You may be surprised to find that many beauty product ingredients can be found at home, for a fraction of the price of store-bought equivalents. So the next time you reach for your wallet to buy an expensive anti aging facial cream or mask, why not check to see what’s in your refrigerator, kitchen pantry or maybe even your garden to give yourself a natural facial treatment instead? It can help you achieve a natural beauty makeover without having to leave the comfort of your own home!
1. Avocado
An emollient for the skin and hair, avocado is an oil-rich tropical fruit that’s full of vitamins and potassium. Its oil is often used in commercial skin preparations, because it makes an exceptional moisturizer and has many anti-aging properties. To use it as a home facial treatment, simply mash one avocado until smooth, spread it on your face and rinse off first with warm water and then cold to close the pores after 15 or 20 minutes.
2. Cucumber
Well known for its healing properties, it has a wonderful calming and soothing effect on sensitive or sunburned skin and makes a wonderful mask. You can place sliced or grated chilled cucumber on your face or put the chilled cucumber in a blender and use the puree instead (keeping it away from your eyes). Leave it on for about 30 minutes while you lie down and then rinse it off and follow with a moisturizer.
3. Bananas
High in potassium, bananas are natural humectants that are often used in homemade facial and body masks for dry skin. Simply apply a mashed banana to your face. Add some plain yogurt and an egg white or a tablespoon of honey to the bananas to make the mask more luxurious.
4. Eggs
Eggs help to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines on the surface of the skin because of their skin conditioning and toning properties. They also act as a hair conditioner and thickener, and can be used as a base to bind other ingredients together. To create an egg mask that will minimize your pores and give you healthy skin, beat one egg yolk, apply it to your face and rinse well after 15 minutes. For a more moisturizing mask, mix one egg yolk, one teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of olive oil, and use the same as the plain egg yolk mask.
5. Honey
Honey is known for its skin conditioning and antibacterial effects, and is a wonderful healing ingredient for moisturizers, masks, cleansers and lip balms. Active Manuka honey is especially beneficial for healing skin. Use a warm, wet towel to open your pores, and then spread the honey on your face. Leave on for 15-30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water and then cold to close the pores.
6. Kiwis
Kiwis are high in vitamin C, and soothe and refresh the skin when used in masks and toners. Fresh kiwi juice or pulp can be added to a variety of other ingredients to form masks, but it can also be used by itself as a cleansing mask. It’s fairly astringent, so it may pinch a little. But this is okay, as long as you keep it away from your eyes. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, wash with warm and then cold water and follow with your normal moisturizer.
7. Lemons
Lemons are a natural astringent and are often found in toners and exfoliators. They’re excellent for oily and greasy skin, because they remove excess oil and to help lighten pigmentation. To make a mask to address oily skin issues, mix the juice of half a lemon and one beaten egg white and apply it to your face, avoiding the eyes. You can actually leave this mask on overnight if you want, or for just 15 minutes if you want a quick treatment.
8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal softens and heals the skin and is therefore a great addition to any mask for sensitive skin. It can also be used as a mild exfoliant by mixing it with enough water or milk to make a soft paste and using it to wash your face. If you have oily skin, use the same preparation as a mask, leaving it on until it dries. Once it does, rub it off with your fingers, making sure to do it very gently so you protect your skin.
9. Pineapple
Pineapple makes a great exfoliant, due to its natural enzymes. Puree or mash the pineapple, apply it to the skin and let it set a few minutes. After you rinse it off, finish with a gentle mask made from one cup yogurt and yogurt and a tablespoon of honey for the ultimate spa treatment.
10. Watermelon
Watermelon’s astringent and skin conditioning properties can be very helpful for those suffering from oily skin conditions. Mash enough watermelon to cover your face (avoiding the eye area), spread it on and then lie down for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm and then cold water and follow with your favorite moisturizer.
As you can see, there is a bountiful selection of items that can be used for natural facial treatments. So if you want to avoid buying expensive anti aging facial products or just want your skin to look its best, turn to Mother Nature!
