By now most of us have heard about the benefits of natural and organic beauty products since there seems to be a recent influx of them touting their beneficial ingredients. While there are some excellent ones out there, you'd be surprised at how many are in your kitchen right now. The following are some recipes that I have used for years along with a couple I've just discovered.
Body Scrub:
Start with a cup or so of sea salt. Mix 1/4th cup of any kind of oil such as almond or jojoba. (I use coconut oil) Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. If I want a pick me up, I use jasmine or peppermint. For calming effect, use lavender or cedar.
Face Scrub:
Lather whatever soap you already use (I use soy black soap) with a tblspn of baking soda. Exfoliate away!
Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment:
Mix 2 egg yolks (save the whites for concoction below) with heated olive oil; Be sure to heat the Olive Oil separately or you will be cooking the eggs. Massage into either wet or dry hair and let it stay on for at least a 1/2 an hour. Your hair will look like a Pantene commercial.
Face Mask:
What to do with those egg whites? Slather on your face and neck and let dry. Wash with cool water and your face will feel very smooth and refreshed.
Lip Exfoliant:
Dip your finger into some petroleum jelly or oil (like olive) and dip again into some sugar or salt. Rub on lips until dead skin is sloughed off. Apply a layer of plain yogurt or sour cream as a mask. Let dry and wash with warm water. Apply some Vitamin E oil. Your lips will feel so smooth and nourished.
Hand Softener:
Take a handful of plain oatmeal and pour just enough milk (it helps to warm the milk) to moisten. Rub all over hands. Rinse.
Nails:
Very simple. Mix egg yolk, 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar as well as olive oil. Soak your nails in the mixture. Rinse. You'll notice a change in the strength of your nails almost immediately.
Elbow Bleach:
This is a new one for me but just one application left my elbows feeling softer. Make a 1/2 cup of peppermint or mint tea and mix with about a 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Apply to elbows, let dry and repeat about 3 times.
Eyes:
To combat tired-looking eyes, put 2 wet chamomile green tea bags on your eyes for at least 10 mins. Drink the tea and get a good night's sleep.
These remedies are not only cost effective but fun to try. You'll feel good both inside and out.
BIO
Suncear has had a life long interest in natural and organic products. After a bout of Graves Disease, she began a quest of integrated wellness. She has enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and plans to start a nutritional counseling business in the Fall of 2010. Her passion for achieving awareness in everything we put on and into our bodies is chronicled in her blog Conscious Living NYC.
She has just become a wellness contributor to Creme Magazine
