Oily skin, clogged pores? This is your new hero!

Do you suffer from excessively oily skin with congested pores? Then you need this in your life!

But before I get to that, I'd like to give you an inside scoop into my process behind this little skin saver. If you’ve been around these parts for a hot minute then you know how passionate I am about fresh, local, natural skin care. Here I’m sharing how I derive my juniper berry glycerite.

So first, what is glycerite and what is it good for? Glycerite is a tincture or elixir that preserves the essence of an herb. Many tinctures are created with a base of alcohol, however, a glycerite uses glycerin as a base. Glycerin is the solvent used to extract the goodness of the plant and is an awesome skincare ingredient as it is a humectant, which draws moisture to the skin. And when infused with the goodness of an herb it provides a wonderful synergy for the skin.

Harvesting

Juniper berries are best harvested when they are fully ripe. In our region, this is at the end of summer, around October or November. The harvest is my favorite part of the process because I get to spend time outdoors with the plant, inhale its aroma and touch its prickly needles. Every part of the juniper plant is extremely aromatic. It’s a sensory experience I get to share with nature.

After picking the berries I spread them on a tray in the sun to dry. In order to capture the juniper berry’s essence, I like to crush them immediately before extracting the glycerite and before they get too much exposure to the air. 

Juniper berries are detoxifying, clearing and stimulating. They are cleansing and natural skin toner. They brighten the complexion and improve skin tone. And glycerin helps bring moisture to the skin. I give you Juniper Berry Glycerite! 

Oily, congested complexion solved! 

Juniper Berries are the star ingredient in my skincare series designed for oily/acne prone skin.  Check out the collection here. 

Now go and rock your naturally gorgeous skin!