I grew up in Mexico, and with a traditional medicine man/healer as a grandfather, I learnt many recipes for all sorts of treatments. Having trained in Natural Therapies myself and being a big believer (obviously) in using all natural products whenever possible, I like to use products from the pantry in my daily routine; these include fruit and vegetables, oils, spices and other stock kitchen items.
We’ve cleansed, toned and moisturised for centuries, well before companies started producing skincare and cosmetics, so there are hundreds of different DIY recipes for basic daily beauty tasks you can make at home using whatever is at hand in your kitchen.
Obviously the more natural, unprocessed ingredients you use, the better for you and your body. PLUS it’s better for the environment - less packaging and waste, no processes or chemicals...
Here are a few of my daily DIY alternatives to basic beauty tasks:
◦ Basic cleanser, tonic: Apple cider and rose water
◦ Moisturiser for face: Jojoba oil and grapeseed oil
◦ Moisturiser for body: Coconut oil and natural shea butter. Also olive oil is great for pre-shave prep of your legs.
◦ Deodorant: Bicarbonate of soda and you can also use witch-hazel.
◦ Hair conditioner: Olive oil once a week – get some good quality olive oil and coat over the ends. Leave overnight and wash the next day.
◦ Hair mask: One egg yolk, 3 teaspoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of runny honey – amazing hydrating mask. Also once a week warm 2 tablespoons of Argan Oil with 5 drops of Vitamin E Oil (for shoulder and massage the scalp and through the hair, then massage through your nails, cuticles, feet and toes! Leave the treatment overnight and in the morning wash your hair as normal.
◦ Exfoliator: Brown sugar and lemon for lip and hand scrub - also great for spots! Squeeze the juice of half a lemon onto a cotton wool pad. Add a teaspoon of soft brown sugar and very gently run the pad over your face or hands in a circular motion for 5 minutes. Then rinse with luke warm water.
◦ Face Masks: rice powder, cornflour and lemon juice face mask; avocado (also great for the hair) or soft fruits like mango; honey & lemon – not just great for your throat, it’s good for your skin too.
◦ Daily anti-ageing treatment: Cut a tomato in half and rub over your skin last thing at night. Wash off in the morning. Full of Vitamin E, antioxidants and an amazing skin brightener.
