Natural Skincare – DIY Recipes

To save money these days many are turning back the clock so to speak, to the times of their mother, grandmothers, great grandmothers. Back to the time when skincare began in the kitchen.
Here are 6 do it yourself recipes for natural skincare you can whip together with ingredients found in most modern kitchens.

Chances are you have no time, but maybe you can talk your grandmother into making them for you!

bath salts

Almond Honey Face Masque
Beat the yolk of 4 eggs with 1 cup of honey. Then mix in 1 cup sweet almond oil with 4 ounces blanched and ground almond to make a thick paste. Massage into your skin leave on 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

For the whole body - Black Tea Body Masque
1 ¼ cups water
2 black tea bags
1 tablespoon chopped sage leaves
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
½ packet unflavored gelatin
½ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Bring the water to boil in a saucepan, add the tea bags, sage, thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Stir in gelatin, honey and almond & peppermint extracts. Let sit in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours or until firm. It should have a gelatinous consistency. Apply to the body, smoothing mixture evenly over skin. Double the recipe to do the whole body. It makes about 1 cup. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water. After you rinse your body will feel toned, refreshed with a smoother, tighter appearance.

The next recipe will remove dead skin cells from your skin. It’s a scrub with pineapple. Did you know that pineapple is a natural gentle exfoliant and an anti-inflammatory? 

Tropical Fruit Masque
½ cup chopped fresh pineapple
1 whole apple(cored and chopped leaving skin on)
¼ cup finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ banana
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ packet unflavored gelatin
In a blender, mix all the ingredients except gelatin on medium speed for 20 seconds. Add gelatin and blend for another 20 seconds. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes giving the gelatin to set slightly. Apply evenly to the entire face and neck area. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. May be used twice a week as needed. Makes 1 cup.

Cucumber Toner
Take 1/2 cucumber and cut it up into rounds after peeling it, place in a bowl with enough lemon or lime juice. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Remove from bowl and gently rub cucumber all over your 
face. Be sure to not get it anywhere near your eyes. Leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water. This treatment will leave your skin tighter, and soft and smooth.

Apricot Milk Bath
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil.

Mix together and let it sit for about 1 hour.
Then mix in: 
1 teaspoon cider apple vinegar
2 tablespoons witch hazel
the juice of 3 apricots put together in a blender with
a small carton of unflavored yogurt.

Stir in 2 beaten eggs, and ½ pint of milk and put it all through the blender. Blend a minute or so and add the another ½ pint of milk. Pour into a plastic bottle and keep in the refrigerator till bath time. Add about one cup per bath, this should last you 6 baths.

Nail treatments
To strengthen your nails, soak them daily for 5 minutes in warm almond or olive oil. Discolored? Clean them in lemon juice and scrub them in white vinegar. 

Before trying these recipes do a patch test to be sure you do not react to any of the ingredients used.
To do a patch test, create the recipe and apply a small amount to the skin on the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours. Remember you are the one responsible for making the product and for your own safety! 

Copyright 2009 Kim Snyder Owner of Overallbeauty.com Your online beauty store! 
Carrying a variety of mineral makeup, makeup brushes, hair care products, BB nail polish, all natural skin care products.