The ingredients you find in your kitchen — are they powerful, active and cosmeceuticals? No, of course not. But can you trust them to be natural, healthful, packed with vitamins, minerals and nourishment, just as if you were eating them? Yes!
See, 60 percent of what we put ON our bodies gets absorbed INTO our bodies. Makes sense then, that quick, easy to make, natural skin fixes, close as your kitchen, would be fabulous for your skin! So, the next time there’s a beauty emergency, or you’ve got some time to pamper yourself (I know, when does that ever happen, right?), just remember you can’t go wrong with the pure, nutritive ingredients you’ve shopped for yourself. And again, if anyone is wondering, a pretty good rule of thumb in terms of naturals of course, is that if you can eat it, you can massage it into your skin. Here are some of my all time faves:
Avocado
Luscious, nourishing, hydrating, high in vitamins C and E and a good source of essential fatty acids, avocado makes a nourishing, hydrating face masque especially great for dry or mature skin.
Mash 1/2 of a ripe avocado, add a teaspoon of olive or sweet almond oil for extra moisture and spreadability, leave on your face for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing off, preferably with a wash cloth.
Honey
I speak about honey’s miraculous benefits all the time. Keep it in your kitchen to purify pores and eliminate blemishes and fine lines, hydrate the skin and draw moisture from the air like a humectant, help with acneic breakouts and scars as well as exfoliate without irritation or scrubbing so even the most sensitive people can use it — it makes a great cleanser or mask. To use as a cleanser: Apply a small amount to damp skin and rinse well. As a mask: Apply to dry skin until you can’t apply it any longer (when it’s too darn sticky). Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes and then rinse off with a damp cloth.
Lime juice
Fresh lime juice is a naturally mild tonic astringent that removes excess oil without causing irritation or redness. The fruit’s antibiotic and antiviral properties also appear to fight the inflammation and infection linked with acne flare-ups. Drinking lime and other citrus juices can also provide some relief from acne breakouts. Use straight on the skin after your cleanser or masque as a natural toner. Do not rinse.
Tea
Reduce puffy eyes by brewing chamomile tea, letting bags cool and applying to each eye. Leave in place for 10 minutes, and voila! The calming chamomile and cool water work together to help reduce puffiness and swelling around the eyes. For intensive treatments at your disposal any time, place the brewed tea in ice trays. Then they are ready for placement in a cloth over any area that seems swelled or red.
Olive oil and sugar
Sugar is a natural AHA and an excellent exfoliant. A homemade sugar scrub will leave your skin looking and feeling soft, radiant and super smooth. Sugar is far superior to salt in that sugar has no rough edges. Salt on the other hand, save for the bath. Its nutritive benefits are fine for a soak — but not so fine for scrubbing on the skin! Mix together about a 1/4 cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Rub gently in a circular motion, and rinse with warm water. Then I would take some of that olive oil while damp from your shower or bath and massage it all over (mix in some of your favorite scent or essential oil first). Olive oil is highly nourishing and makes a fantastic body oil!
Yogurt and oatmeal
Yogurt and oatmeal are also wonderful natural acne remedies (and great for all skin types, really!). Yogurt has mild astringent, soothing and probiotic properties, and its high zinc content will banish your blemishes. It’s a terrific moisturizer and its lactic acid makes your skin smooth, too.
Oatmeal is a great gentle, natural exfoliate that is both soothing and super softening for your skin all over and works to minimize breakouts due to clogged pores. Blend together a paste of yogurt and oatmeal, add a dollop of honey and you have one fantastic acne-blasting mask (and cleansing paste!).
You really can’t go wrong with homemade, natural skin care treatments. The key is a natural curiosity and just experiment on your own time with ingredients in your kitchen. You’ll have fun and your skin will certainly benefit!
Expert Suki Kramer founded suki® clinically-proven natural solutions® skincare with a commitment to education, empowerment and 100 percent natural beauty products that work like they should. She has found loyal followers in some of Hollywood’s hottest green enthusiasts like Alicia Silverstone, Courteney Cox and Julianne Moore and top celebrity makeup artists Jenna Hipp (renowned green nail stylist) and Pati Dubroff.
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