Skin Care Recipes

This gel will work well for men or women. It soothes skin after you've finished shaving. It's one of those great, simple recipes that will replace what you buy at the store. It's alcohol free, so it's great for even sensitive skin.

1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel
1 1/2 tablespoons distilled water
1 tablespoon witch hazel
10 drops essential or fragrance oils of your choice

Combine all ingredients in the container you'll store it in, until well mixed. Top with a lid. Use after every shave to soothe and refresh your skin.

Thanks to Betty for this recipe!

2 oz. Aloe vera gel
1 tsp. almond Oil
1 tsp. glycerin
1/2 tsp grapefruit seed extract (I use Vit. E oil instead-same amount)
4 drops Sandalwood essential oil
2 drops Lavender essential oil

Mix well and put in small jar. Gently clean face with Gel, then remove with damp washcloth or tissue.

In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1 tablespoon yogurt, a few strawberries, and 1 teaspoon honey. Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Almond Mayonnaise Scrub

(for very dry skin)
1/4 C. almonds
1/8 tsp. mayonnaise

Grind almonds in blender until they form a meal. Whirl in mayonnaise. Vinegar-Rinse your skin. Rub in Scrub gently and thoroughly. Leave on skin for about 10 minutes. Rinse off.

Anti-Aging Face Mask Recipe

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 med. banana - peeled
1 vitamin E capsule

Mash together cream and banana. Stir in contents of capsule.
Smooth onto face and neck.
Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Wipe off with damp cloth.

1 medium size apple (grated)
5 tablespoons of honey

Mix the grated apple and mix with honey to make a mask. Smooth over skin then let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water.

Apricot Butter Cleansing Cream

10 oz apricot kernel oil
2 oz cocoa butter
2 oz beeswax

Heat all in top of double boiler until wax and butter are melted. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and cooled. Transfer to jars, cap and refrigerate.

Soak 1 cup dried apricots in water until softened. Puree in blender or food processor with 2 tablespoons skim milk powder. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Artichoke Facial

1 fresh artichoke heart well cooked or canned hearts in water, not oil
2 tsp. light oil (avocado, olive, or canola)
1 tsp. vinegar or fresh lemon juice

In a ceramic bowl mash artichoke heats and mix with oil and vinegar. Stir well until smooth paste. Massage on face and neck. let sit 10 to 15 minutes. rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Avocado Facial

Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer. Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Massage into the face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.

Mash 1/2 banana and add 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth

Body Butter Recipe

1/2 cup aloe vera gel
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon witch hazel
3-4 drops of peppermint oil

Mix aloe, cornstarch and witch hazel in glass bowl. Microwave 1-2 minutes, stirring in 30-second intervals. Cook until mixture becomes clear and thick.

Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 - 1/2 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp of vitamin E
10 drops of fragrance or essential oil, optional

Mix almond oil, vitamin E and gragrance or essential oil together in a glass bowl. Add the brown sugar and mix in well. Divvy up into jars and have a great time using it!

Clay Mask Recipe for Normal Skin

2 Tablespoons of Green or Rose Clay powder (Find this at your craft store, hardware store, or pharmacy)
1 teaspoon of Honey
1/ 2 teaspoon of olive oil (or you can use another vegetable oil)
Water, to make a paste

In a small bowl combine the clay powder, honey and olive oil until well mixed. Add about a half teaspoon of water at a time, mixing well after each addition, to create a paste.

Apply this clay mask paste to your face in a thin, even layer (avoid contact with your eyes, nose and mouth) and allow it to sit on your face until dry - about twenty minutes. Use this time that the face mask is drying to relax and maybe read a book or listen to some soothing music. Then, rinse off the mask with cool water, and pat your face dry with a towel. Your skin will feel so clean it will tingle!

Cornmeal Hand Scrub

Mix 1/4 cup corn meal with 3 Tbsp. milk. Heat over low heat until a paste forms.
Add 1 drop almond oil. Let cool.
Spread on hands, leave on for about 10 minutes, then gently scrub. Rinse.

Puree 1/2 peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and add 1 tablespoon yogurt. Apply to face and let set about 20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Dry Skin Face Pack

4 tsp. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. kelp powder
1 tsp. fuller's earth

Make into a paste. Apply. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water, and pat dry.

