DIY Natural Skincare

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Buying skincare products is fun- trawling through blogs for recommendations, critically reading hundreds of reviews,  that heart wrenching thrill when you press 'Checkout' feeling like you have definitely found 'THE ONE', that perfect, life changing product!!!!!

Oh wait, is that just me? ;)

Anyway, as fun as that is, something just as fun is making natural, gentle and economical skincare from products from our own pantry or fridge. And so below is a list of some of my favorite DIY skincare- 

Raw Sugar and Oil Face Scrub 

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar, 3 teaspoons of oil (I like Olive Oil, or you could use Coconut Oil as well)

Method: Mix together in a small bowl. Adjust ingredients as necessary. Take a warm (not hot) face towel and sit it over your skin for a minute to open pores. Repeat. Then scoop up the scrub and slowly massage it over your face for a minute, avoiding the eye area. Do not use quick or rough movements, as this will be too abrasive for your skin. Rinse the scrub off your face with warm water. You may find you do not need your usual moisturizer/oil. You might like a few swipes of toner if you like that fresh feeling.

Results: Your skin should be baby soft and glowing! The sugar will exfoliate and the oil is full of skin loving vitamins! If you have particularly sensitive skin, you could use bicarbonate soda/baking soda as an alternative to the sugar. I recommend skin patch testing this scrub on a part of your neck or your inner wrist first to test for any allergies/reactions.

Full Fat Greek Yogurt Face Mask

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of Full Fat Greek Yogurt, 1 tablespoon of Manuka or Organic regular honey

Method: Mix together in a small bowl. After cleansing, apply a thin layer of the mixture over your face., avoiding your eye area. Let it set for 45 mins-1 hour. Remove with warm water and tone as usual. 

Results: Your skin should be plump, clear and glowing due to the gentle lactic acid found in yogurt! Plus the honey has soothing and antibacterial properties, so can help to calm irritated or broken out skin.  Do not use if you are lactose intolerant and always patch test first. :)

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar, 4 teaspoons water

Method: Mix together in a small bowl. After cleansing, take a cotton pad, dip it in the bowl, and swipe over your skin. Let it dry and then follow with your usual moisturizer/oil. 

Results: ACV has antibacterial properties, so can assist with clearing breakouts. It also can assist with bringing your skin's acid mantle back to its normal PH level. Make sure you get the ACV with 'The Mother'- do not get a refined ACV, as it doesn't have all the nutrients. As always, patch test for reactions or if you have sensitive skin, start with 1/2 teaspoons of ACV.

And of course, you can eat most of those foods for inside health benefits as well!

M. :)