Topical DMAE has often been called, "the facelift in a jar." Although it does not approach that level of effectiveness, it does reduce the appearance of wrinkles and say some can reverse facial sag.  Combine performance and hype and you get HIGH Prices. Well, maybe for those not in the know.  

Learn How to Make Your Own Customized DMAE Skin Care Product

Because DMAE is cheap, and is a stable product it is easy and affordable to make your own DMAE cream, which can also customized by concentration to fit your individual skin needs.

Advantages of Making your Own DMAE Anti-aging Product

• Huge Savings. Enough said here.
  

• Desired strength. Many skincare products often have too low a concentration of active ingredients to make any real difference. When preparing a cream yourself, you can put in as much of active ingredient(s) as you need to fit your specific requirements.

• Fresh. When you make your own products you can have the most active ingredients. When you purchase an off the shelf product you do not know what you are getting and whether the ingredients are still bioactive and capable of producing the desired effect. Chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, decay over time because they react with water, air or each other and as such the product will lose its benefits. Partially decayed ingredients can also sometimes be toxic and cause damage to your skin as well. (Not all products even state the expiration date). Furthermore, when you open a product, the decay will accelerate because of the exposure to air. On the other hand, when you prepare your skin care items yourself, you get a fresh batch every time. Also, you can make small batches so that the product is used up relatively quickly (in a few weeks not months) and doesn't have the time to decay.  

How to Make Your Own Product

When making a cream of your own, you just need to purchase an appropriate base cream (i.e. a very inexpensive cream that already has inactive ingredients mixed together, like any skin moisturizer) then add the active ingredients desired. In this case the DMAE.

You have many options for base creams, depending on your need. You can use a light moisturizer with sun screens for day use. A light moisturizer (lower proportion of oil to water) allows the skin to breath, but still draws moisture into the skin so that it does not become dehydrated. This moisturizer is perfect to use during the day and can be put on under makeup. Another option is the use of a heavier moisturizer (higher proportion of oil to water) as a skin base.

The heavier moisturizer is great for extremely dry skin because it will serve as a moisture barrier, locking in moisture. It is also a good choice for a night cream, however it should only be used for short periods, and then washed off. This is important because skin pores should not remain blocked for extended period of time because the skin needs to excrete toxic by products through these pores.

One option for a good base is using calendula cream. Calendula cream contains the herb Calendula officinalis. Calendula is an exceptionally versatile herb native to the Mediterranean which is known to contain high amounts of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants that protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. Calendula has also been shown to contain anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, and because of these properties it is often used for many conditions, such a eczema, diaper rash, bed sores, psoriasis, etc.

When mixed with oils like olive oil, the effects of calendula are enhanced and is often used as a body butter when combined with hydrating oils. Base creams containing calendula and other essential oils and other botanicals are readily available at health food stores and on-line. You can also make your own very simply and economically.

Natural Skin Creams and Oils

You can create a Calendula Cream to suit your needs in just a few easy steps.

(1) Pack a glass jar with dried calendula flowers and add 8 ounces of olive oil.
(2) Cover the glass jar with a tight lid and shake.
(3) Store the jar in a dark cupboard and shake well every day for appproximately two weeks.
(4) Strain the infused oil into a clean glass jar or bottle.
(5) Add a natural preservative such as Vitamin E oil.
(6) Add 2 ounces of almond oil, 2 ounces of shea butter and 2 ounces of cocoa butter.
(7) Mix ingredients in a small pot on very low heat until all the the ingredients have melted.
(8) Simmer for 20 minutes while stirring regularly.
(9) Carefully pour mixture into a plastic or glass jar
(10) Add any desired addiitonal ingredients such as DMAE and mix.
(11) Allow to solidify.
(12) Apply directly to the skin, scalp, or hair as desired

Calendula Oil

When a therapeutic oil is desired:
(1) Pack a glass jar with dried calendula flowers and add olive oil.
(2) Cover the glass jar with a tight lid and shake.
(3) Store the jar in a dark cupboard and shake well every day for approximately two weeks.
(4) Strain the infused oil into a clean glass jar or bottle.
(5) Add a natural preservative such as Vitamin E oil. You can also add any other ingredients such as DMAE.
(6) Mix.
(7)Test the oil on a small area to test for allergic reactions.
(8) If there is no allergic reaction, apply directly to the skin, scalp, or hair as desired.

About the Author 

Jeff Behar, MS, MBA