Our garden has one yuzu tree and we enjoy the yuzu that it produces in many ways. We use the juice as a vinegar to flavor food and we eat the peel as a sweet coated in sugar or use it as a garnish added to stews or fish. Or simply, we can throw a few into the bath and enjoy a wonderfully relaxing yuzu bath. While Yuzu is plentiful in Japan, in the U.S., domestic production of yuzu is largely limited to California.
I struggle with dry skin. The low humidity strips my skin of its moisture and always going in and out between warm and cold environments further depletes the natural oils that protect our skin. So during these winter months I really need something to help moisturize my skin. This is where the yuzu comes in. I like to make a yuzu face lotion. Long ago, this was how Japanese women would protect their skin during the dry winter months. I’ll show you how easy it is. And the best part is the face lotion dries nicely. It isn’t sticky, dries quickly and doesn’t leave any residue. I use it undiluted but you can dilute it with a little water if you like before applying to the face. Always do a patch test before use.
This recipe is very simple. It only requries a sterilized jar with a lid, the seeds of the yuzu, and either water or alcohol. I haven’t tried it with water. I hear you can do it, but it doesn’t keep very long. I use alcohol which has a much longer shelf life.
Recipe
3 Yuzu
1 ½ cups of alcohol (35 proof) (water can also be used)
A glass gar with a lid
Remove the seeds from the yuzu. Wash and then pat them dry. Add your seeds to your jar and fill the jar with alochol. Use just enough to cover the seeds and then just a bit more. Put on your lid and keep in the refrigerator for about a week, shaking it once a day. In a few days you will notice the alcohol beginning to form into a gooey consistency. After about a week, remove the seeds and store the liquid in the refrigerator.
Not only is the lotion great for your face. It is also good for dry cracked feet as well. After your bath, please try it.