Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Homemade Skincare Treatments
The safety of mass-produced cosmetic products, replete with chemical names we can’t pronounce, has recently been called into question by multiple consumer-lead organizations. Under current FDA guidelines aesthetic products are not subject to pre-market safety approval, while companies themselves are left to substantiate the safety of their ingredients.Despite a minimum shelf-life, homemade skincare products are the cheap and simple way to purport the same benefits as higher-priced treatments. Since organic and natural treatments are developed around the healing properties of common fruits, vegetables, herbs, and oils, concocting your own will save you money while ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients.
FACE TONERS
Normal Skin
- 2 parts witch hazel
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
- 3 parts distilled water
- 2 parts witch hazel
- 1 part rose water
- 2-3 drops of geranium oil (optional)
- 2 parts witch hazel
- 1 part lemon juice
- 3 parts distilled water
- 2-3 drops lavender oil (optional)
Witch hazel has been used for centuries in daily skin care routines. It is a gentle astringent and cleanser and boasts anti-inflammatory qualities. With or without these other ingredients it is a perfectly well-rounded every day toner. Rose water helps add moisture to dry skin, while apple cider vinegar is a great pH balancer for normal skin types. Lemon juice has exfoliating properties, as it is a natural alpha-hydroxy acid.
FACE MASKS
Normal Skin
- 1/2 peeled cucumber
- 2 Tbs plain yogurt or cream
- 1 tsp olive oil
This mask has a calming and cooling effect from the cucumber, while the yogurt enzymes allow the mask to gently cleanse and tone the skin.
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbs honey
Honey is a great anti-microbial agent and helps to moisturize the skin. Pumpkin enzymes are great at revitalizing the complexion by softly sloughing off dead skin cells.
Dry Skin
- 3 Tbs Avocado, mashed
- 2 Tbs Honey
- 1 Egg yolk
A great combination to combat dry skin, all three ingredients have strong humectant qualities.
This one can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment for your hair! Just add 1/2 cup warm water to the mixture. Apply after shampooing and leave mask on wet hair for ten minutes. Rinse well.
- 1 Banana, pureed or mashed
- 1 Tbs olive oil
What could be simpler? Bananas are great for nourishing dry and aging skin. They’re chock full of vitamins: potassium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, B, E, and F and have natural moisturizing properties.
Oily Skin
- 1/3 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/3 cup blueberries or 5 strawberries (optional)
- 2 Tbs honey
- 1-2 egg whites
Egg whites are great at refining the skin, making it more taut, and absorbing excess oil. Oatmeal is known for its binding qualities but more importantly it aids in removing dead skin cells and refining oily skin. Strawberries and blueberries have natural astringent and exfoliation qualities.
Vegan option: omit egg white and honey; instead add handful of very finely ground raw almonds to the blender and 1 Tbs water.
- 1 apple, pureed and deseeded.
- 1 Tb lemon juice
Apples are great at balancing combination skin, and they are natural exfoliators replete with alpha hydroxy acids.
Problem Skin
- Tomato, pureed and deseeded or 1/2 cup of undiluted tomato paste
This mask helps to absorb surface oils, and specifically targets pimples and blackheads.
- 12 uncoated aspirin
- 2 Tbs warm water
This mixture does wonders for red pimples and large clogged pores.
Asprin, known as acetylsalicylic acid, is derived from salicin which comes from the bark and leaves of the willow plant. Aspirin is the buffered or neutralized form of salicyclic acid and thus has similar properties (non-abrasive exfoliation and skin renewal) when used topically on the skin.
Patch test this mask before applying to your face. If you have sensitive or dry skin this mask is NOT for you. Don’t try this if you are allergic to aspirin or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. When in doubt, ask your doctor before use.
BODY SCRUB
- 1/2 cup Olive, Sesame, Jojoba or Avocado oil
- 1 cup Epsom and/or Sea Salts
Experiment with adding 2 drops of an essential oil to main oil used. Try lavender, patchouli, ylang ylang, rose, neroli, or bergamot for a relaxing treat!
Disclaimer: We do not provide medical advice or recommend that our users make medical decisions based on our website. Instead, we hope that our readers will use this website as a reference in seeking medical and healthcare services and advice from qualified professionals.
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Labels: Anti-oxidant, DIY, food for the face, living holistically, natural products, skin care, skincare
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