Natural Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Natural Moisturizers for Dry Skin
By Laci Chiodo

Does your skin feel like a desert? Not to worry! Soft, supple skin is not a mirage. If you're stuck in a dry spell and searching for relief, try a few of these natural moisturizing techniques to hydrate and revitalize your skin.

Hydrating Facial Mask
In a small bowl, mix one avocado, one raw egg, and one teaspoon of coconut oil to form a creamy paste. Apply the paste to your face and let it work its magic for 25 - 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Raw eggs and avocados contain natural moisturizing proteins, making them a super combo for fresh, luxurious skin. Adding coconut oil provides a boost of antioxidants.

Milk Bath
Fill your bathtub with warm water and add up to five cups of rich, whole milk or buttermilk. Light a few candles, turn on some tunes, and soak yourself for twenty to thirty minutes. Milk contains proteins that can help smooth and rejuvenate dry skin.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Exfoliant
Mix one cup uncooked oatmeal and a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt to create an exfoliating paste. Use as a gentle body scrub to remove dry, flaky skin and dead skin cells. The oatmeal will do the scrubbing while the yogurt does the moisturizing.

Maintain a Healthy Diet
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat foods high in nutrients. Think fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco - all skin dehydrators, and avoid processed and packaged foods as much as possible.

Apple Tart Soap Recipe

Apple Tart Soap Recipe

4 oz. Clear, Unscented Glycerine Soap
1 Tablespoon Liquid Soap
1 teaspoon Liquid Glycerine
1/2 teaspoon Apple Fragrance Oil
2 drops Red Food Color
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Melt soap in small pan over low heat or in a glass cup in the microwave.
Add Liquid Soap and glycerine and stir gently but well. Add fragrance, color and cinnamon. Stir and let stand a couple minutes, just enough to start to thicken so when you stir again the cinnamon will be more evenly distributed.

Pour into molds. Allow to set completely (in or out of freezer). Wrap in plastic wrap or use cellophane candy bags.

Firmer Breasts

Firmer Breasts

To firm breasts and tighten the skin, mix one teaspoon of vitamin E oil with one tablespoon of yogurt and an egg.

Massage this mixture into breasts and wear an old bra over the mixture for at least twenty minutes.

Rinse off with warm water.

Hair and Beauty Home Recipe

Natural Beauty

Homemade Products

Debbie DeSpirt

Beautify your hair and complexion with simple and inexpensive recipes.

Millions if not billions of dollars each year are spent on advertising campaigns to teach us how to look beautiful. As you look in the mirror you see your face is a little lifeless and you have countless options to bring the spark back into your skin. Nevertheless, the best kept secret is natural beauty products made at home. As well, the key to beautiful skin and hair is a balanced diet with limited intake of sugar, caffeine, and oil products.

Shiny Hair

Remove the build up from your hair with a simple natural recipe. Take care of your hair by removing the stagnant and dead particle matter that gets locked into your hair strands. Often the hair becomes dull and lifeless when life becomes stressful and overwhelming. Remove the toxins with either of these two recipes. Your hair will be left shiny and soft after the build up has been removed.

Clean Hair Recipe #1

Put 1 cup of molasses, maple syrup or honey into your hair. Make certain the molasses, maple syrup, or honey covers all of your hair from the roots to the ends. Wrap plastic wrap around your hair and put a towel over your head. Let the product sit in your hair for 15-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

Clean Hair Recipe #2

Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 cup of natural shampoo.

Pour 1 tablespoon of the shampoo into the hair and lather. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Health and Beauty Secret

Many of us are looking for the ancient secrets that will keep us looking healthy and beautiful. We search the stores and listen to the countless infomercials on the power of their product to reduce aging and to bring our youthful complexion back.

Water, water and more water is the answer. Water removes the toxins from the body to give your skin a healthy and vibrant look.

As well, to keep the skin hydrated use a few drops of jojoba oil on the face. Apply the drops to a damp face, as the water aids the oil to absorb into your face.

