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Beauty treatments don't have to be expensive. You can make your own at home by using these easy and inexpensive recipes, courtesy of Faith to Nature natural and organic blog.
It's not only fun to do, you can also be sure that you are using only the best ingredients and you can alter the recipe to suit your own personal taste. Best of all, you can share your new skills by making lovely, original gifts for friends and family.
Facial care
Oatmeal Facial Scrub
For normal to dry skin (Do not use on sun-burnt skin)
You Need:
- 1 cup plain instant oatmeal
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 egg white
Instructions:
- Crush whole oats with a mortar and pestle, or use the back of a spoon or chop with a knife.
- Mix thoroughly and apply to clean skin. Rub in for about two minutes.
- Allow to dry. This forces the moisture back onto the surface. Rinse off with water.
Honey Almond Facial Scrub
For normal to oily skin
You Need:
- 2 tbs almonds
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tbs lemon juice
Instructions:
- Crush almonds with any of the methods described in the first projects.
- Combine almonds with the remainder of ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly and apply to clean skin. Rub in for about two minutes.
- Allow to dry. This forces the moisture back onto the surface. Rinse off with water.
Rose Mask
Combination skin
This mask, based on roses, is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.
You need:
- optional: 6 fresh rose petals
- 2 tbsp rosewater
- 1 tbsp natural yoghurt, room temperature (not low-fat or non-fat)
- 1 tbsp runny honey (to get honey runny, warm it in a microwave for few seconds)
Instructions:
- Soak rose petals, then crush them in a bowl.
- Add rosewater, yoghurt and honey
- Mix well and apply to skin
- Leave for 10 minutes
- Rinse
Avocado and honey mask
Dry skin
This is a classic recipe for dry skin. Avocados and honey are particularly moisturising.
You need:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions:
- Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey.
- Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes.
- Rinse face with a cool washcloth.
Cucumber and yoghurt mask
Oily skin
Not only is cucumber soothing to your skin, it is purported to reduce wrinkles.
You need:
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
Instructions:
- Clean and peel one cucumber.
- Mash or blend both ingredients.
- Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Apply the cucumber yogurt mask to your entire face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove mask with lukewarm water.
Hand care
Hand mask
For dry skin.
This will make a very rich cream. It will take a while to absorb, but leave your hands silky and smooth.
You Need:
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 3 tbsp of unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp of strong herbal infusion
Instructions:
- For a rich hand mask, thoroughly mix the honey, butter and herbal infusion.
Body care
Brown Sugar Body Scrub
For sensitive skin.
You Need:
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 3 Tbs. lemon juice
- 2 tsp ginger
Instructions:
- Grate fresh ginger, or use the powdered variety if fresh is not available.
- Take into the shower with you and apply handfuls at a time to polish the skin.
Honey Body Scrub
What you need:
- Honey
- Gently smother your wet skin in honey and rinse well afterwards!
Milk Powder, Oatmeal and White Sugar scrub
- Stick a few teaspoons of each in a bowl and add a little bit of water and mix.
- Now scrub all over and leave on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing well.
Foot care
Foot Soak
You Need:
- A bowl of water
- 5 to 10 mint leaves
- 1 cup of sea salt
- 1 lemon or lime sliced and placed in the water
Instructions:
- Let your feet soak for about 10 minutes and relax.
Peppermint Foot Scrub
You Need:
- 1 and 1/4 cup of coarse or sea salt
- 1/4 cup of jojoba oil
- 2 or 3 drops of organic peppermint or lavender oil
Instructions:
- Mix together ingredients. They can even be warmed just a bit in the microwave oven or you can soak your feet in warm water before application.
- Apply the scrub to your feet, rubbing in a circular motion.
- Rinse off with warm water
Foot Massage Oil
You Need:
- 2 teaspoons of jojoba or extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil
- 1 drop chamomile essential oil
- 1 drop geranium essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and massage gently into your feet.
- Put your feet up for sometime.
- Wash your feet with a mild soap and apply nourishing cream on your feet.
Foot Spray
Treat your feet to this tingly foot spray. The peppermint smells great and will revive tired feet in no time.
You Need:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 tsp. organic peppermint essential oil
- 1/4 tsp. organic tea tree essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients and pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray your feet and enjoy!
Edited version of two articles written by Christian and Robyn Astl for www.faithful-to-nature.co.za
