Natural Skin Care Recipes That Have Survived For Centuries

Today, more and more women are returning to the wholesome beauty treatments that are:

• Totally natural
• Inexpensive
• Quite refreshingly uncomplicated

Many experience satisfying results. The following tips and recipes are made from inexpensive ingredients found in most cabinets, refrigerators or gardens. Some of the ingredients you may have to go to the health food store or supermarket to purchase.

Cleanliness is the first rule to follow for any healthy skincare program, however, lots of soap and water is not always the smartest way to treat your face. Most bar soaps contain detergent, and detergents can dry and damage sensitive skin. Many experts recommend using a vitamin E bar for really effective cleansing.

Regular facial scrubs are also very helpful for deep cleaning clogged and dirty pores.

To scrub:

• Wash the face in warm water
• Open the pores by laying a clean washcloth wet with very warm water on your face for one minute
• Pour about a teaspoon of the scrub solution in your hand and apply it to the damp skin
• Scrub with gentle circular upward motions until dissolved
• Avoid the mouth area and the extremely sensitive skin around the eyes
• Rinse off with tepid water and pat dry

A durable scrub you can store near the bathroom sink in a large-holed shaker is:

Oatmeal Citrus Scrub Grains

• 1 cup orange and lemon peel (air-dried in an uncovered basket until brittle)
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
• 1 cup blanched almonds

Blend ingredients to a coarse powder in a blender or food processor. To use:

1. shake some of the scrub into your palm
2. mix the grains to a paste with a few drops of warm water
3. rub on the face with circular upward motions
4. rinse off and pat dry

Skin tightening masks:

Egg Whites Beaten until Frothy:

• beat two egg whites mixed with one teaspoon of lemon juice until frothy
• apply to face and neck, avoid the eye area
• leave until dry
• rinse and pat dry

Milk of Magnesia Mask: For a soft, tight and vital skin look

• dab well-shaken Milk of Magnesia generously all over the face with a cotton ball
• avoid eye area
• let it harden
• wash off with tepid water

Strawberry Mask:

• ½ cup very ripe strawberries
• ¼ cup cornstarch

Mix together to make a paste, then apply it to the face, leave on for 30 minutes and rinse off with cool water.

Did you know that splashing cold water on the face is an excellent way of closing pores? Run an ice cube over the skin to get the same effect. Your skin will look smooth and plumped. This technique also makes it easier for make-up to go on smoothly.

Rosemary Facial Steam:

One of the best natural skin stimulants is the aromatic herb, rosemary. Rosemary can be obtained from any herbalist or health food store. It is more commonly sold in dried form. Add it to your facial steam. It will activate even the sallowest, most sluggish complexion.

Apple cider is a favorite for natural skincare specialists. Use it as a super skin restorative. Mix 1 part vinegar to 8 parts water and apply it to the face with a cotton ball. It will feed and revitalize depleted skin cells.

Remedy for revitalizing tired aching muscles:

• Brew a large pot of chamomile or rosemary tea (or combination of both) using 10-12 generous teaspoons of the herbs or equal numbers of teabags to a pot of boiling water
• Allow this to steep for 15 minutes
• While the brew is being strained, run a tub full of bathwater
• Add the herb infusion and sink into its soothing depths

Source: Polachic D. Skin care the natural way. Total Health [serial online]. June 1994;16(3):42. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 3, 2008.