Natural Health and Beauty Experiment:

For six weeks drink 8 glasses of water a day. At the beginning of this experiment, your complexion will probably look worst as all the toxins are coming to the surface. After the six weeks, you should have a vibrant complexion.

During the six weeks, refrain from highly processed foods and increase your vegetable and fruit intake. Vegetables and fruits are best in their natural state.

Natural Dry Hair & Skin Remedies

Natural Ingredients and Recipes to Soothe Your Skin and Hair

Catherine Solmes

Treat and soothe your dry skin and hair with natural ingredients and recipes you can make yourself.

Often the most effective ways to treat dry skin is using natural ingredients and remedies. Did you know that remedies for dry skin and hair can be found in your kitchen cupboard? Give your dry skin a break and soothe it with natural and gentle ingredients.

Hair that is dehydrated looks flat, dull and dry. For a quick, at-home, all-natural fix, try this floury hair mask for soft, super-shiny hair:

• 1/2 cup of white spelt flour
• 1/2 cup of barley flour
• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

Sift the flours together and pour in the liquids, mixing well. Smooth over dry hair, making sure to coat each strand. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

Olive Oil

The wonder product that is good for your inside and outside. Massage it into excessively dry skin such as your heels, elbows, knees and cuticles. Mix some into warm (not hot) bath water. Massage it into dry hair and scalp. Use it as a facial moisturizer or after a shower or bath as a body moisturizer.

For an exfoliating treatment, mix two parts brown sugar with one part olive oil. Rub gently into your skin before a shower.

Banana

Banana is a gentle, effective moisturizer for dry or aging skin. The natural emollients in the fruit will soothe and hydrate your parched skin. Simply mash a ripe banana into a paste and apply it to your face or whatever part of your body that is excessively dry for ten minutes. To make this simple mask even more effective, combine it with a teaspoon or so of olive oil.

Honey

Honey acts as an intensive moisturizer for the skin. It will soften, firm, smooth and moisturize your skin, and is especially good for aging skin.

Ways To Use Honey:

• Smooth a thin layer onto freshly cleansed skin and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Try mixing 1/4 cup of honey into warm bathwater for a moisturizing soak.
• Combine a teaspoon of honey with 4 cups of warm water and work through hair after shampooing. Do not rinse and dry as usual for extra shiny, sweet-smelling, soft hair.
• Apply to the dry, flaky skin of the heels, elbows and knees and leave for ten minutes .

Oatmeal

Oatmeal's mild exfoliating, softening and cleansing properties makes it ideal for sensitive and dry skin and skin conditions such as psoriasis and excema.

Ways To Use Oatmeal:

• Try 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oatmeal powder available at most grocery and health food stores) in a lukewarm bath to soothe dry, itchy skin.
• Use cooked oatmeal as a body mask. Apply it to clean, damp skin and leave for a few minutes, then rinse off in a bath or shower.
• For a gentle cleansing treatment, mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 2 tbsp of plain yogurt and apply to skin. Leave on for ten minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Extra Tips

• Because hot water will dehydrate your dry hair and skin, use only lukewarm water to wash it.
• Treat your hair, feet and hands to an all-night hydrating mask. Saturate your hair and massage into your skin, a generous amount of olive oil, wrap in plastic and cover with socks, gloves or a towel. Wash as usual in the morning for soft, smooth, moisturized skin.
• Eating oily foods can increase the moisture in your skin - try adding the healthy oils to your diet by eating nuts and fish. Ensuring you drink lots of water each day will help your skin and hair hydrate itself.
• Things that can aggravate dry skin and hair include: pollution, caffeine and smoking.

DIY Make a Milk Bath

Natural Skin Care Recipe

by Kim DeLeary

Remember Cleopatra's famous milk and honey baths? It is easy to create your own luxurious milk and honey bath at home.

The milk and honey baths of Cleopatra are well known because they were part of her regular skin and beauty treatments. Milk is a luxuriant skin treatment when it is added to bath water. Milk exfoliates, softens and nourishes the skin. There are several ways to enjoy a milk bath.

