Skincare is an important daily regiment that should never be skipped. It is important that we protect and care for our skin, but it is also of growing importance that we do so with the harsh and abrasive chemicals of yesteryear. Our branded skincare providers are going back to natural ingredients. In this time of more holistic and organic approach to living our modern lives, it only makes sense to incorporate natural recipes for skin care.

In a constant search for the fountain of eternal youth, we use countless concoctions that are commercially advertised as good for our skin when most often we have a number of natural skin care recipes that achieve comparable results. Understanding our skins unique needs is key. Often times, it takes trying several different brands of skincare products before finding one or a combination of products that keep our skin glowing and healthy.

Astringent and Cleanser

Witch Hazel makes a wonderful facial astringent and bath addition. It removes oil and impurities without robbing the skin of its moisture.

Masque

A mixture of two-thirds plain yogurt and one-third apple cider vinegar is an amazing facial masque. The yogurt works as a moisturizer and the apple cider vinegar cleans the pores.

Hydration

Pure, all natural moistures such as Vitamin E (contents of 3 capsules), shea butter (one ounce), and aloe vera (one-fourth of one ounce) can be combined to make a skin cream that will keep the skin hydrated and protected from the sunny and windy conditions plus include the nutrients that skin requires.

Take great care of our skin is important and can be done naturally. We go out into the world daily and are surrounded by pollutants and impurities that ham our skin. Using natural skin care techniques are a way of pampering our skin that is simple, inexpensive, and packed with nutrients.

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 by: Katharina Bishop

Conventionally produced cosmetics and personal care products often contain poisonous substances, many of which were synthetically derived from petrochemicals. These ingredients have the potential for causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, allergic respiratory reactions, and skin and eye irritations.

Many chemicals found in cosmetics don’t cause immediate visible signs of toxicity, but affect our health negatively over time through repeated use.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that we can do something about it. As parents, making our own baby products on the basis of all natural ingredients not only saves us money, but also ensures that our babies’ delicate immune systems and developing bodies are not unduly taxed by toxic and allergenic ingredients.

Even better, baby products using simple, natural ingredients are easy to make. You can pick up most of the ingredients you will need on your next trip to the local shops. Supermarkets and natural food stores carry almost everything you will need, and specialist ingredients should be available in your pharmacy.

Baby massage oil is one of the most versatile baby products. It can be used on baby’s skin, in the bath, or massaged into the scalp to treat cradle cap. Baby massage is one of the most fulfilling forms of nurturing you can give your child. It aids digestion, relieves colic, eases tension, regulates breathing, and spurs growth. Massage offers your infant not only the comfort and stimulus of touch, but a full range of enriching sensual experiences: eye contact, a soothing voice, and a familiar scent.

You can make your own baby oil using pure almond oil, which is hypoallergenic and has a slightly warming effect on the body, aiding relaxation. If your baby is allergic to seed and nut oils, you can use olive oil as a base instead. For babies older than 6 months, you may wish to experiment by adding a few drops of essential oil to the base oil. Excellent choices for babies include lavender (to achieve a relaxing, sedative effect), geranium (to ease nervous tension and to counteract negative moods), myrrh (to ease coughs, colds, and bronchitis – also beneficial for digestive problems such as colic in infants), and ylang ylang (use sparingly for a highly relaxing and uplifting effect).

Baby wipes are another product which you are sure to use every day. Why not make them yourself? You will save money, and your baby’s delicate skin will thank you.

To make your own wipes, mix one fourth cup of almond or olive oil with two cups of distilled water and one fourth cup of baby shampoo (choose a natural brand). To this, add 8 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of tea tree oil (optional). Now, prepare a roll of paper towels to become baby wipes. First, cut it in half. You now have two short rolls. Remove the cardboard center. Place a short roll in an airtight, waterproof container (you can use an old baby wipe box or a tupperware container) and pour the solution over the towels. Put the lid back on the box and turn it upside down so the solution is absorbed. Alternatively, if you use cloth or flannel wipes, keep the solution in a jar or spray bottle and apply as needed.

Even the most well cared for baby bottoms occasionally suffer a bout of diaper rash. Most diaper rash creams on the market today are formulated on the basis of bee’s wax, and many do-it-yourself recipes contain the same ingredient. If you wish to avoid animal products, you can use jojoba oil instead. Jojoba oil is perfect for baby skin due to its great nutritional properties. Its structure is very close to human sebum so it is easily absorbed.

Jojoba oil allows the skin to breathe, unlike other oils. It nourishes the skin and moisturizes it at the same time. To further enhance these beneficial properties add 5 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil (both act as anti-bacterial agents) for every 2 ounces of oil. Wheat germ oil with its naturally high Vitamin E content complements this jojoba oil mixture. Adding a few drops will also help preserve this product. Pure Vitamin E Oil is a good alternative if you cannot find wheat germ oil.

About The Author

Katharina Bishop is a freelance writer. She is the owner of Wondrous Gems, a business specializing in amber and gemstone jewelry, with the aim of promoting the healing properties of crystals and gemstones. http://www.jewelry4angels.com.

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