Olive oil, coconut, mayonnaise, eggs, yogurt, honey, oatmeal, and fruits – these are probably all in your kitchen, and it takes a little time and imagination to use them as your skin care products.
Face cleansers
Honey
Rub honey onto your face with smooth circular movements. Dip your fingers in hot water and repeat. The warm water helps soften the skin and helps shift embedded dirt and dead skin cells. Massage for a few minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
Sweet Almond Oil or Wheatgerm Oil
These are effective cleansers, for all skin types. Just massage gently on your face, then remove with a damp cloth.
Yogurt and Grated Orange Peel
- 4 tablespoons yogurt
- 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
Yogurt can act as an exfoliant, while the orange peel removes dirt and oil. Mix the yogurt and grated orange peel together. Massage into skin for minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Face Scrubs and Masks
Ripe Papaya
Slice large pieces of the papaya and remove the skin. Cleanse your face then rub the fleshy inside part over your face and neck for a couple of minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry. The enzyme found in papaya, literally dissolves keratin – which is the hardened protein found in dead skin cells.
Honey and Sugar
Mix equal amounts of honey and sugar. Apply to face and neck, then rub gently in a circular motion. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Oatmeal and Yogurt Mix
- 2 tablespoons oatmeal
- 4 tablespoons yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Mix all ingredients into a paste. Gently apply to skin, leave on for five minutes, and rinse with cold water. Air your face out to dry.
Oatmeal and Apple Concoction
- 1 tablespoon finely ground oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- ½ freshly grated apple
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Mix the oatmeal and yogurt to a paste then add the apple and lemon juice and stir well. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat the skin dry.
Oatmeal and Fruit
- ½ cup soaked oatmeal
- ¼ mango for normal skin
- Strawberries for oily skin
- ¼ avocado for dry skin
Soak oatmeal in a bowl. Mash in the mango, strawberries, or avocado – depending on your skin type. Mix together to form a paste. Leave on for five minutes then rinse.
Face Moisturizers
Carrot Oil
Carrot oil can be used as a moisturizer by itself. Add it to your night-time moisturizer for an extra rich boost. You can also add it to oatmeal for an effective scrub.
Avocado Oil
Avocado flesh contains 50% oil. It is one of the best natural oils for soothing very dry skin. Just pulp it up and put it on.
Egg and Lemon Mix
- 1 beaten egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Combine egg yolk and lemon juice. Stir with a wire whisk, gradually adding olive oil and vegetable oil until mixture thickens. Use mixture as a basic cold cream or moisturizer.
Yogurt and Honey
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
Mix all ingredients to a smooth paste and apply to clean, dry skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat face dry. This rich moisturizing mask is also useful for treating dry hands.
Hair Care
Egg
For dry hair, separate an egg, beat the yolk and white separately, then fold together and massage into hair. Leave on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Eggs and Vinegar
- 2 eggs
- ½ pint warm water
- ½ pint cool water
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
For dandruff, beat two egg yolks into warm water. Massage into scalp, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse. Rinse again with vinegar in cool water.
Beer
- 1 cup flat beer
- 3 cups water
For flat hair, dilute flat beer with water and wash hair. Rinse thoroughly.
Bananas
To add body to your hair, make a paste with mashed bananas – enough to cover your hair. Aply it to damp hair, leave for 15 minutes, then shampoo out.
Mayonnaise Wrap
Head mayonnaise and apply to dry unwashed hair. Cover hair with plastic and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse and shampoo thoroughly
Body Care
Oatmeal
Add porridge oat flakes to a warm bath to soften the water and moisturize the skin. Tie the flakes inside a cloth, if you don’t want to sit in them. Oatmeal is excellent for treating over-dry, irritated or sensitive skin.
Olive Oil and Lemon
- 1 lemon
- 2 parts rock salt
- 1 part olive oil
Mix the juice from one lemon with salt and olive oil to make a paste. Step in the shower and massage onto your body. Shower and rinse. Pat dry and apply a rich moisturizer.
Foot Care
Vinegar and Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 tub yogurt
Stir the vinegar into the yogurt and rub over the feet and between the toes. Leave on for five minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Vinegar
- Vinegar
- Lemon wedges
- Cotton
For athlete’s foot, soak cotton wool in vinegar and rub in with lemon wedges between the toes. Rinse thoroughly with water
Eye Care
Tea Bags (use strong teas)
Rinse the tea bags under the tap. Put them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then onto your eyes for 20 minutes. This will reduce puffiness and make your eyes feel fresh and rested.
