DIY Facial
Give your skin some tlc with a homemade facial.
Walking down the beauty aisle at any drugstore can overwhelm even the savviest of beauty experts and bombshells. What, you might ask, is the difference between a toner and an astringent? How many times a week should I exfoliate? And is it really worth the exorbitant prices they charge for even the simplest seeming products?
Well, the only real difference between an astringent and a toner is the amount of alcohol contained in each (toner has far, far less). Never exfoliate more that three times a week or your skin will start sagging at the ripe old age of thirty. As for pricing...
Cosmetic companies might have fairly solid reasons for their high prices. None of them matter if I still can't afford any of their creams, washes, and lotions. Luckily I work in the beauty industry, so I have all kinds of free samples at my disposal. But for those who aren't so lucky, there is hope. You may not be able to duplicate your favorite collagen moisturizer, but you can make some pretty effective products at home, for the cost of a trip to the grocery store.
Though the scientists who develop all those chemically induced products know their stuff and each product is specially formulated to do just what it claims to, the natural products you make in your kitchen, when used correctly, can bring you a whole host of benefits you might not get from the preservative filled varieties sold in stores. The vitamins and natural acids found in these home remedies are great for most types of skin, plus making your own products is undoubtedly cheaper, fairly easy, and a lot more fun.
The following protocol is best for normal to dry skin. Severe acne should not be treated at home, but if your skin is on the oily side, some of these products can be altered slightly for oily and blemish prone skin. Prep time can vary based on your prowess in the kitchen, but should be about 30 minutes. Treatment time should be about forty minutes, but can be longer or shorter based on your preference. Everything can be kept for up to a week, as long as you remember to refrigerate it!
Please not: All products should be tested behind your ear before you apply them to your face. You might be allergic to ingredients applied topically even if you can eat them just fine.
Honey and Green Tea Facial
(for Normal to Dry Skin)
Cleanser:
You will need:
|
Mix the ingredients in a blender (or with a fork, if you don't have a blender handy). Make sure you mix until the ingredients have become a smooth paste. If the banana is still too chunky, it will just fall off your skin in great clumps. Not pretty. Apply it as you would any other cleaner, rubbing in circular motions, and rinse well. |
Why it works:
Milk contains lactic acid, which is actually an AHA (one of those really expensive ingredients in store bought products). This helps brighten and smooth the skin. How do you think Cleopatra stayed beautiful? Two words: Milk baths.
Egg whites draw oil and impurities from the skin (thereby cleansing it) while the yolk keeps the skin from becoming too dry.
The banana actually serves two functions: First of all, bananas are filled with vitamins and anti-oxidants which your skin needs to fight aging; second, the sweet, fresh smell helps to counteract the milk/egg combination.
Toner:
You will need:
|
Put ingredients into the blender and blend until they form a thick paste. Refrigerate until ready to use. Apply all over with a cotton pad or ball. |
Why it works:
Green tea contains a power blend of antioxidants, making it essential for any skin care routine.
Cucumber is a natural cleanser and the high water content makes it a great freshener too.
Oily Skin Alternative:Green tea is a traditional acne remedy, and cucumber helps to pull impurities form the skin. Oily skin, however, does benefit from the added oil-absorbing power of alcohol. Replace 1/4 cup of the distilled water with 1/4 cup of vodka to help dry up excess oil.
Exfoliant:
You will need:
|
Begin by boiling the peach until it's soft. Discard the pit and blend the flesh with the yoghurt. Using a coffee grinder, grind the rice until it forms a fine powder. Mix it with the yoghurt and peach. Concentrating on the T-zone, spread the mixture over the skin, using a circular motion. Continue scrubbing for up to ten minutes. Rinse with warm water. Follow with a second dose of your cucumber toner. |
Why it works:
The finely ground rice granules act just like those micro-beads you find in store bought exfoliants, sloughing away dead skin cells. Since rice is softer and smaller than salt (used in most home care products), it leaves the skin glowing and bright, instead of red and irritated.
The peach contains AHAs, which act as a chemical exfoliant. Combined with the mechanical exfoliating action of the rice, this exfoliant is a great, gentle way to polish your skin. Plus the peach is a great source of vitamin C, which is vital for skin health, and actually brightens it.
Oily skin alternative:
Use an apple or pear instead of a peach to dry up oil and draw impurities from the pores. You will have to boil it longer to make it mash-able.
Mask:
You will need:
|
Mix ingredients in blender until you have a good, thick consistency. It should still be fairly lumpy. Spread evenly over your skin and let sit for 10 minutes or until dry. Peel away the mask, and rinse excess with warm water. Apply a third dose of the cucumber toner. |
Why it works:
Honey is a natural humectant, which means it draws water to the skin. This makes it a great moisturizer. It does, however, work for oily skin as well, as it is anti-microbial, and tightens pores.
Oatmeal is highly absorbent, meaning it soaks up oil, and hypoallergenic, which makes it great for even sensitive skin. Plus it contains amino acids, which helps to seal water in the skin cells.
Always moisturize at the end of any facial treatment, even if you have oily skin. Home made moisturizers are usually on the gross side, so just suck it up and shell out the money. It's worth it.
