This post is part of the Humblebee & Me Archives
I’ve learned a ton since launching Humblebee & Me in 2011, so some older posts no longer live up to my formulation standards. This is one of those posts.
Rather than delete these posts I’ve moved them to the Humblebee & Me Archives so you can see the steps of my making journey—and hopefully avoid some of my missteps!
Anti-Acne Body Spray
With summer right around the corner, we’re entering the season of sweat. And, with sweat I find a body acne can follow. Delightful, no? I shan’t horrify you with any details. Anyhow, this spray is designed to combat acne on the body (and the face), and it smells awesome to boot.
The base of this spray is a blend of herb infused vodka, aloe vera juice, witch hazel, and raw manuka honey. If you made my Indigo Acne Blaster you might even have the herb infused vodka on hand already—if not, it’s super simple to make.
To that base I’ve added a blend of healing, cleansing ingredients. Bee propolis helps heal, antioxidant rich sea buckthorn seed oil combats acne, and vitamin-rich borage oil helps skin re-generate.
For essential oils I’ve gone with a blend of antibacterial tea tree, healing yarrow, cleansing lavender, and infection-fighting eucalyptus.
Everything comes together to make a fragrant, refreshing, cleansing and healing body spray. It’s wonderfully refreshing on a hot day and makes a great post-shower spritz. Give it a try, I think you’ll like it.
Anti Acne Body Spray
2 tsp dried calendula petals
2 tsp dried white willow bark
60mL (¼ cup) cheap vodka10 drops bee propolis tincture
5 drops sea buckthorn seed oil
5 drops borage oil3 drops tea tree essential oil
6 drops yarrow essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil15mL (1 tbsp) aloe vera juice
15mL (1 tbsp) witch hazel
¼ tsp raw manuka honeyBroad spectrum preservative of choice (why?)
In a 125ml/4oz mason jar combine the dried herbs and cheap vodka. Seal and let infuse overnight or longer.
Measure 10mL (2 tsp) of the herb-steeped vodka into the bottom of a 50mL glass bottle that has a matching spray lid, and add the propolis, sea buckthorn seed oil, borage oil, and essential oils. Swirl to combine and let the mixture sit for at least 20 minutes to allow the oils to dissolve into the alcohol.
While the oils dissolve, whisk the honey into the aloe vera juice and witch hazel.
Once the oils have had a chance to dissolve, pour the honey mixture into the bottle. Cap with the spray lid and shake to combine.
To use, mist over parts of your body that are prone to acne.
What a fantastic idea, Marie! Do you think alcohol part if enough to preserve it? I tried to incorporate the propolis tincture in the toner before but ended up with complete separation if from water and floating pieces on top and even clogged sprayer ;( Does the alcohol dissolve it easily or you still need a good shake each time before applying it? Thank you!
Thanks, Veronika! This should stay fresh for a few weeks (longer if you keep it in the fridge), but no, alcohol is not a preservative in dilutions like this. Also, it sounds like you should add some more high-proof clear alcohol to your propolis tincture. It shouldn’t have bits in it 😛
Any substitute for the Borage Oil? It isn’t listed in your guide to carrier oils, otherwise I wouldn’t ask you. I know you get this email all the time. Appreciate it. Caryn
Since we’re using borage for acne fighting properties, you’ll want something rich in linoleic acid and gamma linoleic acid (more on that here). Evening Primrose Oil would be a good choice 🙂
Awesome, thank you.
🙂
There are so many types of yarrow oil. Which one do your recommend for this recipe? I have also found that it is an expensive EO, could I make an infused oil with the yarrow flowers?
This is the one I used 🙂 You certainly can try an oil infusion, though I obviously can’t really comment on how a final product made with it would compare to one made with the EO.
Maybe the answer to this is “maybe, but I haven’t tried so I’m not sure,” but I’m going to ask anyway – would regular local raw honey work in place of the manuka, or does the manuka offer key benefits for this spray? I’ve still got most of a quart of the regular stuff, so I’d rather not buy more if I don’t have to (especially since I’ve seen the price of the manuka). Thanks.
Manuka does have key benefits as it’s extra anti-bacterial, but it’s also crazy expensive (even worse as of late!), so regular local raw honey is a great alternative 🙂 Especially since manuka honey tastes pretty… medicine-like. The sort of thing your gran would force you to eat as a kid, lol. I’m not convinced I’d buy it again.
Hi Marie, how much broad spectrum preservative should I add, any specific one to use for my 14 y/0. He has aced on his face, back,chest.
What can I replace white willow bark and bee propolis, can I replace it with other oils.
Thanks Marie
May
Hey May! I’d recommend liquid germall plus at 0.5% 🙂 I have more details in my FAQ!
You can replace those ingredients with more water; oils will not blend with this water-based recipe 🙂
Happy making!