Homemade Anti-Aging Face Cream

You may have already found a way to make your own face moisturizer, but when it comes to anti-aging skin care, do you stick with what’s on the market? The anti-aging face cream you use on the reg doesn’t have to be a concoction derived from the belaboring of white-coat clad scientists. In fact, the most effective and truly anti-aging remedies happen to be nature’s most simple and pure ingredients. Mix up this homemade anti-aging face cream and you’ll soften fine lines and moisturize skin, revealing a fresher and younger you.

The ingredients in this anti-aging cream individually have a profound affect on the facial skin, but together they complement one another in terms of texture, scent, and complexion benefits.

Almond oil is an emollient, which means it makes the skin softer, and less harsh and abrasive. It has historically been used to treat psoriasis, eczema, and scarring. It smoothes and rejuvenates skin and improves complexion and skin tone.

In one study, virgin coconut oil had the strongest scavenging effect on free radicals and the highest antioxidant activity. In another study, the antioxidant activity of virgin coconut oil was found to result in an increase of antioxidants and self-healing compounds of the body, resulting in rapid formation of cells and blood vessels in harmed areas. These studies are significant in that they indicate coconut oil’s antioxidant capacity and antioxidants are known to have considerable anti-aging effects.

Beeswax and shea butter both hold anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin E provides a boost of antioxidant power, and essential oils provide a pleasant aroma.

Homemade Anti-Aging Face Cream

Makes about ½ cup (lasts about 3 months)

Ingredients

¼ cup almond oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons beeswax
½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 tablespoon shea butter
Essential oils of choice (optional)

Directions

Place all ingredients in a glass jar. Bring a pot filled about 3-4 inches with water to a simmer. Put the jar, without its lid, in the pot, and let it sit there until the ingredients have melted. Stir occasionally. Once the mixture has melted and all is evenly combined, pour it into a small glass jar. Let it sit at room temperature until the cream hardens, close the jar’s lid, and store in a cool place. Apply morning and night after washing.

Homemade Whipped Body Butter

This exquisite mixture is extremely nourishing! This body butter is excellent for babies or sensitive skin, and scents can be added to make it a custom gift for anyone (or to keep for yourself!). The combination of shea and cocoa butter with two nourishing oils makes a highly moisturizing combination, but whipping the mix helps it go on smoothly without being oily.

My current favorite is a peppermint scented version for the holidays, but I also like a citrus/lavender combination.

Whipped Body Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup Shea Butter
• ½ cup Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter
• ½ cup Coconut Oil
• ½ cup light oil like almond, olive, or coconut oil
• Optional: Essential Oils for scent- I like using 10-30 drops depending on the essential oils used. 

Directions

1. In a double boiler or glass bowl, combine all ingredients except essential oils.
2. Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all ingredients are melted.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Move to fridge and let cool another 1 hour or until starting to harden but still somewhat soft.
5. Use a hand mixer to whip for 10 minutes until fluffy.
6. Return to fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.
7. Store in a glass jar with a lid and use as you would regular lotion or body butter. If your home stays above 75 degrees, it may soften and need to be kept at the fridge, but it will stay whipped at a temperature lower than that.

ENJOY!



Laurel ♥

All Natural Face Mask that Loves Your Skin

Facial masks are one of the earliest forms of beauty care in existence. In times of old, both men and women would cover their face and body with healing muds and clays and allow it to dry, when washed away the skin was noticeably softer and more radiant looking than before. Today, clay masks have taken on a more commercial appearance with the addition of unnatural ingredients and harsh chemicals. These commercial masks have claims of providing softer, healthier looking skin, and that may be true, however, the harsh chemicals are being absorbed into the body which can cause acidity. Nevertheless, you can ditch the commercial stuff and make your own natural clay masks that possess all of the skin loving benefits without the chemical additives.

Bentonite clay is praised for its ability to absorb toxins, heavy metals and other such impurities from the skin. When applied externally, bentonite clay tightens saggy skin, moisturizes, cleanses and relaxes. The simple recipe below marries bentonite with skin loving rose water and moisturizing Aloe Vera Gel to create a mask that is effective at beautifying troubled skin.


