Homemade Skin Care

Yeah, I might have chicken poop on my pants and dirt in my hair from working in the garden, but I still want to have lovely, glowing skin!

In the United States, women spend an average of $100 a month on beauty products.  The fact is, there are simple, just as effective products that can be made at home for a fraction of the cost.  As long as the skin is properly cared for on a daily basis, most of us need not look further than our own kitchen pantries and gardens for skin care.  Today, I would like to share three of my favorite homemade skin recipes.

Daily Skin Routine

Before I get into the recipes, I'd like to explain my skin care routine.  There are three important steps to keeping clear and healthy skin:  cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.  The purpose of cleansing the skin is to remove makeup and the dirt, oils, and dead skin that accumulates during the day.  After cleansing, a toner applied to the skin will remove anything that the cleanser missed, tighten pores, and correct the skin's pH.  And finally, the moisturizer serves to keep the skin hydrated.

I will normally cleanse, tone, and moisturize my skin at night before bed.  In the morning, I skip cleansing, and just rinse my face with water, still applying my toner and moisturizer after.  However, depending on your skin type, you may need to adjust your routine so the skin does not dry out or become to oily.  Experiment and see what works best.

Of course, there are other factors that can affect your skin's appearance, including sun exposure, diet, and smoking.  Taking care of your body in addition to having a daily skin routine is the way to go!

Using the Skin Care Recipes

It is also helpful to know what your skin type is when considering you facial care routine.  The recipes that I am sharing are for normal skin.  If you have very dry or oily skin, you may want to adjust the ingredients in these recipes.  For example, the facial cleanser's main ingredient is white clay.  For those who have very dry skin, white clay could make it worse.  In that case, the amount of clay should be reduced or eliminated entirely.

Homemade Herbal Facial Cleanser

Ingredients and Supplies:

Jar or Container
Mortar and Pestle or Coffee Grinder (to grind oatmeal and herbs)

1/2 Cup finely ground White Clay
1/3 Cup finely ground Oatmeal or Oat Flour
1 Tablespoon finely ground Lavender buds
1 Tablespoon finley ground Calendula petals
5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil (optional)

Place clay, oatmeal, and herbs in a jar (a funnel will be helpful if you're using a jar).

Close tightly and shake well.  Remove 1 Tablespoon of the cleanser to a mortar and pestle. 

Add the essential oil and grind well to mix.  Add the Tablespoon of cleanser back to the jar and shake well.  This cleanser should keep for up to a year in your bathroom, as long as it is kept tightly closed, and moisture is not allowed to enter the container.

To Use:  Place one teaspoon of cleanser in your palm or small bowl, and carefully add a small amount of water to form a paste (about one teaspoon).  Apply to face and throat, and massage in upward, circular motions for about a minute.  Rinse well and pat face dry.

This cleanser doubles as a facial mask:  Instead of rinsing, after massaging it on the face, leave it on for up to 20 minutes, and then rinse.

Homemade Herbal Toner

Ingredients:

2 ounces Calendula tincture
1 ounce Witch Hazel extract
1 ounce water

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.

To Use:  Shake before using.  Spray a couple shots into the palm of your hand.  Pat hands together and gently apply to the face and throat.  Allow to dry a minute before applying moisturizer.

Homemade Moisturizer

1/4 Cup water
1 teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin or Almond Oil
2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Combine all ingredients in a small squeeze bottle and shake well.

To Use:  Shake well before using.  Squirt a small amount into the palm of your hand (maybe 1/4 teaspoon), and gently rub palms together to get the moisturizer on both hands.  Pat face and throat with moisturizer.