New Year a New You!

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Face Cleansers— and Scrubs

A new year has begun so why not glowing, gorgeous skin on your to-do list?

At certain times, we suffer from a complexion that is dull, lifeless. This often occurs because the face is covered by a thin layer of built-up dirt, oils and dead skin cells. Exfoliants have become wildly popular in the last few years. You can find them in everything from lip balms to bikini wax preparations. The irony is that people have known about the beneficial properties of exfolients for centuries. These substances help the complexion to renew itself by sloughing off dead skin cells at a faster-than-normal rate. Oatmeal, Bran, Cornmeal and Almond meal, or Wheateena brand cereal are great cleansers for the skin that have exfoliating action. They are gentle, inexpensive, quick and easy to use. Keep a small lidded jar of any of these in your bathroom. Just mix with a little water or witch hazel. All the recipes below are mild; however, it’s best to test their effects on your complexion in a small area before use.  People with very sensitive skin or extremely dry skin may want to avoid scrubs.

Healing Honey Cleanser:

This is a good treatment for blemishes. Honey is a great facial cleanser as well as a nourisher and healer.
It is also a natural humectant, or skin softener. Columbian women use honey as
a mask. Honey has been used for centuries by beauty conscious women as a
natural cosmetic. Wheatgerm is antiseptic and toning.

–4 to 5 Tblsp of honey

–1
tsp of wheat germ if your face is blemished

Moisten the face with a little warm water. Dab this on lightly with fingers or apply
directly to blemishes with a Q-Tip. Leave on face for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse
off with warm water.

Yogi Yogurt Cleanser:

This is a simply wonderful cleanser for people with oily or normal skin. Yogurt is loaded with protein, calcium and vitamins and is a very soothing cleanser.

–1-3
Tblsp of Yogurt

–a
pinch of salt

Slather it on. Then splash off with tepid water.

Bombay Cleanser:

While traveling through certain parts of India I noticed that a form of cornmeal was used by the women as a replacement to soap to scrub and wash the face. Oatmeal is nourishing to the skin and is used
in many parts of the world as a beauty aid.

–1-2
Tblsp of Oatmeal (or Colloidal oatmeal)

–1-2
teaspoons of witch hazel

–a
few drops of water

Dampen the oatmeal then, add the witch hazel and a few drops of water to make it moist. Apply to face with a upward and outward circular motion. Splash with lots of warm water removing all surface dirt. This recipe can be adapted for all skin types; if your skin is extra dry, add a little vegetable oil. Please “LIKE” us on facebook for more great tips and see SHOP for resources.

with love,

Dawn