I always get the itch to do a little self-pampering in the early spring. I especially love facials. After a long winter of dry-skin, I can’t wait to get my healthy summer-glow back. But most facial products are chocked-full of nasty ingredients (see Natural Beauty: Avoiding Toxic Make-Up). Knowing that I’m putting toxins on my face and then washing them down the drain takes all the enjoyment out of the facial for me. So, I started to explore all-natural options.
…Actually, I have yet to find an all-natural moisturizer that I am completely satisfied with. Do you have a favorite moisturizer, cleanser, and toner? Please let me know in the comments section!
Since I don’t have a favorite store-bought moisturizer, I usually use aloe, jojoba-oil, and other homemade options. I feel that homemade is the best option when it comes to skincare. It’s the only way to have full control over what exactly is going on your skin. There are tons of recipes to be found online for homemade face scrubs, masks, toners, and cleansers.
If you have never done this before, you might be surprised by some of the ingredients {or you might want to eat them.} Turns out that foods like honey, yogurt, bananas, and oatmeal aren’t only good for us on the inside of our bodies…they also do wonders when topically applied.
Take some time this week to give yourself a homemade facial. I found the following recipes on the Epic Beauty Guide, which is one of my favorite blogs. You will be happy with how your skin looks after you try these:
Sugar Scrub
Removes dead skin cells so moisture can penetrate, heals scars and acne, anti-aging.
{INGREDIENTS}
2 Tbsp. organic, cold-pressed olive oil
1 Tbsp. organic, raw honey
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
1 small, dark glass container {dark glass prevents the oil from oxidizing and will not leach into your scrub}
{STEPS}
1. Pour your olive oil into your glass container. Then pour in your honey. Mix well.
2. Add the sugar slowly and mix as you go. You may use less or more than 1/4 cup. You should end up with a thick scrub. Add a little more oil if you feel it’s too thick.
3. Apply to your freshly washed face, neck, and chest. Massage the scrub gently. If you have very sensitive skin, rub the scrub in your hands for a few seconds to soften up the granules, then apply.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Skip the toner (you want to keep the remaining olive oil on your skin).
5. Store the leftovers in a cool, dark place like your medicine cabinet.
Milk & Honey Mask
Moisturizing, anti-aging, evens out skin tone and texture, heals damage, soothes inflammation.
{INGREDIENTS}
1 Tbsp. organic milk ~ see if you can get local, raw goat’s milk or cow’s milk; you can also use plain, organic yogurt
1 Tbsp. organic, raw, unfiltered honey
(Optional) 1 tsp. aloe vera gel ~ see if you can get an aloe plant, then you just break off a “leaf” and squeeze the fresh gel out!
{STEPS}
1. Mix ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. After cleansing, apply the mask to your face.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Wash off with lukewarm water, and a splash of cool water.
Champagne Toner
Cleans out and closes the pores, evens skin-tone, evaporates oil.
{INGREDIENTS}
A shallow dish, a measuring spoon, a cotton ball, and a bottle of champagne.
{STEPS}
1. Pour about 2 Tbsp. of champagne into your dish and drop your cotton pad into the champagne. Let the pad soak it up.
2. Wipe the champagne-soaked cotton pad all over your face, neck, and chest. It is fine to use around the eyes, just don’t get it in there!
3. Don’t rinse off. Follow-up with a light, natural moisturizer — jojoba or sweet almond oil are great.
Have you tried using unrefined organic coconut butter/oil as a moisturizer? It costs around $7 and the jar is so large that it can last for months at a time. I started using this 6 months ago and my skin has calmed itself and cleared up quite a bit. It takes a few weeks to get used to it, but now I love it!
I just read the same thing about the coconut oil. Definitely plan to try it once I finish up my Aveeno.
Michelle, thanks for the tip! I’m going to head to the co-op tonight and pick up some coconut oil! Excited to try it! I’ll let you all know how it works for me.
I have fair skin, so pimples stand out like a sore thumb on my face. I have tried just about every skincare regimen and brand out there, and nothing has worked as well as the all-natural approach.
With my wedding coming up, I am so excited that I finally found a way to keep my skin clear….and the best part is that I can use ingredients I have in my kitchen. All-natural is the most affordable and healthy way to take care your skin. I just wish I had figured this out sooner.
Laura, Thanks for stopping by! Please let me know how the coconut oil works for you. I’m curious how it will work for people with different skin types.
I took a look at your blog…what you and your family is doing is very interesting. Mike and I dream of downsizing and moving into a smaller house and having less things. Minimalistic living really speaks to me. Keep writing, I want to hear more!