Before I got pregnant with our first son, I started learning everything I could about minimizing my exposure to toxins. I’ve written many times about how I use baking soda, vinegar, water, and hydrogen peroxide to clean our house. We don’t have any synthetic fragrances in the house (no air “fresheners”, no perfumes, etc. And a few years ago, I went through everything in our bathroom and got rid of nearly all of it. Nail polishes, makeup, lotions, conventional shampoos and conditioners – anything that had an ingredient label that read like a giant chemistry experiment was no longer allowed. These days, I use Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap to wash my face, and moisturize with coconut oil or a capsule of vitamin E. But for people who want a bit more variety in their facial routine, there are lots of ways to make your own facial cleansers using ingredients you can get at the grocery store. Here’s a guest post with some ideas…
Say goodbye to expensive facial cleansers and scrubs and create your own at home! Commercial skin care products are often too pricey for the average consumer–it’s never easy trying to justify the purchase of a teeny tiny jar with a jumbo price tag. Making your own face-care products is simple and cheap, and most of the items you will need to make them can be found right in your kitchen. The natural ingredients in your homemade products will leave your face feeling fresh and rejuvenated, and they are safe on even the most sensitive of skin types.
Aromatherapy Cleansers
You can make a gentle aromatherapy cleanser for dry skin by blending 1/4 cup of sweet almond oil with 9 drops of lavender oil and 9 drops of sandalwood oil. Once mixed, use a funnel to pour it into a dark colored glass bottle. For oily skin types, blend 1/4 cup jojoba oil with 9 drops of tea tree oil and 9 drops of rosemary oil. If your skin is neither dry nor oily (normal), mix 1/4 cup of olive oil with 9 drops of geranium oil and 9 drops of bergamot oil. To use, simply apply a small amount of the oil all over the face, and rinse well with cool water.
Sugar Cleanser
Sugar is an excellent ingredient to use in facial cleansers. It gently exfoliates the skin and the granules melt away when combined with soap and water. You can make sugar cleanser with either brown or white sugar–just mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon of liquid Castile soap and it’s ready to use!
Honey Cleanser
Honey is highly beneficial to the skin, especially when used on dry skin types. Honey cleanser can be made by combining 1/4 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of glycerin, and 1 tablespoon of liquid Castile soap. Once the ingredients are well blended, use 1 teaspoon to gently wash the face. Store the cleanser in a small jar or bottle for future use.
Aloe Vera Cleanser
This cleanser is so easy to make, and it’s wonderful to use in the hot summer months after long days in the sun! All you need to do is mix 1/4 cup of Aloe Vera gel with 2 tablespoons of whole milk. Be sure to store this cleanser in the refrigerator to prevent the milk from spoiling.
Strawberry Cleanser
Strawberries are naturally high in Vitamins A & C. They’re a sweet choice when it comes to making cleansers. To make a fresh strawberry facial wash, blend 9 strawberries, 2 tablespoons of almond oil, and ¼ cup of witch hazel in the blender. Pour the finished cleanser into a glass jar or plastic container and store it in the refrigerator. You only need 1 to 2 teaspoons per wash.
Oatmeal Scrub
Old-fashioned oatmeal is not only good for exfoliating, it prevents blackheads as well. It’s inexpensive and a must-have ingredient if you want to make your own scrubs. To make a simple oatmeal facial scrub, grind equal parts of oatmeal and brown sugar in a coffee grinder or food processor until you have a soft powder. To use, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons with your cleanser and gently massage into your skin.
Rose Petal Scrub
You can make a lovely rose petal scrub by combining 1/4 cup of oatmeal, 1/4 cup of almond slices, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons of dried rose petals in a food processor. Once a fine powder is formed, pour it into a clean container. To use, mix 2 teaspoons of the powder with warm water and apply it to the face in soft, circular motions. Rinse well with cool water.
Almond Scrub
To make a scrub that is especially beneficial for oily skin types, grind almonds in a coffee grinder and measure out 1 tablespoon. To that, add 1/2 teaspoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of chamomile tea (let the tea steep for 30 minutes before measuring out the tablespoon), and 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil. Ready, set, scrub!
Now that you have learned some basic recipes for homemade facial scrubs and cleansers, indulge yourself! You can experience the luxury of spa-worthy products at home without spending a fortune. And you’ll have the added benefit of knowing exactly what goes into the cleansers and scrubs that are making your skin glow.
Guest post from Bailey Harris, who writes about homeowners insurance quotes for www.homeownersinsurance.org.
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