Natural Beauty

Photo by: lindyy

Utilize nature's most pure ingredients to transform your epidermis. By limiting your use of commercial beauty products, you'll avoid excessive use of mineral oil, a common filler in creams and makeup that suffocates the pores.

But if you'd rather buy traditional products many drugstore brands are made by department store manufacturers and contain the same active ingredients. Look for it on the back of the jar. If the percentage of active ingredient is the same you're essentially purchasing the same product.

Slapping an organic or "all-natural" label on a bottle of night cream somehow increases the price by 40%. With just a few essentials, looking beautiful and staying on your budget is a farmer's market visit away.

Check out these recipes for making your own products at a fraction of the spa price:

Hydrating mask
Combine a fresh avocado and 1 1/2 teaspoons of honey. Mash together well and apply to face. Let soak for 20 minutes before rinsing with water.

Sea salt scrub
Mix together 3 cups of sea salt, 3/4 cup olive oil, 3/4 cup sweet almond oil. Use 3-4 times weekly to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation.

Witch Hazel
One of the best ways to gently cleanse your makeup is with witch hazel. It is available for under $5 in the drugstore section of the grocery store. It helps to prevent blemishes as well.

Facial exfoliant
Not only is baking soda a lifesaver in the kitchen, but it also works for cleaning the skin. Apply a solution of baking soda and water paste to the skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water.

Foot soak
Cook 1/2 cup of rice in a large pot of water. Add baking powder to the cooked rice after it cools. Soak your feet in the solution.

Dry facial cleanser
Combine 1/4 cucumber peeled and juiced, 2 tbsp plain yogurt, and 2 tbsp cooked oatmeal, mixing well. Apply to a dry face then rinse after several minutes.

Revitalizing facial cleanser
Add 1 slice peeled apple, 2 tbsp plain yogurt, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp juice to the food processor and blend well. Any leftover product may be refrigerated for up to three days.

Lavender Bubble Bath
Add 1/2 cup castor oil to 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil. Pour under spout during bath and enjoy.

For more recipes to create your own organic body products, visit Skin Care Recipes and All Natural Beauty.

Next: Exercise Sans Electricity