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Low Budget Skin Care That Works

June 9, 2008 By

We all want a natural and glowing complexion. Nobody wants lines or wrinkles, or age spots or blemishes. This is evidenced by the amount of dollars spent every year on cosmetics and miracle creams and lotions. While the cosmetic industry would like you to believe that their product is the “one that works”, you can spend a lot of money finding one that truly benefits your particular skin type.

I know that when I walk into a store and shop for a skin care product, I am usually overwhelmed at the selection and the prices. I read the label and read their claims of “no more wrinkles” and “dramatically reduces the signs of aging”, etc., then I usually question if it really works. I don’t want to spend upwards of $30 and not see any improvement in my skin.

With that in mind, I set out to find a better and more cost effective skin care program. I have come to the conclusion that homemade skin care is an inexpensive alternative. In addition, homemade skin care really works and as an added benefit, no animal testing involved!

Skin care recipes are easily customizable for each skin type. For instance, an oily complexion may want to add a little witch hazel (for its drying properties) to their toner mixture, whereas a dry skin type may add just a bit of Jasmine (moisturizes dry, stressed and sensitive skins and also helps to increase elasticity). The same theory applies to creating your moisturizers and exfoliation treatments. Each recipe is custom made to your liking. In addition the fragrances you decide to choose or blend are truly unique for you taste.

Some common ingredients used in skin care products are almond oil, aloe Vera, chamomile and green tea. Each of these ingredients brings with them unique characteristics. For example almond oil is a wonderful vegetable oil for dry skin. It is used as a carrier oil to blend with other essentials oils. In addition it is easily absorbed into the skin and is an excellent emollient. Aloe Vera stimulates skin cell regeneration and is also known for it healing properties. Chamomile tones all types of complexions. The anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil applied topically improves skin regeneration, and a cold compress does wonders for puffy eyes. Chamomile is used in facial steams to reduce puffiness and cleanse the pores of the skin. Green tea a powerful antioxidant and a potent anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing inflammation in the skin.

Below is a facial mask recipe for both dry and oily skin types.

Avocado and Olive Oil Facial Mask

Ingredients:
½ half ripe avocado
olive oil (for dry skin)

Scoop out the flesh of the avocado and mash to form a smooth paste. Apply to face and leave on 10 to 15 minutes. Soften with warm water and wipe clean. Pat face dry and follow with your choice of toner and moisturizer.

Properties of avocado are: moisturizes, reduces appearance of age spots, heals sun damage and scars. Regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. Additionally, avocado increases collagen in the skin thus great for aging skin and has superior moisturizing qualities

Article by: Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes. For more wonderful skin care recipes and products, visit Skin Care Therapy .

Filed Under: Beauty & Style Tagged With: , , , ,

Honey – A Great Skin Cleanser

May 12, 2008 By

I have always had large pores and oily skin, and because of this felt that I needed to use a facial cleanser specifically formulated to fight acne. If it didn’t contain salicylic acid, I thought my skin would erupt into an oily, broken out mess. But then I started noticing that my skin was getting worse. I was looking worse than I did in high school! The brand I was using was actually trapping the blockage inside my pores by drying out the top layer of my skin; which would then get inflamed. I knew I had to try something different, so I began to research natural skin care.

What I discovered is that honey is a gentle, effective cleanser for acne prone skin, due to it’s healing and antibacterial qualities. It has been used for centuries in the dressings of wounds and burns, but only more recently has the chemical properties explaining these benefits been discovered. The pH level of honey (3.5 – 4.5) is closer to that of the acid mantle (the mixture of sebum and sweat protecting it from the elements) on our skin (4 – 5.5) than other skin cleansers, which may use strong detergents. This mild acidity helps discourage the growth of bacteria and fungi. If the acid mantle is disrupted or loses its acidity, the skin becomes more prone to damage and infection. Honey also contains antioxidants and vitamins in concentrations similar to fruits and vegetables.

From the first day I tried honey on my skin, I began to see benefits that have caused me to stop the use of acne wash forever. First off, I noticed how soft it felt to smooth it on my skin. You don’t have to worry about stinging soap getting into your eyes, and if some drips into your mouth it doesn’t taste awful! Though I still have pores that are prone to blackheads, their size has been reduced, and no longer is my skin so tight and dry on the surface. The blockages are more easily removed. I have less redness on the areas of my skin that were prone to rosacea. I find I no longer have to use moisturizer on my entire face, because that ‘squeaky clean’ dry feeling is eliminated. I’m using a touch of olive oil around the tender skin of my eyes and that’s it. I have also read that hazelnut oil makes a good, light moisturizer for oily skin. On days when I need a little more moisture, I also use 100% pure aloe vera gel on my t-zone. About once a week, I exfoliate by adding a little brown or cane sugar to the honey and very gently massage the least sensitive areas.

I’m saving money by using these natural ingredients that are found in every grocery store. I used to spend $6.99 on each bottle of acne wash, plus another $4 – 6 trying out different moisturizers that always seemed to break out my skin, no matter how gentle they claimed to be. Now, honey costs me around $2, the olive oil is already in my kitchen, and a bottle of aloe vera can be bought for a dollar.

If you’re having issues with your skin, I urge you to give these simple and natural measures a try and see if it doesn’t improve it!

Article by: Marisa Miller is the co-owner of Business In Color – a t-shirt screen printing and graphic design business she runs with her family from home.

Filed Under: Beauty & Style Tagged With: , ,

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