After a big day out: an easy wind-down for the whole family
A full day at the beach or a long walk is great, until everyone gets home sunburnt, sandy, tired and grumpy. Here's a simple routine for the hour after you walk in the door, using a few natural ingredients you can keep in the cupboard.
Hot, dry skin: aloe vera gel
After a day in the sun and wind, a cool layer of aloe vera gel feels good on arms, legs and the backs of necks. Keep a tub in the fridge.
There are two kinds, and it matters which one you use on kids:
- Aloe vera gel is alcohol-free. This is the one for kids and for skin that's already a bit pink.
- Organic aloe vera gel is preserved with about 20% plant-based alcohol. That's fine for adults' faces and hair, but it can sting on hot or broken skin.
Aloe is about comfort, not treatment. Sunscreen and shade come first, and for real sunburn, blisters or a child who feels unwell, see a pharmacist or GP.
Tired legs and shoulders: a parents' massage oil
Carrying a toddler for 3 km does things to your shoulders. Mix a simple massage oil for the grown-ups:
- 2 tablespoons (about 30 ml) sesame oil for a richer feel, or sunflower oil for a lighter one
- 6 drops in total of essential oil, such as 3 drops ginger (warm and spicy) and 3 drops cedarwood (woody and calming)
That's about a 1% blend, which is gentle enough for adult skin. This one is for adults only: leave essential oils out of massage oils for young children.
Parents with long hair can make a pre-wash scalp oil the same way: 1 tablespoon castor oil and 1 tablespoon sunflower oil with 3 drops rosemary oil. Massage in, leave for 30 minutes and wash out. Rosemary is a strong oil, so keep it for the adults.
A calm house: an evening diffuser blend
If you have a diffuser, 2 drops of bergamot and 2 drops of cedarwood in the water makes the lounge room smell fresh while everyone showers. Run it for 30 minutes with a window open, not all night. Don't diffuse in a baby's room, and keep cats out of the room while it runs, because essential oils can affect them.
The sandy car: bicarb and lemongrass
Sand, wet towels and a forgotten banana make a car smell fast. Once the floor mats are shaken out, sprinkle bicarb soda over the carpet and seats, leave it for 20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
For the esky, the lunch boxes and the boot, wipe down with a spray of 500 ml warm water, 1 tablespoon bicarb and 5 drops lemongrass oil. Lemongrass smells fresh and citrusy, but it can irritate skin, so use it for cleaning, not for bodies.
For the kids: rose petal smell bags
While the grown-ups unpack, give the kids a job. Fill a small cloth bag or a sock with a handful of dried red rose petals, and add anything they picked up today: a gum leaf, a pine cone scale, a sprig of lavender from the garden. Tie it off and put it in their pillowcase or drawer. No oils needed, and it's a nice way to remember the day.
Where to get it
Everything here comes from N-essentials in Keysborough, with click and collect on weekdays. See their essential oils, carrier oils and body butters.
Plan the next one
Once everyone's recovered, plan the next outing with our day planner, or find beaches, trails and parks by area.