic Aromatherapy Scented Essential Oil Singles) 5 ml
While subsequent modern formulations of cold cream started to use emulsifiers like Borax, you can create a cold cream that doesn’t rely on any potentially harmful ingredients by using Galen’s recipe.
Galen’s cold cream formula, which produces a rich, white, thick cream, would have many uses, from;
- Moisturizing and healing dry, damaged skin to
- Treat mild sunburns.
- Cleanse the facial skin
Galen was a physician to the Gladiators at one point in his career and would have needed creams and lotions to treat various skin abrasions and injuries.
Galen’s Original Cold Cream Recipe.
You can use this recipe or variations of it, as a hydrating cleanser. This type of formula works well for dry or mature skin, or if you want to use the double cleanse method.
Ingredients for Galen’s natural cold Cream.
- 1.5 oz of Organic Rosewater
- 1.5 oz Almond Oil or Olive Oil
- 2 tsp Beeswax
- 10 drops Rose Otto Essential oil
- Melt Almond or Olive Oil with Beeswax in a double boiler
- Heat Rosewater to the same temperature in separate pan
- Remove melted oil mixture from heat, begin to whisk with electric mixer
- Slowly incorporated the Rosewater, until mixture thickens into a cream
- Stir in the Rose Otto Essential Oil drops
Store the cream in a sterilized glass jar. Seal the pot when the mixture has cooled.
Shelf life 1-2 months. Remove the cream with a small spoon to reduce contaminants from your hands.
This recipe makes a gorgeous, simple, natural cold cream with a lovely soft scent of roses. The natural ingredients have excellent benefits to the skin, making it more youthful and vibrant with consistent use. It is easy to make, customizable, and makes a great gift idea.
The Skincare Benefits Of Almond Oil.
Almond Oil, used for centuries for its benefits to the skin and hair, is rich in skin-beneficial fatty acids. It contains 30% Linoleic acid–Omega 6, which assists in moisture retention in the skin.
Mineral-rich, and full of vitamins like A, D, E, and K, Almond Oil contains zinc, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It has anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory benefits, which help soothe, hydrate, and clear the complexion.
We use this; Sweet Almond Oil – Face Skin Hair Cold Pressed 16 oz Natural Pure Massage Extra Virgin Unrefined Premium Grade;
Do not use Almond Oil if you are allergic to nuts, substitute with Olive oil.
The Ancient Greeks were well known for their prolific Olive Oil used mainly for cooking. It was also a staple in Greek beauty rituals and ointments and balms for the skin. It makes a good substitute for almond oil. Buy the purest quality to get the most nutritional benefits.
Buy; Hellas Organics Organic Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 500 ml – 2 Pack – 500 ml – 2 Pack
The Skincare Benefits Of Rosewater
Roses are synonymous with beauty; they were grown throughout history for their fragrance and allure. Roses have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs and were a favorite of Cleopatra in her beauty rituals.
Roses were known for their skincare benefits throughout the ancient world, especially in Rosewater and Rose Essential Oil.
Rosewater comes from the steam distillation process of making Rose Essential Oil. It retains the same beneficial properties as the oil, just milder, more diluted form.
Rosewater is anti-oxidant rich and moisturizing. It offers soothing relief to dry, irritated skin and is rejuvenating and toning.
We use; Rose Water for Face & Hair, USDA Certified Organic Facial Toner. Alcohol-Free Makeup Setting Hydrating Spray Mist. 100% Natural Anti-Aging Petal Rosewater by Simplified Skin (4 oz) – 1 Pack
The Skincare Benefits Of Beeswax
Beeswax, the wax produced by the worker bees, is often used for its skincare benefits. Consisting of around 284 compounds, it retains many nutrients as Honey and is soothing, rejuvenating, and nourishing to dry aging or irritated skin.
With a melting point of 140 F, Beeswax helps to keep skincare products stable and solid and acts as a natural emulsifier to bind ingredients together.
Buy Beeswax, for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. It helps treat and heal acne blemish-prone skin. It locks in moisture and helps to protect and repair the skin.
If you have any allergies related to Honey, do not use Beeswax without consulting medical advice. You can substitute with;
Candelilla Wax – 100% Pure & Natural, Vegan, Cosmetic & Food Grade; 16oz
The Skincare benefits Of Rose Otto Essential Oil.
Rose Otto Essential Oil is one of the most expensive essential oils on the market. It is labor-intensive and involves harvesting the roses at just the right time to get the full potential of the oil, which is steam distilled, to produce a superior, therapeutic grade oil with many health and skincare beauty benefits.
Loved for centuries for its fragrance, Rose Otto Oil is potent and believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, relieve stress, balance hormones, and promote respiratory relief.
Rose Otto Oil has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties that are calming, balancing, and anti-aging to the skin. Always buy therapeutic-grade essential oils for the skin, it can be expensive but used sparingly Rose Otto Oil is a beautiful and beneficial oil to add to any skincare product or beauty regime.
Edens Garden Rose- Bulgarian Absolute Essential Oil, 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade (Undiluted Natural/Homeopathic Aromatherapy Scented Essential Oil Singles) 5 ml
What Can Cold Cream Be Used For?
The simplicity of cold cream’s nourishing natural ingredients has many uses. It has soothing, healing, rejuvenating properties to repair and restore skin, making it supple, firm, and glowing. Use cold cream for;
- Moisturizer
- Make-up Remover
- After sun treatment
- Shaving Cream
- Primer
- Lip treatment
- Body Lotion
- After shave
- Face Mask
Conclusion.
Modern cold creams often replace the simple, natural ingredients of the original formulations with mineral oils, alcohols, lanolin, and glycerin.
When buying cold creams, look for simple natural formulations with organic ingredients. We love this natural, organic Rosehip and Coconut Cold Cream from Holistic Apothecary.
We also love this clean cream cleanser; DAVI Cream Cleanser with Blue Light Protection – Hydrating Face Wash for Dry Skin – Anti-Aging Daily Face Cleanser for Women and Men – All Natural – Non-GMO – Paraben-Free – Cruelty-Free – 3 Fl Oz
Cold Cream, however, is just as easy to make yourself, allowing you to tailor the elements to suit your skin type.
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