Use Dry Or Wet Ingredients In Your Milk Bath

You can use liquid milk or dried milk. The honey may be liquid or dry. You can use any combination or dry or wet ingredients. Milk provides nutrition directly to the skin. Milk acts as a mild exfoliate. Milk softens and hydrates the skin too.

Add Honey, Oatmeal, Sea Salt Or Baking Soda To The Milk Bath

Honey softens, provides nutrition and acts to protect the skin. If you add oatmeal, the oatmeal will soothe dry, itchy skin and protect skin. Sea salts detoxify and soften skin. Another ingredient you can use in your milk baths is baking soda. Baking soda is a good cleanser and skin softener. If you add all of these ingredients together, you will have a wonderful mixture. Even if you use any of these ingredients alone, it will good for the skin.

Try An Oatmeal, Cream And Honey Bath

Oatmeal soothes skin. If you have cooked oatmeal and there is some liquid from it, add this to the bath as well. You can use cooked oatmeal in a bath tea bag that doubles as a washcloth.

Customize This Milk Bath Recipe

You can make a simple milk and honey bath by adding between half a teaspoon to one or two tablespoons of wet honey (or its dry equivalent) and one cup of liquid milk (or its dry equivalent) to your bath water. Add about half a cup of dried milk or one cup of liquid milk as a single ingredient for a simple milk bath.

For a large batch, mix three cups of dried milk to one cup of ground quick cooking oats. You can grind the oatmeal in a blender. Grinding the oatmeal is optional. Use a few tablespoons for each bath. You can also scoop some of this mixture into a large tea bag. The oatmeal will soften and soothe the skin. Store your mixture in an airtight container and use a scoop or pour out from the container when using it. Avoid putting your fingers or moisture into the mixture. Another recipe for a large batch of milk bath mixture combines one-cup cornstarch, two cups dried milk and half of a cup of sea salt. Add two or three tablespoons of your bath mixture to each bath.

It is easy to use milk as a bath product. A milk bath mixture can easily be customized by adding other simple ingredients that can be found in most households. Just be sure you are not allergic to dairy products before using milk in your bath. By adding such nutritious ingredients to your bath water, you will have softer and smoother skin.

DIY Natural Berry Lip Gloss

by Kim DeLeary

Use Fresh Cranberries, Oil, Honey & Vitamin E To Make This Lip Gloss

All you have to do is mix then heat the ingredients together in a microwave. Use this natural lip gloss to color your lips a berry red. Get the lip gloss recipe here.

Use Natural Lip Gloss Instead

Your skin will absorb whatever you put on your mouth and because it is in such close proximity to your mouth, chances are you may accidentally swallow some of your lip gloss as you wear it.

What would you think if you could make a natural red lip gloss with a few common natural ingredients? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to stain your lips without any synthetic dyes or chemicals? That day has come.

Natural Cranberry And Honey Flavor

This lip gloss recipe uses fresh cranberries, which can taste somewhat bitter in comparison with other sweeter berries. The addition of honey to this recipe sweetens the sour taste naturally and the honey keeps the lips soft.

All you have to do is make steep and crush fresh cranberries in a little amount of hot oil and honey. You can easily heat your ingredients in a small microwaveable bowl in the microwave.

The natural red from the cranberries is one of the most saturated fruit colors that you can add to a natural lip gloss recipe.

Supplies, Equipment And Ingredients

As for supplies, you need a sturdy microwaveable bowl, a wooden spoon, and a microwave. You will use the wooden spoon to crush the heated berries with the oil in the bowl. After you have washed and dried the fresh cranberries, choose the berries with the deepest red color for use in your recipe. You can use any type of vegetable, fruit or nut oil or butter in your recipe. Olive oil, which has a strong scent, may not be suitable for this lip gloss recipe. The contents of a vitamin E capsule will act as a preservative for this recipe.

