Natural Skin and Hair Care at Home

We all want to look our best, and taking care of our skin is a major factor when it comes to looking great. For those of us who are interested in keeping our beauty routine all natural, the beauty aisle at the store can be a minefield of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and other nasty ingredients that we would like to avoid. However, there is good news: you can take care of your skin at home with natural ingredients such as oils, butters, avocado, honey, and baking soda.

One Ingredient Facial Wash

You can use honey to cleanse and moisturize the skin. In fact, there is many uses for honey. According to the National Honey Board, “honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This makes honey a natural fit in a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners.” Simply rub one teaspoon of honey with your fingertips to warm it, the rub in a circular motion over your face, avoiding the eye area. Allow it to sit for a few minutes then rinse with warm water and a washcloth.

A Simple Scrub for Smooth Skin

Brown sugar mixed with honey or olive oil makes a great exfoliant. Simply mix one cup of brown sugar and half a cup of extra virgin olive oil in a container with a sealable lid. Keep the container in the bathroom for easy access. When you’re in the shower, just spread the scrub over your wet skin and rub in a circular motion until the sugar dissolves. Rinse with warm water. Do not try to wash the oil off of your skin. The oil barrier will help protect your skin from environmental irritants while simultaneously locking in moisture. Once you exit the shower or bath, pat your skin dry with a towel.

Use Oils to Remedy Skin Problems

Natural oils can be used to remedy a variety of skin problems. Oils can hydrate dry skin, tone oily skin, reduce redness, and can even be used to remove unsightly skin tags. Skin tags are growths of raised skin, they are thought to be caused by friction. While there are other methods to remove skin tags, they may result in scarring or the use of harsh chemicals. There is a natural skin tag remover that uses calendula and a blend of essential oils, which is a natural and healthy alternative.

Wash your hair with baking soda

You may have also heard about the “no poo” method of hair washing. Many people have decided to opt out of using shampoo since it often has many chemicals that can strip and damage hair. Using baking soda to cleanse your hair is a natural and effective method. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water until dissolved. Pour over the scalp and massage the same way you normally would when washing your hair. Rinse thoroughly. You can also follow this with an apple cider vinegar rinse to condition the hair. Apply a mix of apple cider vinegar and water, let sit one minute and rinse.

There are many ways you can stay beautiful and healthy at the same time. Sometimes the first place to look may be your kitchen. Honey, oils, baking soda, apple cider vinegar and other foods are great to use in your beauty regimen. For now, use the facial wash, body scrub, skin tag remover and hair wash for soft, clean, and healthy skin and hair.