"Raid the Kitchen for your Skin"

The other day, we were at Whole Foods and I saw a magazine.  One of those free publications that you always grab.  It's called B.REAL and I like it.  I love natural home and skin products and they had an ENTIRE spread dedicated to skin.  Be still my heart.  It's too good not to share.

*The following is by Amy Hatcher, Nurse Practitioner*

This is long... 

Oatmeal Cleanser helps restore the natural moisture balance to the skin and can be used for dry or oily skin, clears clogged pores, provides gentle exfoliation, soothes irritated skin, and improves acne.

Ingredients:

1 cup Almond milk or organic milk

1/2 cup whole rolled oats

1 Tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients on high until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour into a clean jar with a tight fitting lid and store in the refrigerator.
3. To use:  place a small amount in the palm of your hand, then gently massage into your skin once or twice daily.  Rinse well with warm water.
4. Store unused product in a sealable container and refrigerate for 1 week.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Aspirin Toner removes dirt and oil, smoothes, softens and heals skin while exfoliating and minimizing the appearance of pores.

Ingredients:

1/2 ounce organic apple cider vinegar

3 ounces mineral water

5 plain aspirin tablets, uncoated

Instructions:

1. Dilute 1/2 ounce organic apple cider vinegar with 4 ounces of mineral water.
2. Use pestle and mortar to crush aspirin tablets.
3. Add aspirin tablet mixture to water and vinegar mix.
4. Apply toner sparingly to areas with acne, rough skin or enlarged pore.

Olive and Almond Oil Eye Makeup Remover

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp organic EVOO
3 Tbsp organic sweet almond oil


Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients in container with tight sealing lid and shake well.
2. Apply as needed with a cotton ball for removal of eye makeup.
3. store unused product in a sealable container and store at room temperature for up to 2 months.

Honey and Brown Sugar Exfoliate leaves skin smoother and clearer with the added antibacterial benefits of honey.  Apply 3-4 times per week for oily skin, 1-2 times per week for dry skin.

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp dark organic honey

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients.
2. Exfoliate gently 2-3 times per week with a gently circular motion on the face.
3. Store unused product in a sealable container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Honey and Avocado Mask moisturizes and soothes dry or irritated skin and improves skin tone.  Great for 2-3 times per week application for dry skin.  (Each application should be a new mixture).

Ingredients:

1/4 avocado

1 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients to form a moist paste.
2. Apply generously to a clean, dry face and let set for 30 minutes.  Gently wash with warm water.

Lemon and Greek Yogurt minimizes hyper pigmentation from acne scarring and sun damage.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp honey

4 tsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

3 tsp plain or Greek yogurt

1 egg white

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until mask thickens.
2. Apply to clean, dry face in the evening and let set for 15 minutes.  Gently wash off with warm water. (Solution will remain fresh in refrigerator for one week).

Homemade Sunscreen

There are endless recipes for homemade sunscreen online.  Many recipes call for oils as the primary ingredient for sun protection, but oils alone may not provide sufficient protection fro the sun.  Ingredients vary widely, but make sure you choose a recipe with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as these agents have a proven ability to protect from the sun's UVA and UVB rays.

Ingredients:

1 cup olive or almond oil

1 oz beeswax

2 oz shea butter

2 Tbsp 100% aloe vera

3 Tbsp zinc oxide

15-30 drops of essential oil, optional

Instructions:

Begin by warming the oil on low heat, add the beeswax and shea butter until they melt, add the aloe vera and mix well.  After removing from the heat, add the zinc oxide and essential oils until all ingredients are well blended.  Sotre in sealable containers until ready for use.  If ingredients separate as they cool, shake the container or set in a warm bowl of water to soften.

Doesn't that all sound fabulous?  Now, I know myself and know that I'm not going to spend a lot of $$ to buy all the stuff needed for all the mixtures.  But, I am definitely going to try some of these, if I have the ingredients on hand. 

I'd love to know if you've tried any of these or plan to!

*This is copied verbatim from B.Real Magazine.  Summer Issue 2012.  Written by Amy Hatcher, Nurse Practitioner.  So don't sue me if these don't work*