Ingredients

• 10 Fresh Cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 1 Capsule Vitamin E

Directions

1. Blend the honey and oil in the microwaveable bowl. Add the cranberries to the mixture.
2. Heat the mixture in 30 second bursts until the mixture just begins to boil. Stir again.
3. Use the wooden spoon to crush the berries. Continue crushing until you have crushed all ten berries and the oil mixture is red.
4. Cool the mixture for ten minutes. Strain using a muslin cloth.
5. Stir again then cool. When the mixture is cooled, yet still liquid, add to your recycled lip gloss container. If the mixture has cooled to the point of solidifying, then reheat gently in the microwave until it is liquid again and pour into the container or containers.

Now, you know how to make natural lip gloss. With some experimentation, you can adjust the amount of berries needed to get the exact color that you want. You will enjoy how quick it is to make your own natural cranberry lip gloss and you will love the natural berry color. Natural makeup like this is easy to do.

Problem Hair

Natural Treatments For Problem Hair
By M.S. Beltran

Is your hair dry and brittle? Is the color dull and lackluster? Forget expensive commercial products that can do more damage than good to your hair; treat your hair yourself, using all-natural ingredients found in your own kitchen.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT

Would you believe that most commercially bought cholesterol hair conditioners contain alcohol� the very thing that dries out hair? Instead, grab a cup full of mayonnaise, some plastic food wrap and throw a couple of towels in the drier on high.

Work the mayonnaise into your hair, starting by massaging it into the scalp and roots. Then draw it through to your ends until your hair is thoroughly coated. Pile the hair on top of your head. Take a couple of feet of saran wrap and wrap it around the top of your head to contain the mayo.

Take a pre-heated towel from the dryer and wrap it around your head over the saran wrap. The heat will aid with deep conditioning. After about 10 minutes, change to another heated towel and leave that on for another 10 minutes.

Remove the towel and plastic wrap and shampoo your hair as usual. Done once a month, this cholesterol treatment will keep your hair soft and shiny.

* Tip: if your hair ends are very damaged from chemical treatment, you can do this once a week. If your scalp is naturally oily, you might want to only add mayo to the hair ends for weekly treatments.

QUICK SOLUTION FOR OILY HAIR

If your scalp is naturally oil, you probably have to shampoo your hair daily to keep it from looking greasy or stringy. If, however, you are running short on time or need a quick lift in the middle of the day, grab a box of cornstarch and a large, clean blush brush.

Pour some cornstarch out onto a dish and dip the brush into it. Then, with a comb, part your hair in the center and brush the cornstarch onto your scalp and roots. Make another part 1/4 to inch off-center and repeat. Continue this method down one side of your head, then from the center and down the other side.

Go about your business for about 10 minutes while the cornstarch soaks up the excess oils in your hair. Then, take a brush and brush out your hair, ridding it of the cornstarch flakes.

FOR A COLOR ENHANCER:

If your own natural color, or your color treated hair, begins to look drab, all you need are a few ingredients from your garden or local produce store to brighten it up.

Begin by boiling one quart of water. In a piece of doubled cheesecloth, add the following:

• for brunettes: a handful fresh rosemary sprigs (bruise by crumpling in your hand)
• for blondes: a handful of dried chamomile
• for "orange tone" redheads: a chopped-up carrot
• for "berry tone" redheads: a chopped up beet

Tie up the ingredient in the cheesecloth and toss into the boiling water, removing it from heat. Let steep for 10 minutes.

Remove and discard the cheesecloth bag. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual. Then, pour the warm (not hot) color-enhancing rinse over your hair. As a final rinse, use a quart of cold water. Once a month treatments will keep your hair color vibrant.

BUILD-UP REMOVER

Often the culprits of drab coloring and lackluster hair are all the styling products that we regularly use. They begin to build up and dull the shine and tone of our hair.

Get rid of the build up by mixing 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of distilled water. This can be stored in a cabinet or the refrigerator and used every couple of weeks to keep hair squeaky clean. To use it, wet hair with warm water, or shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour 2 cups over the scalp and let mixture saturate the hair. Finish up with a cold-water rinse.

