Natural Beauty

Pantry Potions that Top Cosmetic Counter Creams

Mar 1, 2009 Rica Lewis

Learn the secrets to a fabulous face, on a budget. You can create a custom beauty regimen using your very own pantry potions.

Take a trip to your drug store or cosmetic counter, and you will be bombarded with beauty products that boast anti-aging effects, and radiant results. But these products, though pretty in their packaging, can be pricey and irritating to sensitive skin. Sifting through the skin care options can feel like an exhausting expedition. But behold, the basic and most beneficial products may be hiding in your home.

To put your best face forward (literally), you should always cleanse the skin with a product that is specific to your skin type. You may opt for a gentle cleanser, or for acne prone skin, something mildly medicinal. After every wash be sure to moisturize.

Farm Fresh Finds

A soothing skin mask be can be scrambled in seconds. Just beat a few eggs in a bowl, using just the egg whites, and massage into your skin. Be careful to avoid the eye and mouth areas, and wash hands thoroughly after handling the raw eggs. After a few minutes the egg will dry, and you can wash your face. Notice the supple skin that emerges from this egg mask.

Exfoliating

Exfoliating is a great way to slough off those dead skin cells, and prime your face for other products such as makeup or moisturizers. To make your own scrub you can combine natural coarse ingredients with moist ingredients. The following are some options for coarse ingredients:

• Coffee grounds
• Ground almonds
• Sugar
• Sea salt, or other salt
• Oatmeal

Mix with moist ingredients such as:

• olive oil (rich in antioxidants)
• Lemon juice/ lime juice ( juices are natural astringents)
• Apple juice
• orange juice
• Honey (is effective for healing and maintaining moisture)

Eyes

Your eyes can tell a tale to the world- whether you are tired, stressed, or sad. But you can conceal a weighty week, or sleepless night with a few simple tricks using cucumbers or green tea.

Cucumbers

Before you sink your fork into your salad, sneak a few cukes from your plate. Sliced cucumbers can be cooling, and refreshing for your tired eyes. They can reduce swelling, and help diminish dark circles. Let a few sit on your lids as you soak in a hot bath.

Green Tea

You can reap the benefits of green tea in two ways: sipped, or soaked. Sip from your favorite mug, and ingest the antioxidants and polyphenol properties, or apply a moist tea bag to your skin, and soak up the advantages. Green tea can relieve redness and inflammation, making it an excellent elixir for acne. Use on eye lids for a calming effect.

There are many natural remedies that can be used to glean a youthful glow. Beauty doesn't have to be elusive or expensive. Don't overlook the essentials in your kitchen.

The copyright of the article Natural Beauty in Women’s Health is owned by Rica Lewis . Permission to republish Natural Beauty in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.