Organic Skincare
This time of year, we often feel more pressure to take care of our skin. If you think about it, it does make sense. Our skin is exposed more this time of year than any other. From dresses, skirts, shorts, tank tops, and even bathing suits. As important as it is to adjust your skincare routine from season to season, not all of us can afford a drastic makeover. I’m here to tell you that there are items in your house or items that you most likely already buy that can be used to help take care of your skin this summer.
Strawberries
I mentioned in a previous post that strawberries were great to include in your diet. They are full of antioxidants and can serve as a natural sun block. If you’re one of those people who maybe like to buy in bulk or let some food go to the point where you are a little hesitant to eat them…than have no fear you can still use the strawberries. That is assuming they are not to the point where mold is growing on them. All you need to do is take some of the strawberries and mash them into a paste. This will create an organic face wash using strawberries alone. The seeds from the strawberries will serve as the exfoliant and help to clean out any clogged pores.
Honey
Honey is another item that contains many antioxidants to help you get that “glow”. When you are looking for honey to use for you skin, go for organic or raw honey. Stay away from imitation honeys for both dietary and skincare reasons. Imitation honey is pack with tons of sugar that can cause you to break out more than help you. Organic or Raw honey is as close to its form when it was in the hive. This can serve as a great facial mask. I usually leave the honey mask on my face for about 10 minutes (depending on how humid it is, be prepared for some of the honey to drip off your face). The glow from a honey mask comes not only from the antioxidants but the stickiness of the honey helps to remove any dead skin cells that your normal routine may have missed.
Oatmeal
Have you ever wondered why when we have the chicken pox, our parents suggest an oatmeal bath to help soothe the itching? This is because oatmeal is effective in relieving dryness and inflammation for things like insect stings, rashes, and eczema. That’s why the FDA has approved when companies add oatmeal to moisturizers and soaps.
Here’s a recipe that to make your own oatmeal moisturizer, and you will know every ingredient in the moisturizer. The ingredients needs are:
1/2 cup finely ground oatmeal
2 cups distilled water
Saucepan with lid
Fine strainer
Glass or stainless steel mixing bowl
Small saucepan
Metal spoon
3/4 cup olive, almond or jojoba oil
2 tbsp. shea butter
2 tbsp. grated beeswax
1 tsp. grapefruit seed extract
Bring the water to a boil and add in the oatmeal. Let that simmer for 20 minutes, then strain into a mixing bowl. (Set aside for the moment)
Next, heat the oil, shea butter, and beeswax over low heat in a small sauce pan. You want to keep stirring until the beeswax is melted and the ingredients are completely combined. Then remove from heat.
Pour the oil mixture that you just made into the oatmeal/distilled water concoction. You want to make sure you stir until the two mixtures are combined.
Finally, add the grapefruit seed extract and use the blender to blend the mixture until it is thick and creamy.
Sunscreen
My final tip for taking care of your skin is REMEMBER TO APPLY SUNSCREEN. It is important when it comes to aging, wrinkles, sunburn, etc. to make sure that you always apply sunscreen. Not just when you are at the beach or by the pool but even on the cloudiest of days. To make things easier, companies are now making a CC Cream with that added SPF so that you don’t have to worry about adding yet another element to your skincare routine.
