Whenever I manage to get some freedom during the evening, where I’m actually feeling productive rather than lazy, I like to get some DIY beauty treatments in. There are oodles of products available in the drugstore for a couple dollars, or I can get all fancy and purchase high-end products from other stores, but sometimes it’s nice to walk into the kitchen and know you have your beauty products stowed in your fridge.
Natural food such as fruits, vegetables, oats, etc., offer numerous of dietary benefits that not only have an effect on your inner body, but also on skin and nails. However, consuming these products isn’t the only way to get beauty benefits – smearing them on your face will also do the trick in different ways. (Maybe that’s how babies have such smooth skin … they’re constantly getting veggie mush all over it, aren’t they?)
Personally, I feel that the best part of DIY beauty treatments are that you know exactly what you’re putting on your body. Many products on the market claim to be “natural” but still have various ingredients that you don’t know much/anything about.
Below are some different recipes, or even just single items, that can be used as face masks, exfoliates and moisturizers for your face.
Oatmeal and Onion Mask: Onions have anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in healing acne scars while oatmeal is a great skin exfoliant and helps clear pores. Combine boiled 1 oz. purified mineral water over three tablespoons of organic oatmeal, then combine in the puree of a medium onion (peel it and grind it up finely into puree in a food processor) while the oatmeal is still warm. Add honey until you get a desired thickness to make the mask sit comfortably on your face.
Cucumber moisturizing mask: make a one tablespoon puree of cucumber/parsley mixture and combine it with one tablespoon of yogurt. Blend it until the mixture is smooth and then apply it all over your face. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This can be used for all skin types.
Strawberry, grape, cucumber or lemon slices: These all work as fantastic toners after cleansing your skin. They’ll assist in shrinking your pores and making your skin tighter. Lemon slices are recommended for those with oily skin.
Simple Sugar Exfoliant: mix together 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (or coconut oil) and 2 tablespoons of honey to get a quick exfoliant that will get rid of dead skin cells while rehydrating. Use up to three times a week depending on your skin sensitivity. Add a bit of lemon juice to help give your skin a glow.
Lemon and Yogurt whitener: this is a good spot treatment to help fade acne scars. Use three tablespoons of plain or Greek yogurt with four tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix in two tablespoons of honey and I usually add in an egg white which has high amounts of protein that will help your skin against any harshness in the future.
Banana mask for oily skin: blend a ripe banana with tablespoon of honey and lemon juice. Leave it on your face for 15 minutes; use once a week as a rejuvenating mask.
Avocado mask for dry skin: mash half an avocado with a tablespoon of honey. The avocado will help give your skin the moisture it needs. Use one a week as a rejuvenating mask and allow it to sit on your face for about 10 minutes. Avocados in general are great moisturizers, so anyone who has dry patches can cut up some slices and rub them over the dryness.
Toothpaste spot treatment: not a food item, but definitely an item I’m hoping everyone has laying around. If you feel an emerging breakout, dab some toothpaste the night before. The zit will dry out with the help of the clay and mint in the toothpaste. I usually will have the toothpaste on overnight.
Banana mask for redness: this is a good mask to apply if you’re skin is breaking out or is red and blotchy. Mix a ripe, mashed banana with two tablespoons of heavy cream, a tablespoon of honey and another of flour, and finally throw in a tablespoon of water. It should feel rather mousse-y after mixing all the ingredients. Leave on your face for ten to fifteen minutes and then rinse it off.
Under-eye dark circle treatments: apply the classic cucumber slice over your eyes for 15-20 minutes or do the same with chamomile tea bags (that have been steeped – and make sure they’re not boiling hot when you put them over your eyes. Common sense, people!)
Baking Soda Cleanser: mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda with several drops of water until you make a paste. Apply it around your face and leave on for about seven to ten minutes. This makes my face feel really clean and is great for people with oily or even combination/normal skin. I wouldn’t recommend this for someone with really dry skin however.
Do you have any DIY beauty treatments that you like to use? I’ll also post DIY treatments for your body and hair as well!
Day-time colours; left side of the palette
