Anyone for a Spritzer?

Not the alcoholic kind I’m afraid. I’m talking about ‘body spritzers’.

I started making them when I went to Dubai about 5 years ago. I stayed at the Royal Meridian, and by the pool the staff would give their clients little spritzer bottles of chilled water to keep them cool during the day. It was lovely, but I found it evaporated on my skin too quickly, and once was gone my skin felt dry again, so I ended up adding some of my Aloe Vera Vaseline Intensive Care to the water.

Not only did it give the spray a delicious, fresh smell, but it also moisturised my skin at the same time. I found myself using it ALL the time, so I then went a step further and added some factor 15 SPF sun cream (Piz Buin, but any non-oily make is fine), which also gave me continued protection throughout the day too.

Obviously it’s important not to thicken the liquid too much, as it will clog up the tube and not spray, however if at least 80% is fresh water, and the bottle well shaken, it will be enough to keep things working smoothly.

That is my favourite spritzer for the pool/beach, however it’s nice during the summer months to have a bottle in my handbag, which I can use throughout the day as and when I feel like it.

For that I like some variety, so I use essential oils instead. This is process is just as simple; but remember that it’s extremely important to use safe oils during TTC and pregnancy.

These are my favourite (safe) oils, and their uses:

Bergamot - Analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, uplifting, and refreshing. Helpful for cystitis during pregnancy.

Frankincense - Antiseptic, astringent, sedative, warming.

Geranium (OK after 3 months) - Antiseptic, antidepressant, astringent, refreshing, uplifting. Eases aching legs and is good for poor circulation.

Grapefruit - Astringent, digestive aid, lymphatic stimulant. Helps with water retention.

Lavender - Antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, antidepressant, healing, relaxing. Helps soothe aches and pains of pregnancy, encourages cell renewal and helps with fluid retention.

Lemon - Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, stimulant, tonic. Useful as an inhalant for morning sickness and in massage for varicose veins.

Mandarin - Antiseptic, refreshing, tonic, mild relaxant. Can ease fluid retention in leg and ankle massages.

Neroli - Antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, relaxing. Useful in pregnancy to promote healthy skin cell regeneration and for easing nervous tension.

Petitgrain - Antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, refreshing, tonic. Helpful in dealing with pre or postpartum depression.

Tangerine - Antispasmodic, lymphatic stimulant, calming, sedative. Helps to prevent stretch marks.

It’s not necessary to use more than 2 drops per 100ml and it’s also fine to mix scents, for example, I like to mix a drop of Mandarin with a drop of Bergamot, which gives a really fresh scent with a musky after taste.

There are also plenty of great looking bottles out there these days, especially on ebay, so you can look good as well as feel good - and also colour match to you handbag in one fell swoop!