​Ideas for using clear cosmetic jars

Natural beauty products are growing in popularity as people seek to remove damaging chemicals and additives from their daily routines and to protect the environment. Too many harsh and synthetic chemicals have been linked to everything from eczema to pollution, so natural alternatives offer a safe, healthy and beneficial option. Even better, many of these natural beauty products are easy to make at home with a few base ingredients and they can save you a lot of money too, whilst giving you beautiful, healthy and naturally supported skin.

Perhaps you're interested in making your own natural beauty products or maybe you're ready to take your passion to the next level and make gifts for loved ones, or even a natural line of products to sell as a kitchen table business? If you've recently visited an artisan market, you'll know that demand for these products is high! At Wares of Knutsford, we stock a wide range of clear cosmetic jars, as well as coloured glass cosmetic jars in amber and blue, which are helpful if you're working with essential oils, as they block UV light.

If you're keen to try your hand at this interesting hobby - but are feeling a little daunted - then try some of these simple recipes for inspiration:

Natural lip salve

If you apply a chemically-loaded lip balm to your lips each day, you'll be ingesting endless unwanted chemicals. So go natural instead and experiment with your own recipes. A good option is to combine one part of beeswax pastilles, one part cocoa butter (or mango butter or shea butter), two parts of sweet almond oil and a few drops of essential oil such as peppermint or vanilla. Do follow instructions very carefully when using essential oils as some must not be added directly to the skin without carrier oils and others, such as citrus oils, can become volatile in direct UV light.

Gently melt the oils and waxes together in a pan before adding a few drops of your chosen essential oils. Pour the blend into your glass cosmetic jars and allow them to cool. Your salve is now ready to use or gift!

Natural insect bite relief cream

It's the time of year when insects are out and many of us experience uncomfortable bites and stings. Try this relief cream which is gentle enough to be used on children. Use equal measures of beeswax, cocoa butter and coconut oil and add a few drops of basil, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus and chamomile. You can experiment with fragrance combinations that suit you but these are all beneficial oils for the skin and they will reduce that stinging, itching feeling that most of us have experienced at one time or another!

You could also use clear glass bottles to store soothing sprays made from witch hazel, apple cider vinegar and honey. This combination is remarkably soothing on the skin if it is applied cold from the fridge.

Home-made baby balm

Baby skin is very gentle and can often be affected by eczema. The good news is that you can make your own natural and gentle salve that will keep your little one's skin beautifully soft and protected, without chemicals or unwanted additives. For this balm, melt a quarter cup of coconut oil, the same amount of shea butter, a tablespoon of castor oil and two tablespoons of olive oil. Add up to fifteen drops each of rose, chamomile, myrrh and frankincense essential oils. Again, allow the mix to cool slightly before you pour it into your cosmetic jars and simply apply a little each time your baby has a bath, or to adult skin whenever you want a treat.

Natural face mask

Whizz up this treat and save yourself a fortune whilst treating your skin. Simply melt two tablespoons of beeswax and mix with 1/4 cup distilled water, 1/3 cup aloe vera gel, a teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of lanolin and three teaspoons of your preferred oil - such as extra virgin olive, coconut, shea or avocado oil. Blend the mix for about a minute until it is smooth and add a little essential oil such as lavender or jasmine. Store the cream in a sealed jar in a dry, cool place and apply liberally whenever your skin needs a pick-me-up!

Choosing the right cosmetic jars

You can choose clear jars for most everyday balms, salves and tinctures, or blue glass containers if you are working with more unstable essential oils and want to maximise their lifespan. We have a wide range of jars and bottles available at Wares of Knutsford, with all kinds of sizes, glass colours and lid types available. In fact, many of our customers run their own small beauty businesses so we offer great discounts on bulk buys including free delivery with some orders. Check out our website to see the latest deals and offers and have fun discovering the wonderful world of natural beauty products for all the family.