As we get older, our lives are enriched with so much joy, love, sorrow and pain. These "life" experiences give us wisdom and insight into living. You learn how to extract the love you are given just as it is taken. During this process, we mustn't let our own essence, our unique sparkle, be taken from us by something called time. Truth be told, as much as we'd like to think our age is only a number, we know that that number does in fact, affect us. Should we simply stoop over and watch, as our bodies slowly transform into bodies we don't like or want to recognize? I feel we should stand up for our inner selves! Be as young as we feel! You can age with grace and dignity as long as you do everything you can, to remain as healthy as you can, and particularly by taking special care of the only skin you'll ever have. We know we will go to great lengths to preserve our bodies. The only lengths you'll need to travel for the following recipes are to and from your fridge to your pantry. I've used and recommend every one. Most of the ingredients you'll probably already have and anything you don't you can simply pick up on your next trip to the grocery store! The results are amazing, really! Your skin will be as special as you are. Not to mention (but to mention!) how inexpensive they are! So here they are and I hope you enjoy using them, as much as I always do.
Egg Mask
Ingredients
1 whole egg or egg white
2 drops olive oil
drop lemon juice
1/2 tsp. honey (can soften first)
1 small piece avocado or tsp. raw oatmeal (optional)
Preparation
Mix all ingredients together in small bowl. Apply to face and neck. Let dry for about 20 minutes. Remove with warm washcloth and splash face with cool water until thoroughly removed. Apply moisturizer.
Cost :$1.10
Apricot Oil Mask
Make a soft paste out of of 2 drops each of (frankincense,sandalwood or,musk,etc.) rose and neroli (orange blossom) oils, (use according to desired fragrance combination and consistency...), 5-6 tsp of apricot oil, 1 tsp clear melted honey and about a tsp. of finely ground almond ( just put some unsalted quickly through the blender). This makes a really nice moisturizing face mask,if left on for 10-15 min., or if you use more almond, it makes a great scrub too!
Aloe Skin Soother
In the Southwest, and many tropical regions of the country, people keep an aloe plant because the gel from the leaves soothes dry, irritated, or burned skin.
Aloe vera gel is an anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It has more than 99% water, which is why it’s so soothing.
Aloe is also a temporary skin-tightener, which makes this a great “mini-mask” when you’re prepping for a party or after a day at the beach, especially if you’ve had too much sun.
The optional lavender oil also soothes burns and adds a lovely fragrance. Chamomile oil calms inflamed skin.
Ingredients
1/4 cup aloe gel (fresh or pure bottled)
2 vitamin E capsules
1/2 teaspoon chamomile or lavender essential oil (optional)
Preparation
1. Keep aloe gel chilled in the refrigerator – where it’ll last about 4 weeks – because cold makes it more effective. When you’re ready to apply the mask, cut open the vitamin E capsules and mix contents with the aloe gel and essential oil.
2. Apply to a clean face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water and moisturize.
Cost: $1.05
Tip: Aloe also reduces puffiness beneath eyes. Lie down for 5 minutes and gently pat back and forth on the under-eye area with your fourth finger. (It exerts the least pressure.)
Butter Cream for Face and Body
Ingredients
cocoa butter (preferably Palmers brand)
few drops vitamin E (capsule or bottled)
few drops of olive oil
few drops aloe vera (preferably fresh from plant)
add a little witch hazel if desired for toner.
Preparation
Blend together and keep covered. Does not need to be refrigerated. It's nice to warm it slightly before you apply to a clean face. Massage generously over face, neck and body. If you have time for a mini home facial, try holding a towel over your head and steaming your face over a pot of boiled water first, (about 10 min.) than applying egg mask and finishing with cocoa cream. Your skin will feel renewed and you will be absolutely glowing!
Homemade Facial Scrubs
Cornmeal recipe
few tsp. white or yellow cornmeal
drop of cream or milk
touch of honey
Apply liberally to dampened face in circular motions,(about 2 min.) taking care to reach earlobes and curves of nose. Rinse thoroughly with warm water followed by cool. Feel the softness!
Sugar Scrub
Few tsp. brown or white sugar
few drops of orange, and/or lemon/lime juices
little water, witch hazel to make pasty consistency
Sugar scrub should be refrigerated.
Use same way as cornmeal scrub. A few drops of any scented oil (spearmint, flower scents are pleasing) is a nice way to add variety and a luxurious fragrance to the scrubs or cream. Both are wonderful and effective exfoliants.(removes dead skin cells from surface)Try them in the shower over your entire body! Get pretty bottles or jars and give them away as gifts or as part of a gift basket! Once you've tried them you'll never go back to high priced scrubs with harsh chemicals, artificial colors and dyes... You'll love them! Guaranteed. (:
Here are a few easy to find natural oils that are beneficial to have handy:
Here are a few easy to find natural oils that are beneficial to have handy:
* Lavender oil
This is the most popular essential oil and with good reason. Lavender oil is a superb product to use on burns, insect bites, sunburn, wounds and other skin complaints and irritations. Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils that can be used neat, or straight (not diluted) on the skin, and is great to help with regeneration and rejuvenation of skin cells. Emotionally it has a calming and soothing effect and is an exceptionally pleasant smelling oil.
* Tea tree oil
Originating in Australia, historically, the leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which is how tea tree oil got its name. The part used medicinally is the oil from the leaves. It can be used effectively with bacteria, fungi (athletes foot) and viruses. Check to see if it surpasses the “Australian Standard” by having less than 15% 1,8 cineole and more than 30% of Terpinen-4-ol. This powerful essential oil is effective in various ways to fight infections and skin problems, such as mild to moderate skin blemishes and acne. It is a good staple to have in your "medicine" cabinet.
*Almond oil
This light and deeply moisturizing oil has a softening effect on the skin and can be used on the face and body. Almond oil has excellent emollient properties and helps to balance water and moisture loss in the skin. It can be used neat on the skin and also makes an excellent massage base oil.
* Apricot kernel oil
Also rich in the same essential fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid found in olive oil, apricot kernel oil is high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is a good oil for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin. Known for its high vitamin E content and skin softening properties, apricot kernel oil is also sought out for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily feel. Apricot kernel oil is also popular as massage oil and it used as carrier oil when used with essential oils for aromatherapy.
This is the most popular essential oil and with good reason. Lavender oil is a superb product to use on burns, insect bites, sunburn, wounds and other skin complaints and irritations. Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils that can be used neat, or straight (not diluted) on the skin, and is great to help with regeneration and rejuvenation of skin cells. Emotionally it has a calming and soothing effect and is an exceptionally pleasant smelling oil.
* Tea tree oil
Originating in Australia, historically, the leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which is how tea tree oil got its name. The part used medicinally is the oil from the leaves. It can be used effectively with bacteria, fungi (athletes foot) and viruses. Check to see if it surpasses the “Australian Standard” by having less than 15% 1,8 cineole and more than 30% of Terpinen-4-ol. This powerful essential oil is effective in various ways to fight infections and skin problems, such as mild to moderate skin blemishes and acne. It is a good staple to have in your "medicine" cabinet.
*Almond oil
This light and deeply moisturizing oil has a softening effect on the skin and can be used on the face and body. Almond oil has excellent emollient properties and helps to balance water and moisture loss in the skin. It can be used neat on the skin and also makes an excellent massage base oil.
* Apricot kernel oil
Also rich in the same essential fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid found in olive oil, apricot kernel oil is high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is a good oil for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin. Known for its high vitamin E content and skin softening properties, apricot kernel oil is also sought out for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily feel. Apricot kernel oil is also popular as massage oil and it used as carrier oil when used with essential oils for aromatherapy.
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