D-I-Y natural beauty secrets
It's easy, fun, and inexpensive to make your own beauty treatments, using natural ingredients straight from your pantry.
Footbath bliss
Kundalini yogi Gurunam wrote, “There is no part of the body that cannot be healed through the feet.”
* Half-fill a foot basin with cool water. Add 1 cup of sea salt, 1 sliced lemon, and two inches of ginger root, sliced.
* Boil 2 cups of water and add 1 tablespoon black tea, a cinnamon stick, and five cloves. Add half this hot tea to the basin.
* Pop your feet in; add more tea as desired for a deliciously comfortable temperature.
Anti-acne lotion
Lavender is a valuable herb for acne; it regulates sebum production and prevents scarring.
Make a soothing antibacterial lotion by combining ¼ cup strong, strained lavender tea with 1 tablespoon of witch hazel, a pinch of salt and 3 drops of lavender oil. Mix and apply to skin with a cottonwool ball. Store in fridge.
Cleansing mask
The clay gently cleanses, while the milk exfoliates old skin cells.
3 tablespoons kaolin white clay (from your pharmacy)
1½ tablespoons milk powder
2 drops chamomile oil
1 teaspoon (5ml) lavender water
Combine dry ingredients; mix 1 teaspoonful to a paste with water and oil. Apply to skin, leave for 15 minutes, rinse and moisturise. Store leftover dry mixture in an airtight container.
Chocolate delight
Cocoa is high in antioxidants which slow skin damage. And if this yummy mask accidentally slides onto your mouth … simply lick your lips and enjoy!
2 tablespoons organic cocoa powder
1 tablespoon runny honey
1 tablespoon double cream
Combine ingredients, apply to cleansed face and leave 15 minutes before rinsing off. Discard leftovers.
Get the red out
Soothing lettuce juice is great for skin that has had too much sun.
6-8 fresh lettuce leaves
1-2 tablespoons rice flour
1 teaspoon almond oil
1 tablespoon cream
Process leaves in a juicer until you have a tablespoon of juice. Strain, and whisk with other ingredients. Smooth paste over skin, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse.
