Natural recipes for beauty and skin care

ACNE REMEDY

2 to 3 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 C. boiling water

Steep basil leaves in water for 10 to 20 minutes. Cool and apply to face with a white cotton ball.


AGING SKIN FIGHTER

2 tsp. plain yogurt
1/2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
3 capsules vitamin E
(equivalent of 300 units)

Combine yogurt, honey and lemon juice. Open the vitamin E capsules and fold contents into the mix. Leave on skin for 15 minutes.


All Butter Lotion Bars

2 oz. cocoa butter
2 oz. beeswax
2 oz. Shea butter


All Facial Mask For Dry Skin

The avocado in this mask provides extra richness, vitamins and moisture. This recipe yields one thick application to face and neck area. If you wish to use less, give your hands a treat by applying the leftovers to your hands and covering with plastic bags while you rest. This mask should be used immediately and leftovers should be discarded quickly.

1 egg yolk
1 small avocado
1/2 banana
2 teaspoons carrot juice
2-3 teaspoons white clay
1 drop rose essential oil

Mash avocado and banana with the back of a fork until they forma thick, creamy mixture. Stir in egg yolk to combine. Add carrot juice and mix will. Add 1 teaspoon of clay and mix well. If mixture is a bit runny, add more clay. Stir the mixture until a smooth paste forms. Add the essential oil last and stir to incorporate. To use, apply a layer to clean face and neck avoiding eyes. Rest for about 10 minutes (longer if you'd like). Rinse well with warm water and follow with toner and moisturizer. The shelf life of this product is limited by the fresh ingredients. It should be used immediately after it is made.


ALMOND-BUTTER HAND SOFTENER

1 T. almond oil
1 C. butter

Mix well. Before bed, massage mixture into hands, then cover with white cotton gloves. Wear all night while sleeping.


Almond Cleanser

Grind almonds to a fine powder in a blender. Wet face then rub on almond powder. Rinse. Store powder in a tightly sealed container.


ALMOND-HONEY SCRUB

2 T. crushed almonds
1 T. honey

Mix. Leave on face for 5 minutes. Rub in well, then rinse.


ALMOND-MAYONNAISE SCRUB

(for very dry skin)
1/4 C. almonds
1/8 tsp. mayonnaise

Grind almonds in blender until they form a meal. Whirl in mayonnaise. Vinegar-Rinse your skin. Rub in Scrub gently and thoroughly. Leave on skin for about 10 minutes. Rinse off and follow with Vinegar Rinse.


Almond Orange Body Lotion

1/8 tsp. borax powder
1/2 c. almond oil
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. grated beeswax
2 tbsp honey.
3-4 drops essential orange oil

Make as for Mint Body Lotion


Almond Oil Wrinkle Cream

1 tbs. of an infusion of comfrey leaves... OR...
1 tbs. of a decoction of comfrey roots (see below)
1 tbs. lanolin
2 tsp. sweet almond oil
2 tsp. water
2 tsp. cod liver oil

Melt lanolin and almond oil in a double boiler. Add water and allow to cool. Mix in cod liver oil and comfrey. Apply gently to face and rinse off after 5 to 10 minutes. This is a rich moisturizer that boosts the water-holding capacity of your skin and helps plump out wrinkled areas.


Almond Rosewater Body Lotion

1/4 cup rosewater (can be purchased at some health food stores or pharmacies, also carried at most middle-eastern or indian specialty groceries or specialty cooking stores such as Williams-Sonoma... OR... you can try your hand at making your own rosewater, see recipe below)

1/4 cup glycerin
2 tbs. witch hazel
1 tbs. almond oil

Mix together rosewater and glycerin. Add witch hazel and almond oil. Stir completely to dissolve. Pour into a pretty bottle.

Recipe for rosewater: To prepare rosewater, first gather fresh rose blossoms; do this during the morning, after the dew has evaporated. Place the petals in a glass, stainless steel, or enamel saucepan and cover them with distilled water. Weigh the floating petals down with a heat-resistant glass dish. Place the pan over low heat and allow the pot to release steam for at least an hour. You should begin to see drops of rose oil floating on the surface of the water. Do not allow the water to boil. When the water has taken on a rosy hue, feels thick and soft, and shows evidence of rose oil on its surface, strain the liquid through a tea strainer, using your fingers to press all the liquid from the petals. Store in refrigerator. Rosewater may be used as a skin toner; just apply to the face with a cotton ball. Important Notes: NEVER use rose petals that have been sprayed with any kind of pesticide for making rosewater!! Consider using only enough distilled water to cover the rose petals. Otherwise, the solution becomes more dilute. Please remember to
use only the petals, not the sepals, stamens, or green foliated bracket holding the petals in their grouping.


Aloe Soap Balls

4 ounces grated Castile Soap
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 1/2 tablespoons rosewater
30 drops evening primrose oil
6 drops tangerine essential oil
4 drops juniper essential oil

Mix grated soap with evening primrose oil, aloe and rosewater. Cover and let sit overnight. Put in a food processor and mix well while adding essential oils. Wet your hands and form the mixture into balls. Place on wax paper to dry.


Amaze Body Mist

2 cups distilled water
3 tbs. vodka
5 drops hypericum perforatum essential oil
10 drops cypress essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake well. Allow to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.


Angel Cream

Add some glittery eye shadow all crunched up to a small amount of hand cream. Add to a small jar and decorate. Add poem. Rub a small amount on the back of a child's hand before going to bed to attract angels to watch over them in the night.


Anti Toxin Scrub

Mash 1/2 punnet of Strawberries
Add 4 Tbsp rice flour

Mix ingredients together. Apply to face, very lightly scrubbing in circular movements. Don't leave on face for longer than 5-10 minutes. Moisturize with
natural plant oil. Rinse well. Store in fridge.


Apple Cucumber Facial Mask

1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon apple mint leaves
1 drop lime essential oil

Combine all 5 ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the essential oil last and mix well. Refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes. Apply a layer to your clean face and neck area and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Apple Cucumber Facial Mask is best when used immediately as the ingredients are perishable. The leftovers can be refrigerated in the coldest section of the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days but should be discarded after that


Apple Hair Rinse

1 large apple, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups water

Mix together all ingredients in a blender or food processor set on "High. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a clean container, discarding all solids. To use: Pour over your hair after shampooing as a final rinse. Massage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with cool water. Yield: 16 ounces, enough for one rinse


Apple Mask

1 Apple, cored, quartered
2 TBSP. Honey
1/2 tsp. sage