Whether your skin is oily, dry or somewhere in between, here are 10 simple but highly effective ideas for making your own cleansers, moisturisers and exfoliaters for softer, healthier skin.
Oats moisturise and exfoliate your skin at the same time. Grind 40g of rolled oats in a food processor or coffee grinder. Mix with 45g of ground sunflower seeds, ½ teaspoon of peppermint leaves and 4 tablespoons of ground almonds. Mix 2 teaspoons with a little thick cream.
Scrub your face and neck with the mixture, then rinse well with cool water.
Mix together 60ml of thick cream, ½ teaspoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of ripe, mashed avocado and 1 teaspoon of calendula petals. Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse. Avocado oil significantly increases the collagen content in skin, maintaining its youthful look. Not only does the oil in avocado act as emollient, the fruit also contains moisturising Vitamin E.
Use a spray of rose, sandalwood or bergamot essential oil mixed with water (note : all these oils are great for hydrating the skin!)
To create a herbal spray mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a small spray bottle and spritz on your face whenever your skin needs a little boost.
Your skin is more pliable when it’s hydrated, so a spray helps to stave off frown lines and general movement wrinkles. The hydrator also acts as a protection against pollutants and retains your skin’s natural lubricants.
Plus, if you apply make-up after a herbal spray, it will stay on for longer and look more natural.
The lactic acid in milk exfoliates dead skin cells and may also increase the skin’s ability to hold in moisture. Soak a face washer in cold milk. Lay the washer on any area of skin that is particularly dry or irritated. Leave it here for 5 minutes, then rinse off the milk gently, so that some of the lactic acid stays on your skin.
Sage helps to control oil, peppermint creates a cool tingle, and witch hazel helps to restore the skin’s protective layer. Witch hazel contains tannins, which have an astringent effect, making the pores tighten up as they dry.
Combine 100g of witch hazel with a teaspoon each of sage and peppermint leaves and steep for 1 to 3 days before application.
Mix 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt with few dashes of sesame oil. Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Mash a banana well and mix with a little honey. Apply the mask to you, face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off.
Add 1 tablespoon of peppermint, yarrow, sage or hyssop leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes, strain and cool before dabbing it on your face.
Add a teaspoon of grapeseed oil to your usual toner. The oil acts as an anti-ageing serum by helping your skin cells to repair and rejuvenate themselves.
Mash peeled mango flesh until it turns soft and pulpy. Then massage it into the skin and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.
To treat dry, rough, itchy skin, try adding these various combinations of ingredients to your bath and luxuriate in the warm water for 5 to 10 minutes :
– 225g of sea salt and 450g of sodium bicarbonate.
Bathe until the water is cool to detoxify your skin and soothe the itch.
– 250g of Epsom salts.
In addition to soaking in it, while your skin is still wet, rub handfuls of Epsom salts on rough areas to exfoliate the skin.
– 100 g of uncooked oatmeal tied into an old stocking or muslin bag.
Oats gve your skin a healthy glow, leaving a thin film on the surface that seals in water.
– 15g of powdered milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.
The lactic acid in the milk will exfoliate your skin and the grapeseed oil providea a powerful dose of anti-oxidants.
– Don’t anything listed above? Well, a few bags of your favourite tea will do just as well!
Tea provides anti-oxidants as well as a delicious scent.