Women have been using natural skin care recipes for hundreds of years. Romans, for example, would use milk and honey to keep their skin supple and soft. Women have always known that honey is beneficial for the skin, in fact as far back as the ancient Greeks. We have only recently found out, though, that honey has antioxidant properties which rejuvenate the skin and helps with sun protection.
Another natural ingredient is olive oil. This was used by Italian woman for hundreds of years. It made their skin soft and line-free. Citrus juices and sea salts are good for oily skin and other types of oils and dairy products are good for those with sensitive skins.
There are many examples of natural products around these days, blending age old wisdom with modern technology. Unfortunately, lots of these all natural products still contain harsh chemicals which often do more harm than good. That is why you must always check the labels and find out what ingredients do what to you. Many commercial products contain artificial colorants and scents, alcohol and astringents, and are not suitable for everyone, especially people with sensitive skin.
The good thing is that it is cheap and easy to make your own natural beauty products in your own home. That way, you know your skin is only going to be treated to fresh, natural ingredients and you will have more left in your wallet for other things. Have a look at the contents of your cupboards and refrigerator and you will find that you have plenty of ingredients ready. You can make most homemade natural skin care recipes in weekly portions and refrigerate them to use later on.
Here are a few recipes for skin care. They all contain natural ingredients including milk, honey, fruit and vegetables.
1. Cucumber Moisturizer. Peel and remove seeds from a medium cucumber. Mix with the juice from one lime and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend in a food processor until smooth. Apply to the face and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat the skin dry.
2. Honey Facial Scrub. Combine 2 tablespoons of finely ground almonds, 1 tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to the face, rinse with water and pat dry.
3. Firming Honey Mask. Whisk together 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of glycerin and a quarter cup of flour. Keep whisking until the ingredients form a paste. Apply this mixture to the face and throat. Wait 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Pat the skin dry.
4. Soothing Honey Lotion. Blend together 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and a quarter of a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to any dry patches on the skin, such as hands, feet and elbows. Leave the mixture on for about 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
5. Moisturizing Honey Mask. Smooth a mixture made from 2 teaspoons of milk and 2 teaspoons on honey over your face and throat. Leave it on for ten minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and pat the skin dry.
6. Apple Honey Mask. Mix one medium sized apple with 5 tablespoons of honey into a paste, using a blender. Smooth this mixture on to the face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it with cool water before patting dry.
7. Honey Papaya Glow. Mash 1 or 2 tablespoons of papaya with a tablespoon of honey to form a creamy mixture. Smooth this over the skin and leave to work for about 20 minutes. Rinse off with water then pat dry.
8. Orange Mask. Cook 3 large carrots before mashing them with 5 tablespoons of honey until the mixture is smooth. Apply it to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse the mask off with cool water and pat your face dry.
9. Gentle Cornmeal Exfoliate. Mix a half cup of cornmeal, a quarter cup of milk, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 4 drops of tea tree oil into a paste. Gently apply it to the skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
10. Banana Mash. Mash a banana in a bowl, apply it to your face for about 15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Pat dry.
11. Banana Mask. Mix a medium sized ripe banana, a teaspoon of olive oil and 2 drops of scented oil (perhaps orange or lemon) together then apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, before rinsing off with warm water and patting your skin dry.
12. Yogurt Whip. Mix a cup of yogurt with a tablespoon each of lemon juice and orange juice. Apply this mixture generously to the face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with cool water and pat dry.
You now have plenty of simple recipes to choose from to make nutritious treats for your skin. Your complete skin care regimen, regardless of skin type, should comprise a cleanser, a toner, an exfoliate and a moisturizer. You should cleanse and moisturize twice a day and after wearing make up or exercising. A mild cleanser is best, one that does not irritate your skin, and your moisturizer should match your skin type.
You might wish to experiment with different ingredients (something that is not such a good idea with commercial products containing chemicals) and see what your skin seems to prefer. There are thousands of different combinations, using only natural and healthy ingredients.