Bentonite Clay and Aloe Vera Facial Mask:

Ingredients and Equipment:

1/3 cup natural bentonite clay powder
5 tbsp. pure rose water (add more for a thinner mask)
3 tsps. Natural Aloe Vera gel
Medium bowl
Rubber Spatula
Air tight, wide mouth container


Directions:

Pour clay into the medium sized bowl and add the rose water and Aloe Vera gel. Fold with spatula until all the ingredients are incorporated. Transfer mask into a wide mouth container.
How to Use:

Apply an even layer of mask onto your clean face and neck area (avoid eyes and mouth), allow to dry. Leave mask on for up to 30 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

*for best results, apply mask at least once per week, this mask has a shelf life of 4 weeks. Store in fridge when not in use, however, allow mask to return to room temperature before you apply it.*


I recently made a large batch of this facial mask and I am giving it for Christmas gifts.  I use it myself and it improves the appearance of your skin!

Laurel ♥

Healthy Homemade Beauty Products

Using homemade beauty products can help to make basic items work for you in extraordinary ways, saving both money and the environment. Take for instance bowl of over-ripe fruit or a pot of honey; these can be recycled to become effective and healthy BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

You will be cutting down on packaging and chemicals by using more natural ingredients while recycling. Here are a few suggestions for using everyday items by taking a fresh look at just what they can do.

1. All Over Body Mask
Giving your body a routine body mask treatment can work out as expensive if you use the often expensive, store-bought versions. Instead, think about recycling your old fruit. Yes, take any fruit that has gone too soft to eat, put it in the blender and rub the mixture all over the body. Shower it off after five minutes or so, and feel how soft and glowing your skin has become. The NUTRIENTS in the fruit are of great benefit to the skin.

2. Simple Make Up Removers
Plain old Vaseline petroleum jelly, baby oil or even cold milk will work as effective MAKE UP REMOVERS, at no extra cost for either contents or packaging.

3. Refreshing Facial Spray
There is really no need to buy expensive facial spray bottles and liquids. Instead, use a simple plastic spray bottle, well washed of course, such as a plant spray or cleaning product spray bottle, filled with ordinary MINERAL WATER. This acts as a real skin toner and refresher, as well as fixing make up nicely.

4. Clearing Spots and Pimples
These can really be removed by using honey and ground cinnamon over a PERIOD of a couple of weeks. Mix one teaspoon of cinnamon with three teaspoons of honey and apply to the spots or pimples. This should leave you with a clear and healthy skin.

5. Blackhead Remover
An old lemon with dried up rind will still be full of juice. If you use it neat, applied directly to the problem blackhead areas, last thing at night for a few nights, that juice is going to dry up the blackheads after a few nights of treatment. This is one effective way to recycle old fruit, while dealing with OILY SKIN and blackheads without expensive lotions.

6. Cleansing Facial Scrub
Тo make this useful BEAUTY PRODUCT, mix five tablespoons of cornmeal, with one of ground almonds and stir this into two tablespoons of clear honey. Leave the cleansing scrub mixture on your face for just five minutes, then rinse off with warm water and a clean toweling facecloth.

7. Cucumber and Yogurt Face Mask
Do not just throw away cucumber that is past its best - make a really refreshing FACE MASK. Take the cucumber and mash it well, then mix it into a few tablespoons of natural yogurt. Apply the mixture to the face, and leave for just 15 minutes, after which time, the skin will be cooled and toned by the cucumber and the yogurt will give tired skin a glowing boost.

8. Honey Facial
Just APPLY clear honey to freshly washed skin and leave it on for an hour. Rinse off with warm water and feel how clean and soft your skin has become.


If you take a look at those items you would normally throw away, and view them as having more uses than they appear to have, you will reap the rewards.  Think of all the packaging and chemicals you are avoiding, and the natural qualities of what you are adding to your beauty routine, as well as the savings!  I only use homemade beauty products now which work amazingly better than conventional store bought items.   


Try these amazing beauty products at home and tell me how they work for you and please add your own ideas!

Intuitively Yours,
Laurel  xxxx