Simple skin care
You don't have to spend a lot of money to look after your skin - try some of these simple recipes made from everyday ingredients to nourish and restore the skin.
INGREDIENTS:
Aloe Vera gel - the inner gel from the aloe vera leaf is cooling, soothing and healing to the skin
Baking soda - A white powder that foams slightly in water, giving a highly cleansing effect
Coconut oil - fat derived from the coconut is highly moisturising and heaven to dry skin
Beeswax - softens the skin without clogging pores
Glycerin - mineral based skin softener, it helps to draw moisture from the lower layers of the skin to the surface
Honey - antibacterial and skin restorative properties
Clays - help to draw inpurities from the skin
Infusion - mixture of herbs and water allowed to steep and then strained
Yoghurt - softening to the skin as well as having a cleansing action due to the live bacteria
Apple cider vinegar - softens and helps restore the natural acid balance of the skin (use diluted)
Witch hazel - distilled witch hazel helps to tone the skin and close open pores
Lemon juice - good for oily skin
Dried or fresh herbs:
All skin types: Chamomile, comfrey, elderflower, linden flower, nettle
Normal or dry skin: Ladie's mantle, marshmallow
Normal or oily skin: Fennel, lemon balm, rosemary, parsley
Oily skin: Sage, mint yarrow
HERBAL WITCH HAZEL CLEANSER
A light, cleansing lotion, great for wiping away daily grime and make-up. Soak a cotton ball in the lotion and wipe gently over your face.
1 tsp dried or 1tbsp fresh chosen herb
100ml boiling water
4 tbsp witch hazel
2 tbsp glycerine
1. Place herb in a bowl, pour over boiling water, cover and leave to cool. Strain with a fine sieve or muslin cloth.
2. Pour 2 tbsp of the infusion into a sterilised bottle or jar. Add witch hazel and glycerine. cover tightly and shake well.
3. Store in refridgerator and use within 10 days. Shake well before use.
OATMEAL SCRUB FOR BLACKHEADS
Yoghurt acts as a skin food and a cleanser, leaving your skin feeling smooth, while the oatmeal and lemon juice clean the pores. Olive oil softens the blackheads so that they can leave the skin easily. You can use this as a mask also, leaving it on for 10 minutes.
2 tbsp fine oatmeal
4 tbsp plain yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp olive oil
1. Mix ingredients together in a small bowl
2. Spread some paste over your face, rubbing in for 5 minutes
3. Rinse off mixture with tepid water
4. Splash your face with cold water or a herbal astringent and leave to dry naturally
5. Keep covered in the fridge for up to 5 days
GRAPEFRUIT AND PARSLEY FACE MASK
This mask will leave your skin feeling new and refreshed. Parsley is particualry good for oily skin.
3 tbsp fine oatmeal
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Juice of 1/2 large grapefruit
1. Place oatmeal, parsley and enough grapefruit juice to make a spreadable paste
2. Let soften for 5 minutes
3. Spread mixture evenly over your face
4. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes
5. Rinse off with tepid water. Pat dry, tone and moisturise
BAKING SODA SCRUB
This mix is particularly suited to oily skin, removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin fresh and clear. As it is dry it will keep well for quite a while in a sealed container.
2tbsp baking soda
2tbsp ground rice (finely ground)
1tsp finely grated lemon peel
1. Mix all ingredients together in a container or jar
2. Apply in small handfulls and rub gently all over the face excluding the delicate eye area
3. Rinse and pat dry gently, following with a toner and moisturiser