Homemade Hair Spray

Homemade Hair Spray

Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator.

If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.

DIY beauty - feet

Tequila and lime take on achy, breaky tootsies.

Both lime essential oil and alcohol have astringent properties to reduce swelling of achy, breaky feet. Lime also soothes and conditions skin. For the ultimate foot cure, follow the use of this recipe with a sugar scrub and a rich foot cream.
Here's what you do:

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl of warm water. Find a comfortable spot and soak your tootsies for 10 minutes.
You'll need:

* 2 sliced limes
* torn fresh mint leaves
* 5 to 7 drops lime essential oil
* A shot of inexpensive tequila

Mindless Mint Soak
Soak your cares away with this peace-inducing foot bath.

This recipe is an at-home spa staple. Grab the fixings from your backyard garden (or local grocer) and you've got a no-brainer foot soak!
Here's what you do:

Boil peppermint leaves and rosemary in a medium pot of water. Turn off the heat and let steep for ten minutes. Strain leaves out. Add strained mixture to 1/3 a foot basin and fill the rest of the basin with cool water so you can soak comfortably. Relax for 20 minutes. Pat your tootsies dry and slather in moisturizer.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup each of fresh peppermint leaves and rosemary sprigs
* 6 cups of water

Mulling Over it Foot Soak
Cinnamon and spice and everything nice foot soak.

Mulling spices contain an aromatic blend of cinnamon chips, dried orange peels, cloves, allspice berries and natural oils. The cinnamon bark has anti-inflammatory properties while the orange essence soothes and conditions skin. Soak your tootsies in this concoction after a long day of holiday shopping.
Here's what you do:

Simmer the mulling spices up to 30 minutes, pour into foot bowl. Add orange peels and enough warm water to cover feet.

* 2 tablespoons mulling spices
* Handful of orange peel strips

Stinky Feet Be-Gone Spray
A deodorizing spray for icky smells.

A cooling and deodorizing spritz for your feet and body. Great for stinky boy feet!
Here's what you do:

Combine all ingredients and pour into a spray bottle.
You'll need:

* 1/4 cup distilled water
* 1/4 cup vodka
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 3 to 5 drops tea tree oil
* 3 to 5 drops lemon essential oil

Shabby Foot Scrub
A nourishing, feel-good scrub for dry feet.

Got rough, dry feet? SpaGirls to the rescue! This little ditty uses ground walnuts to remove your dead skin cells and replenish your skin moisture. And as a bonus, the caster and olive oil in will enhance your nail flexibility, leaving them less prone to chipping and breaking.
Here's what you do:

Coarsely grind walnuts in blender or coffee grinder. Add olive oil, castor oil and honey. Vigorously rub hands and feet with the paste. Rinse with warm water.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup shelled walnuts
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon castor oil
* 1 teaspoon honey

DIY beauty - hand

Hands Down Sugar Rub
A moisturizing sugar scrub for soft, pretty hands.

From cleaning and cooking, to plucking away on our computer keyboards or prying out gum stuck to the bottom our shoes, our hands take a beating. Give them some TLC with this easy recipe. The sugar cleanses and stimulates circulation, apricot oil moisturizes and lemon whitens and conditions nails.
Here's what you do:

Combine sugar, oil and juice from the lemon. Massage mixture onto clean hands, nails and wrists. Rinse, dry and follow with a hand lotion.
You'll need:

* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons apricot oil
* 1/2 lemon

Sunny Side Hand Conditioner
Relief for dry hands.

This citrus-spiked hand oil replenishes moisture in parched, overly dry hands. Keep it next to the kitchen sink and rub onto knuckles frequently!
Here's what you do:

Shake the oils together thoroughly in small glass jar with tight-fitting lid. Massage small amount onto tops of hands and cuticles. For an overnight treatment, slather on oil and cover hands in cotton socks.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (organic preferably)
* 5 to 7 drops orange essential oil

Got Buttermilk Hand Soak
Soften hands with this sour concoction.

