Self Magazine’s May 2010 issue has a few sections focusing on beauty. The one that caught my eye most besides the beauty awards was the article titled “Do it yourself: Natural Beauty.” This article features three different “recipes” for natural skin care treatments/masks to help you achieve a clear complexion, smooth skin, and/or healthy glow. I’m going to post them below just in case you’re not able to get your hands on the May 2010 issue of Self.
***Remember: before applying anything new to your skin, dab a small amount on the inside of your wrist; leave it for a minute or two. If you see any redness or feel stinging after 20 minutes, do not continue with the product/treatment.
A Clear Complexion With Citrus
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon of Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit)
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
Instructions: Combine citrus juice with baking soda and watch it fizz. Stir Until bubbling lessens, apply, and leave on for 20 minutes, rinse off.
Benefits: Citrus fruit “is composed of alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate and brighten skin, and help keep pores clean.” – Jeannette Graf, M.D. assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. Baking soda is mildly acidic, and gently sloughs away dead skin cells in minutes.
Tester Tip: This mask tingles, especially on sensitive areas like the nose and lip line, but hang in there – sensation subsides after about 5 minutes. The mask dries out & flakes if you talk. Enjoy some quiet time.
Smooth Skin with Salt
1 Cup of Fine Sea Salt
1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Sprigs of Rosemary
Instructions: Chop up rosemary leaves, then stir in all ingredients together. Standing in the shower, massage mixture into wet skin using upward circular motions, starting from your feet , to help rev blood flow.
Benefits: Sea salts graininess makes it an optimal body exfoliant, and its high mineral content mimics that of your own skin – magnesium, zinc and calcium are trace elements that are essential to maintain healthy, hydrated skin.
Olive oil has humectants that draw moisture into the skin and hydrators – omega-3 & -6 fatty acids – that leave skin supple, not greasy. Plus, it’s made up of tiny molecules, so skin can easily absorb it.
Rosemary Sprigs, because it’s an anti-inflammatory, rosemary quickly soothes skin – crucial when you’re scrubbing away skin’s top layer. Also, many studies show the herb contains powerful skin-protecting antioxidants.
Tester Tip: This recipe makes two applications. (Store leftovers in your shower in a closed container for up tot two months.)
A Dewy Glow with Honey
Ingredients:
1 Teaspoon of Raw Honey
1 Teaspoon of Aloe Vera Juice
Instructions: Combine raw honey and aloe; stir until completely blended. Use a clean, large makeup brush to paint on the mixture (it’s sticky!), wait 15 minutes and rinse.
Benefits: Raw honey grabs onto water creating a watertight film that locks in moisture, so skin looks healthy and youthful. It also fights breakouts; glucose heightens the skin’s natural bacteria -busting power.
Aloe is a proven healer that contains nearly 75 healthy-skin nutrients, allowing it to treat cuts, sunburn and even zits. Because of the plants humectant properties, its potent hydrators deliver moisture deep down to every layer of skin.
Tester Tip: Aloe feels cold even at room temperature, so this mask is deliciously cool. (Try it after a sweaty workout.) And because raw honey is very thick, you can even vacuum with the mask on & it won’t even drip.
