Homemade Toners

by Denise Perez

Cucumber Toner (for all skin types)

The main purpose of a toner is to remove the last traces of cleanser from your face.  This toner can be modified for dry or oily skin.  A good toner should not be so astringent that it dries skin.  Never use straight rubbing alcohol as a toner (not even on oily skin); it is too harsh.

1/2 cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
1/3 cup water

In blender or food processor, liquefy cucumber.  To remove seeds, strain blended cucumber through a sieve or some cheesecloth into a bowl.  Mix cucumber juice with water in a bottle.  After cleansing but before applying moisturizer, apply the toner with cotton pads or cotton balls, and don't rinse off.  Refrigerate toner for up to a week.  (For oily skin, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice; for dry skin, add a few drops of olive oil.)

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner (for all skin types)

1/2 to 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2 cups water

Stir vinegar into water in the bottle.  After cleansing to remove makeup, saturate cotton pads or cotton balls with toner and wipe your face.  You may store this toner in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. (Witch hazel straight from the bottle also makes a good, gentle toner.)

Basic Body Lotion for all Skin Types

 by Denise Perez

1 cucumber, peeled and chunked
1/4 cup barely warm chamomile tea
2 Tablespoons glycerin

In blender or food processor, liquefy cucumber.  To remove seeds, strain through the sieve into the bowl.  Add tea to cucumber juice, along with glycerin, stirring well.  When mixture is cool, bottle and refrigerate.  Apply to skin after a bath or shower.  Don't rinse off.

More dry skin relief:  Pure safflower margarine, good quality mayonnaise, and olive, safflower or avocado oils make excellent moisturizers for dry skin.  The margarine and olive oil are especially easy for skin to absorb.

Super-Rich Facial Moisturizer for Dry Skin

by Denise Perez

The purest, simplest oils make the best moisturizers.  Try this if your facial skin is dry this winter!

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon corn oil

1 teaspoon almond oil

2 teaspoons water

Mix all ingredients in a jar.  Refrigerate to solidify.  Allow to soften a bit at room temperature before applying with fingertips to dry areas.

Homemade Face Scrubs

by Denise Perez

For Oily Skin:  Sugar Scrub

The purpose of any facial scrubbing agent is to slough off dead cells that make skin look dull and flaky.  For oily skin, the sloughing agent should also help control oil buildup and clogged pores.  Although several other gentle abrasives work well, sugar in this formula has an antibacterial effect--a plus for acne-prone skin.  Make scrubs and masks just before using, and use a light touch when applying to your face.  Note:  Do not apply this or any other scrub to acne-inflamed areas.  It will only worsen the condition.  Do not use any scrub more often than every other day.

          1 tablespoon white sugar
          1 teaspoon tepid water

With sugar in the palm of your hand, add water drop by drop to make a paste.  Using your fingertips, gently massage the scrub over your ace and neck, avoiding the eye area.  Rinse well with warm and then cool water.


For Normal to Dry Skin:  Honey-Almond Scrub/Mask


The almond meal in this formula very gently removes dead cells while the honey acts as a natural humectant, or moisture trapper.

          1 tablespoon unsalted, unroasted almonds
          1 tablespoon honey
          1 egg white

In the blender or food processor, grind almonds into a fine meal, stopping short of pulverizing them into powder.  In a bowl, mix almond meal with honey and egg white.  Apply the mixture to your face and neck with your fingertips, massaging gently in a circular motion.  Let set for 15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Avocado makes a wonderful mask for normal to dry skin.  When peeling an avocado, leave a little of the fruit on the inside of the avocado skin.  Then rub the inside of the peel over your face.  The gritty texture of the peel sloughs dead skin while the fruit you leave behind moisturizes.  Allow the mask to set for 10 minutes.  Rinse with cool water.

Natural Beauty Tips: Facial Steamer

by Denise Perez

Steaming your face opens pores so that trapped dirt can be washed away.  In an herbal facial steamer, steam does all the work; the herbs add a pleasurable scent--good for your mood as well as your skin.  Good herbs to use include fresh mint, lavender, and rosemary.  Be sure to wash your face and remove makeup before steaming.  For extra moisturizing, apply petroleum jelly to your lips.  Use about once a week.

Facial Steamer (1 treatment):
1/4 cup (or handful) dried chamomile flowers or 3 bags of   chamomile tea
1 pint boiling water.

Place a bowl on top of a towel-covered surface in a place where you can sit comfortably.  Place chamomile in the bowl and pour boiling water over it.  Using a second towel as a tent over your head, steam your face about 1 foot from the water.  The towel tent traps steam; if it gets to hot, allow some steam to escape.  Keep your eyes closed and inhale the herbal scent.  Steam your face for about 10 minutes.

Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap!

To find out how to make homemade foaming soap (easy, easy, easy!!) for a small fraction of the price of the ready-made stuff (and works just as well!), click here to go to my money-saving blog, Lovin' the $avings. :)
Laurie

Grocery Savings--week of 12/5

Here are just a very few of the best deals at Target and Meijer this week, with links to more savings. :)
Lovin' the Savings