My secret to tasty, juicy grilled chicken is buttermilk. Pour it over raw chicken breasts and let them soak for a few hours before you throw them on the grill. Mmm, mmm! Problem is, what you do with the leftover buttermilk? Drink it? Ick! Here's a better option: Soak in it. The lactic acid in the buttermilk gently lifts dead skin while the milk fats condition.
Here's what you do:

Combine ingredients and soak hands in mixture for about 15 minutes. Rinse, dry and follow with a hand lotion.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup buttermilk
* 1/2 cup warm water
* 1 teaspoon olive oil

Finger Food Mask
A hand mask for the masses.

The vitamins and rich emollients found in bananas and butter make for a perfect mask to sooth those dry hands. And it's almost good enough to eat (but we wouldn't recommend it)!
Here's what you do:

Mash the banana and mix in the butter. Rub the mixture into your hands. Relax for 10 minutes. Rinse, dry and follow with a hand lotion.
You'll need:

* One ripe banana
* 1 teaspoon room-temperature butter

DIY beauty - lip

Coconut Lip Balm
Zap dry lips with this hydrating balm.

A coconut oil base with soothing chickweed herb helps to counteract chapped lips.
Here's what you do:

Heat the coconut oil in a small bowl over the hot water. Add the tincture and stir. Place the flowers in the bottom of a small clear glass jar, pour the oil on tap and leave in a cool place to set. Apply to the lips.

You'll need:

* 2 tablespoons coconut oil
* 1 teaspoon chickweed tincture
* chickweed flowers to decorate

Peanut oil for dry lips.

It is the peanut oil in this lip salve that is so moisturizing. In addition, the raspberry leaves have an astringent property that is particularly good for cracked, dry lips. Use the salve within three months.
Here's what you do:

Place the leaves in a saucepan and cover with a little hot water. Leave to infuse for three hours. Heat the beeswax in a small bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. As it melts, add the peanut oil and mix thoroughly. Strain the infusion and leave the liquid to cool. Add sufficient infusion liquid to the beeswax to achieve a thin paste. Store in the refrigerator in a screw-top jar. Dap the salve onto your lips with a fingertip.

You'll need:

* 8 teaspoons raspberry leaves
* 2 tablespoons beeswax
* 2 teaspoons peanut oil

A tasty, soothing lip treat.

Want your say? Well keep a lid on it until you've balmed up with a little bit of this homemade lip balm!
Here's what you do:

Combine almond oil and beeswax beads and melt in microwave. Stir with spoon, and when cooled a bit, add essential or flavoring oil. Pour into lip balm jars, and when cool, label.
You'll need:

* 1/2 ounce beeswax beads (refined)
* 4 ounces sweet almond oil
* 2 teaspoons essential oil or food flavoring oil (pick out a tasty scent like tangerine or sweet orange)

Avocado (dry skin) facial mask

Tips for Home Spa Treatments : Homemade Avocado Facial Mask: Relaxing & Healing Facial Masks -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

DIY beauty-face

Pineapple Power Mask
Pineapple enzymes to the rescue for dull, congested skin.

There's nothing like a fresh, juicy pineapple. You can grill it, toss a few chunks in a salad and plop a slice in a fruity cocktail. Oh, and you can make a heavenly mask out of it too. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which lifts dead skin cells and debris from clinging to your pretty face. Try this mask when your skin looks dull and lackluster.
Here's what you do:

Mix ingredients in blender until smooth. Apply a thin layer to face. Lay back and think tropical thoughts for 5 to 10 minutes.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
* 3 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil


Hunky Chunk Splash

A cooling after-treatment splash for sensitive skin.

Chunks of fresh cucumber blended with witch hazel and essential oils, make a cooling aftershave splash for your guy's sensitive skin.
Here's what you do:

Mix the water and cucumber in a food processor or blender. Pour the mixture into a bowl through a strainer. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Pour into an air-tight bottle and use for up to one month.
You'll need:

* 1/2 cup distilled water
* 1/2 cup thoroughly washed unpeeled cucumber cut into small chunks
* 1/2 cup witch hazel
* 1 tablespoon apricot kernel oil
* 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil


Mean Green Moisture Mask
A refreshing, light mask for a hot summer day.