Nearly all skin types benefit from regular facial and steam treatments, perhaps one a week. You can create your own steam treatment at home. You will need a towel, a sink and some hot water. You can follow this with a facial created with olive oil, eggs and lemon juice. You can also experiment with salt, sugar, vinegar, tea bags and oatmeal.
Our skin often reflects how healthy our bodies are inside. It is a good idea to start any natural skin care regimen with a healthy and well-balanced diet. This means you are caring for your skin from the inside out. Water is vital for healthy, well-hydrated skin too.
Our skin is the body’s largest organ and you should try to avoid environmental hazards and pollutants such as harsh chemicals and cigarette smoke.
By: Ken Black
There is a vast array of skin care products available today, and sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by the choices that are before us. This does not have to be a confusing issue as long as you know what your skin needs in a skin care product. Here are some guidelines to follow that will help you make a better choice.
You must first be able to read and understand product labels. You must know what you are buying and its application to your skin each day. What will appear first on the label is the active ingredient that is used the most and the least active will appear last on the list.
You must be able to recognize any harmful ingredients. Try to avoid products containing astringents, alcohols or such names as laureth sulfate, sorbitol or sodium lauryl. Some of the cheap products will possibly contain cheap fillers in order to keep the price low. Some colorants and perfumes may cause skin irritation, blemishes or breakouts.
If you want to stay away from harmful chemicals and ingredients, perhaps it would be best to use natural products. Fruit, vegetables, milk, honey and oils can be used to make effective and gently products for all skin types and conditions. Aloe vera and lanolin are used in products that help soothe and moisturize the skin in a gentle way. Just make sure to check the label before you buy.
There is a variety of skin care creams and lotions to choose from. These range from acne treatments, daily moisturizers to anti-aging regimens. There are also products that will help prevent wrinkles from appearing and will also slow down fine line appearance. Anti-aging skin care products contain two effective ingredients: BHA or beta-hydroxy acids and AHA or alpha-hydroxy acids. These are found naturally in such fruits as grapes and apples. They encourage new cell growth by getting rid of dead cells on the skin.
You are only able to get skin care products that contain tretinoins from your doctor or dermatologist. Tretinoins not only reverse damage to skin caused by the sun but also reduce the appearance of wrinkles. They are considered a medication because they are able to alter the structure of skin cells. Tretinoins rejuvenate the skin by replacing it with newer and healthier skin. They treat fine lines, dark skin spots, rough patches and wrinkles. If you have a serious skin problem, consult your doctor or dermatologist.
After you acquire knowledge of ingredients, you then have to determine your skin type. If you are unsure, consult a dermatologist. This is a good idea if you suffer from allergic reactions, skin rashes and breakouts. If the wrong skin product is used, you could do more harm than good. For example, if you have oily skin and you moisturize your skin with a greasy cream, you are likely to plug up your pores. If you have dry skin, you do not want to use an alcohol based product as it may leave your skin feeling tight and drawn.
Try to find out whether your skin is dry, oil or if it is a combination of both and if you break out easily or are prone to acne. You may have sensitive skin or you may be allergic to some of the ingredients that are found in skin care preparations. Some women only wish to have natural ingredients while others want to get an anti-aging product so that their skin may look young and healthy again. You may need to try several products before you find the one you desire.
Following are five tips to help you choose the very best skin care products:
1. Skin type. You must know your skin type in order to choose the right products. Most people have dry, sensitive, oily or a combination of oily and dry skin.
2. Read the label. Read the entire label before you buy a skin care product. Since water is necessary to hydrate the skin, choose a product that has water as the first or second ingredient on the label. It may be listed as aqua.
3. What season is it? During the course of the year, your skin type may change. For instance, if you have dry skin during the winter, you should avoid skin care products containing alcohol or astringents as these will dry out you skin even more.
4. Check prices. Some products have a high price tag so you should know how much and how often you will use the product. Price is not everything. What works wonders for one person may not do the job for another. Products that are less expensive may have to be applied more often.
5. Use the product faithfully. If you want the product to work, then use it the way it should be used. This includes anti-aging creams and sunscreens. If a product calls for using it twice daily, then use it in the morning and just before bedtime.
Follow these tips and you will find the best skin care product that will make you look years younger.
By: Ken Black