I have a long torrid affair with skin products--I'm a firm believer in healthy skin, above other things. From soaps, bath lotions, creams, exfoliants...my room is teeming with them. Unfortunately, my supplies are slowly diminishing and I can't afford St. Ives, Olay or Aveeno anymore so I have resorted to making my own. How, you ask? I step into my kitchen and create. Of course it's not something I do every day--or else I would be out of food--but whenever I want to pamper myself. There are so many products that we buy at the supermarket that are useful whether ingested or topically applied.
Olive Oil
As far as I'm concerned, olive oil should be a super hero. I swear by it. I actually have a bottle of olive oil in my room (that's NOT weird). Not only does it taste great but it does everything short of bring peace on the Gaza Strip. It contains such antioxidants as Vitamin A and E which makes it a great skin firming product. Using just a bit of olive oil while you shower will leave your skin glowing and supple. It is also great to use after a day in the sun as it repairs damage from sun exposure. Need to remove that glittery eye shadow? Place some olive oil on a cotton ball and gently swap the make up off. The skin around your eyes will be soft and wrinkle free. *Side Note* Some olive oil in your hair before you shampoo will keep your hair shiny and moisturized.
Yogurt
I am not talking about the Yoplait type with the chunks of fruit inside but the natural type. The probiotics and acidity level of yogurt tighten the skin giving it that fresh look. Yogurt is also a great treatment for acne and those marks that it leaves behind. I would recommend that people who get terrible sunburn use it because yogurt soothes the pain of overexposure to the sun. An exfoliating mask containing lemon juice, honey and yogurt will hydrate and soften your skin.
Garlic
I don't get pimples often--my obsession is a useful one--but when I do, garlic doesn't do me wrong. All I need are two cloves of garlic and some vinegar and I'm guaranteed a clear visage. With it's antibiotic and germicidal, properties garlic makes a formidable acne treatment. Much like olive oil, garlic is an all rounder. Boasting tasty meals, cleansing qualities, hair and nail strengthening and skin care. I have a cousin who has forsaken pharmacy products for garlic as a cold sore treatment.
Baking Soda
This was just sitting in my fridge when someone advised me to use it to soak my feet--they weren't pretty. The baking soda soak not only made my feet soft and smooth but also relieved me of the pain I had from walking around all day. You don't have to limit the soak to your feet, you could drop some baking powder in your bath, especially after a taxing day. Baking powder is also an excellent make up remover so you could refrain from buying some expensive brand name product that doesn't wield results.
Honey
I love it on toast and on my face. Honey was the beauty secret of royalty. Applying some to the skin locks in moisture, which is why it's used in many skin products. Much like olive oil, it contains anti-oxidants that keep the skin firm and brilliant. And if your skin is in need of repair after too much time spent in the sun look no further. Honey also shrinks pores for those of us plagued with opened pores--if it doesn't bother you that's fine but just keep in mind that honey corrects that.
Lemon
When life gives you lemons, get great skin. Applying some lemon juice to your face with a cotton ball and washing out after ten minutes can rid you of acne and dead skin cells. The fruit acid tones your skin and if you have discoloured elbows or armpits, the lemon is the perfect remedy. I have had stretch marks since I was a child, no matter what my weight was or what I used for it, but then I started using a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil on them and I'm almost stretch mark free. Another tip for keeping your skin smooth: a facial of lemon juice and a mashed ripe banana.
Coffee
I don't drink coffee but it's in my cupboard because someone at home does...thank goodness. Grounded coffee is the best thing that I never drank. I enjoy a good night out and often find myself crawling into bed at times when the working world is hitting the snooze buttons on their alarm for five more minutes. As you can imagine, my mirror has seen its fair share of 'puffy face'. My solution is adding some water to grounded coffee and massaging my dark shadows away. Coffee is also fantastic cellulite blaster, especially for the girl who loves short apparel. The best recipe I've encountered so far is a coffee and olive oil paste (told you olive oil does everything). You just apply the paste to the area in need before you go to bathe. If you think a caffeine drink lifts you up, just wait until you see your smooth glowing skin after a topical application.
Of course these aren't the only skin products that can be found in the kitchen but these are my favourites. I think it should be noted that what goes into the body is just as good as what goes on it so eating healthy is a given.
No comments:
Post a Comment