A Little Kitchen Alchemy: Skincare, Chickens & the Oils We Use

Yes, you read that right. Last night, I made salve for my chickens! 😂

Sometimes chickens lose some of their feathers, leaving little bare patches of skin. This can happen for several reasons, including molting, feather pecking from other chickens, or even parasites. So it's always a good idea to pay attention to what's going on with your flock.

A few of our girls had some little bald spots, so we started tending to those areas. They've improved quite a bit, but I wanted to make another small batch of salve to continue caring for their skin.

Tonight's batch was about as simple as it gets: calendula-infused olive oil and beeswax.

Have you ever tried putting salve on a chicken? Haha! Let me tell you, it's a two-person job! One person holds the chicken while the other attempts to apply the salve. It's quite the operation around here!

Since the double boiler was already out...

I decided to make something else while I was at it!

I'm also preparing some gift sets for my final event, so I made a batch of night cream using three of my favorite carrier oils: jojoba, castor, and rosehip seed oil.

It got me thinking that this would be a good opportunity to share a little about some of the ingredients we use in handmade skincare and why I choose certain oils for my preparations.

I actually have an entire file on my computer dedicated to carrier oils, herbs, and their properties. I've spent quite a bit of time researching different ingredients, and I really enjoy learning about what goes into the things I make.

So let's look at a few of tonight's ingredients!

A Little About the Oils

Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of my go-to oils when making salves.

It's rich in fatty acids and contains natural antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols. These help protect the oil from damage and are part of what makes olive oil an interesting ingredient in skincare.

It's also known for its moisturizing qualities and has been studied for its potential antibacterial and soothing properties.

I particularly like using olive oil as a base for herbal infusions, such as my calendula-infused oil.

Jojoba Oil

Here's something interesting about jojoba: although we commonly call it an oil, it's actually a liquid wax!

Its makeup is somewhat similar to the natural oils our skin produces. It's popular in skincare because it helps soften the skin and hold in moisture without feeling overly heavy.

It's also naturally rich in antioxidants, making it a lovely addition to facial skincare preparations.

My favorite jojoba oil  is Naturevibe Botanicals  

Quality oil for a decent price!!

Castor Oil

Castor oil is quite a bit thicker than many other carrier oils. It's often used in skincare because of its moisturizing and skin-softening qualities.

It contains a unique fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which has been studied for its potential soothing properties.

I like that it adds a little richness to skincare preparations, especially when blending it with lighter oils.

Sky Organics is available through Amazon, and I have also found it at various retail /hobby stores

Rosehip Seed Oil

This is one of my favorite oils to use in facial skincare!

Rosehip seed oil contains essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, along with naturally occurring antioxidants.

It's commonly used in skincare products intended to moisturize the skin, improve the appearance of skin texture, and support healthy-looking skin.

You'll also find it mentioned quite often in natural skincare discussions because of its vitamin A-related compounds.

It's one of those ingredients I enjoy incorporating into facial preparations because of its wonderful combination of skin-conditioning properties.

 While a bit more pricey, in my opinion; rosehip seed oil is an oil I will continue to use. A brand that has been a go to for me is  Pura D'or USDA  Organic 

Why I Enjoy Making My Own Skincare

For me, making skincare isn't just about putting a few oils together and calling it a cream or salve.

It's about understanding the ingredients, knowing why I'm choosing them, and learning how different oils, herbs, and other natural ingredients work together.

There is so much information available, and I'm always learning something new.

I don't claim to know everything, and I certainly don't think natural automatically means better or that every ingredient is right for every person. But I do believe in researching what we use and making informed choices.

I'm not an herbalist or skincare professional. I've taken a natural skincare course through The Herbal Academy, and I enjoy continuing to research and learn about the ingredients I use. I'm simply sharing some of what I've learned along the way.

And sometimes that research leads to a lovely little night cream for a gift set.

Other times, it leads to a chicken sitting there while two people attempt to apply salve!

A little bit of everything around here!

Until next time, keep learning, keep creating, and don't be afraid to get your hands a little messy. ❤️

Disclaimer : this post contains affiliate links to some oils I personally use. I may make make a small commission if purchased through these links. 

Further Reading & Research

Some of the resources I use when researching ingredients and their properties:

• The Herbal Academy

• Mountain Rose Herbs

• Healthline

• Medical News Today

I always encourage doing your own research, too. There's always something new to learn!