Baby it's hot outside. So hot it gives you the chills. No matter where in the country you are, summer heat can zap your skin of moisture and for those of us in arid climates, the results can be disastrous. For a surge of moisture with a cooling summer twist, try this cucumber and honey mask. Cukes are composed mostly of water but also contain Vitamins C and A and a mineral called silica that helps build connective tissue. Honey is a humectant, meaning it promotes water retention. Together, the pair offers a powerful hydrating punch to feed parched skin.
Here's what you do:

Puree the cucumber and a few drops of filtered water in a food processor until smooth. Strain the extra juice for at least 1 minute, transfer to a bowl and mix in a spoonful of honey. Let the concoction cool in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes and apply to a clean face and neck. Plop down in a comfy chair, slap thin cucumber slices over your eyes and think cool thoughts for about 15 minutes. Rinse and follow with moisturizer.
You'll need:

* one peeled and seeded cucumber
* organic honey


Berry Me Away Mask

A soothing strawberry facial mask that packs a mighty punch.

Perfect for the gal on the go! This easy, three-in-one mask whisks away dirt and dead skin cells while delivering skin-softening botanicals.
Here's what you do:

Combine ingredients in a blender or food processor. Gently massage onto face and neck. Leave on for 3 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and follow with a splash of cool water and your favorite moisturizer.
You'll need:

* 1 cup fresh strawberries
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1 egg
* 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
* 1/4 cup almonds


Monster Mash Pumpkin Mask

Pumpkin is the active ingredient to cleanse your inner monster.

Packed with vitamins and anti-aging properties, pumpkins contain enzymes that when applied to skin, loosen the bonds that keep yucky dull outer skin cells clinging to the surface. Pumpkin also delivers a burst of nourishing and hydrating botanicals, leaving skin as smooth and glowing as a jack-o'-lantern.
Here's what you do:

Mash ingredients together in a bowl. Apply the mask to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water over a kitchen sink (this mask may be too thick for your bathroom sink). Finish up with your favorite facial moisturizer.

This recipe makes a lot and is best used within the week you make it. So go crazy with it! Smear it on your hands and feet and wrap them in plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Or, invite the girls over for a pumpkin beauty bash.
You'll need:

* 1 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin (organic if possible)
* 1 heaping tablespoon of honey


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Bohemian Oatmeal Masque

This one's a must to purify and revive skin!

The definition of Bohemian is a person, usually an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices. We think anyone willing to smoother their face in oatmeal, egg and honey qualifies as a Bohemian too! Oatmeal is mild, soothing and acts as gentle exfoliator while the egg white tightens the skin and the honey draws in moisture.
Here's what you do:

Mix until you have a thick paste. Apply to clean skin and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and finish with a splash of cool water and a bit of your regular moisturizer.
You'll need:

* 2 tablespoons dry oatmeal
* 2 teaspoon honey
* 1 egg white

Comin' Up Roses
Honey and sweet oils nourish dry skin.

Treat dry skin with a surge of sweetness straight from the source. Honey combined with rose oil is an effective and gentle treatment for wrinkles and puffiness.
Here's what you do:

Combine honey, almond oil and rose oil. Apply to clean face and neck and relax for about 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.
You'll need:

* 2 tablespoons honey
* 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
* 3 to 5 drops rose essential oil

Blackhead Buster
Acne-busting parsley soothes breakouts.

Old-fashioned potato salad just isn't the same without a snip of fresh parsley. But what you do with a whole bunch of parsley when only need a snip? Use it clear your pores of course. Parsley has natural cleansing and softening properties that help naturally dislodge blackheads.
Here's what you do:

Wash parsley thoroughly and process in a blender or food processor just until smooth. Prepare a facial steam by bringing a pot of water to a boil, removing it from the heat and allowing it to cool slightly. Apply the green gunk to a clean face, focusing on areas prone to blackheads like forehead, hairline and nose. Drape a towel over the pot and steam your skin over the pot for about 5 minutes. Rinse off the mixture and use an exfoliating facial scrub to gently break up dead skin cells and dislodge blackheads.
You'll need:

* A fistful of fresh parsley

Cool as a Cuke Toner
A refreshing toner for soothing sensitive skin.

