Herbal Skincare Formulas are More Than Skin Deep
by Sue Letwin

I love what I do. There is endless alchemy in playing with various oils, butters, herbs, and scents. My newest endeavour is creating custom skincare. The oil and the herbs mentioned in the article are either from Nocturnus Art and Metaphysical in Saskatoon or from my wildcrafting.

Like many herbalists, I feel that the energies within a plant and the energies that people have associated with specific herbs can be accessed by the person using that herb. That means the herbs I use for skincare are intended to be more than skin deep. Their energies can impart positive effects to anyone using them as skincare.

Rose petals, Rosa centifolia, are for the emotions and the physical heart to help us cultivate an openness to vulnerability and expansion into love. This flower also soothes our nerves. In skincare, rose is mildly astringent and protects delicate tissue, balancing mucus membranes. It is also an inflammation modulator, antimicrobial properties, and is a nutritive herb. Lately, I have been using local rose petals. Rose information is from a HerbRally Rose monograph by Cassandra Elizabeth (herbrally.com/monographs/rose).

Plantain, Plantago major, grows in sidewalk cracks, disturbed land, and in most yards. Its energy is that of a helpful friend. It has amazing skin-regenerating properties and can soothe minor irritations. If you get a cut, bite, or sting when you are outside, plantain is often close at hand. It enjoys being underfoot where animals and humans walk. This plant has healed many of my cuts and scrapes within a day. I include some plantain glycerin in every lotion I make. I have gained information about plantain from my herbal course and from reading herbal articles. I wildcraft my plantain.

Camelina oil, Camelina sativa, is from the mustard family. Any plant in the mustard family has the potential to assist us in cultivating joy (bachremedies.com), especially when we have felt gloomy. Camelina is nutritious and contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. It can be used in salads and can also be heated to a high temperature of 475ºF for cooking. It has a flavour like asparagus. Research has reported that camelina can contain linoleic, linolenic, stearic, and oleic acid (sciencedirect.com), all fatty acids that have skin benefits, providing a skin barrier to protect the skin and moisturize layers of the skin. They also enhance sebum, our skin’s natural moisture, and can help skin regenerate, modulating inflammation. I’m finding that camelina-based lotion has a lasting emollient effect on skin, because the moisture stays on my skin after hand washing. Camelina oil can penetrate deeply into skin layers yet won’t clog pores. I am starting to incorporate camelina oil from Three Farmers (threefarmers.ca) into my lotions and balms.

I enjoy sharing my love of herbs and skincare with people. From an herbalist’s perspective, skin issues are often more than skin deep. Skin relates to the lungs, which relate to grief. I am happy to help people find herbs and skincare that may enable them to cultivate a life of embracing love and sensuality for themselves and others.

Sue Letwin is a retired teacher and cook. She is a fertility educator, herbalist, and student with Formula Botanica’s internationally accredited advanced skincare program (formulabotanica.com). Sue is interested in local, sustainable endeavours. Her business is about cultivating a sensual lifestyle using herbs and skincare. You may purchase Sue’s skincare directly from her via her email curious@indicapable.ca, through Instagram messaging @angelkissesbf, at Nocturnus Art and Metaphysical, or at The Little Market Box. Pamper packages with skincare, massage oil, personal lubricant, recipes, aphrodisiac tea, and a link to a sneak peak of herbalist Kimberly Gallagher’s book Aphrodisiac, will be available at Nocturnus Art and Metaphysical, 304 Isabella St. W. and The Little Market Box, 332–20th St. W., both in Saskatoon, while supplies last. To contact Sue, please see the display ad on page 10 of the 28.6 March/April issue of the WHOLifE Journal.