The refreshing, gently astringent qualities of cucumber make this a perfect toner for the delicate skin around the eyes. Store in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator.
Here's what you do:

Cut the cucumber into thick chunks and puree them in a blender or food processor until liquefied. Pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the juice and ditching the pulp and seeds. Combine the witch hazel and cucumber juice. Soak a cotton ball with the mixture and gently blot face and eye area.
You'll need:

* 1 small cucumber
* 1/4 cup witch hazel

Game Face Mask
French green clay soaks up oil in this facial mask.

Clay can soak up the yuck like nothing else. French green clay, which doesn't necessarily have to come from France, is highly efficient at drawing oils and toxins from the skin. It's also rich in minerals and phytonutrients. Mix up only enough for one use. Great for guy's skin!
Here's what you do:

Wet the clay with a small amount of warm, distilled water. When thick and creamy, mix in the oil. Apply to clean skin and allow to dry about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a moisturizer.
You'll need:

* 2 tablespoons French green clay
* 2 drops of tea tree oil

Thanksgiving Green Bean Mask
A mask that calls on the power of green to revive your complexion.

Don't know what to do with those Thanksgiving leftovers? This quick concoction will give you the smoothest skin in just minutes! The lactic acid in sour cream helps soften and remove dead skin cells. And the green beans ... well, everything green is good, right? Actually, the texture of the green beans also works as a gentle exfoliator to remove dead surface cells and residue.
Here's what you do:

Using your handy microwave, cook beans in a small amount of water. Puree the beans and then mix them with sour cream. Apply mask to face and then relax for 10 minutes. Gently rinse off mask. And wa la – silky soft skin!
You'll need:

* handful of green beans
* teaspoon of sour cream

Egg on Your Face Mask

An oil-absorbing mask for a happy complexion.

For a firming date night face treatment, you can't go wrong with the power of egg on your face.
Here's what you do:

Whip egg white and lemon juice together until blended. Apply to face, avoiding the eye area, and let mask dry for about 15 minutes. Rinse and follow with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.
You'll need:

* 1 egg white
* juice of 1/2 lemon

Poker Face Peel
Oily skin buster.

This concoction is great for oily skin. Believe it or not, sour cream, rich in lactic acid will soften and remove dead skin cells. Give it a try!
Here's what you do:

Beat egg white until fluffy, add other ingredients and blend well. Apply and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
You'll need:

* 1 teaspoon grapefruit juice
* 1 teaspoon sour cream
* 1 egg white

Ginger Oil-Buster Mask
A treatment for over-oily skin.

Here's a great one for oily skin! In this recipe, buckwheat will cleanse and purify your skin. The ginger warms your skin, and might create a tingly and stimulated feeling. We love this mask, but please take caution as we do not recommend it for sensitive skin.
Here's what you do:

Mix ingredients. Massage gently onto the face. Relax for five minutes and rinse.
You'll need:

* 1 1/2 tablespoons buckwheat (soba) flour
* 1 1/2 tablespoons spring water
* 1 drop essential oil of ginger
* 1 drop essential oil of sandalwood

Honey (I Need a) Banana Split Mask
Bananas and oatmeal team up to unveil pretty skin.

This is a good mask for sensitive and dry skin. Oatmeal gently cleanses and heals, bananas infuse vitamin A, eggs offer lecithin as a natural skin emollient and honey maintains the natural acid you need for balanced PH.
Here's what you do:

Mix ingredients. Massage onto face in a slow, circular motion. Relax for 15 minutes. Rinse.
You'll need:

* 1/2 mashed banana
* 1/4 cup oatmeal
* cooked with milk
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tablespoon honey