Mash half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Homemade hand cream smells wonderful and makes the perfect hostess gift!! If you're looking for a fabulous gift or just a treat for yourself, try making your own hand cream! It smells wonderful, it's all natural (all the ingredients you'll need are available at your local grocery or drug store), and it's easy to make -- it only takes a few minutes. Here's how:

1. Over medium-low heat, melt 4 tbsp. cocoa butter with 4 tbsp. beeswax.

2. Stir in 4 tbsp. warmed almond oil. This mixture will thicken quickly.

3. Stir until lump free, then pour into a pretty dish. Cream will solidify as it cools.

Remember, presentation is everything. A beautiful jar or dish tied with ribbon makes a gorgeous hostess gift.

Add 1 tsp of clear, warmed and melted honey to 100 ml milk or cream. Stir briskly until the honey has dissolved and then add 1 egg yolk, whisking until well-blended. Bottle and refrigerate.

Honey Cleansing Scrub-- Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

Facial Mask for Dry Skin

1 egg yolk
1 small avocado
1/2 banana
2 teaspoons carrot juice
2-3 teaspoons white clay
1 drop rose essential oil

Mash avocado and banana with the back of a fork until they forma thick, creamy mixture. Stir in egg yolk to combine. Add carrot juice and mix will. Add 1 teaspoon of clay and mix well. If mixture is a bit runny, add more clay. Stir the mixture until a smooth paste forms. Add the essential oil last and stir to incorporate. To use, apply a layer to clean face and neck avoiding eyes. Rest for about 10 minutes (longer if you'd like). Rinse well with warm water and follow with toner and moisturizer. The shelf life of this product is limited by the fresh ingredients. It should be used immediately after it is made.

Firming Facial Mask

1 tbsp honey
1 egg white
1 teaspoon glycerine
and just enough flour to create a paste

Smoothe over cleansed skin and allow to sit on skin for at least ten minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.

Fruit Salad Body Mask

2 slices pineapple - rind removed
1/2 med. honeydew melon - rind removed
1 doz. green grapes
1 med. banana - peeled
1 med. pear - cored
1 med. kiwi fruit - peeled

Puree all ingredients in food processor. Mixture will be slightly lumpy. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Smooth onto body and/or face, leaving on for half an hour. Rinse off with cool water.

Green Tea Face Freshener

In a study, when researchers exposed a sample of skin cells to a compound found in green tea, the dying skin cells were reactivated. Researchers speculate that energizing dying skin cells might help to improve the skin's condition. To give your skin a boost, try exfoliating with your used green tea bags when you wash your face.

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup oatmeal

Mix lemon juice, honey and oatmeal in a bowl until they form a moist paste. Work treatment into clean hands; cover with cotton gloves for 20 minutes. Rinse and follow with moisturizer. Put in small jars for gift giving.

Heavenly Mask

1 T. yogurt
1 egg yolk
1 T. honey

Mix gently and let stand until paste reaches room temperature. Smooth mask onto clean face, and lie down for 20 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water. Apply astringent and moisturizer.

Heavy Duty Gardeners Hand Cream

2 Tablespoons of shaved beeswax
1/2 Teaspoon of carnuba wax
2 Tablespoons of jojoba oil
1 Teaspoon of aloe vera gel
10 drops of Vitamin E oil ( or 4 capsules)
1 drop of your favorite essentail oil for fragrance

Melt the first four ingredients in a stainless steel pot on the stove or use a glass pyrex cup in the microwave. Remove from heat and beat until cool, adding the Vitamin E oil before mixture thickens. Continue beating until this mixture becomes creamy. Add your favorite essential oil, continue beating until cream has completely cooled. Spoon your cream into a jar, store in a cool dark place.

Herbal Acne Remedy

2 to 3 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 C. boiling water

Steep basil leaves in water for 10 to 20 minutes. Cool, then apply to face with a white cotton ball.

Herbal Blemish Treatment

1 cup water
1/4 C parsley
1 TBSP mint leaves
1/4 watercress
3 medium size carrots(peeled and xhopped)
1 egg white

Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. In a blender mix infusion with carrots and egg whiteon medium speed for 45 seconds Apply to face , let sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Cover and refrigerate immediately, discard after 3 days

Thanks to Ruth for sending in this recipe! She says her daughter-in- law always had problems with dry, chapped hands due to working outdoors in the cold Canadian weather (I understand the weather all too well!), and she swears by this concoction...

400ml.jar of Vitamin "A" cream (any brand)
400ml.jar of Vitamin "E" cream (any brand)
155 gram tube polysporin
2 tblsp Vaseline
4 tblsp baby oil

Mix all together, and apply liberally.

Honey Almond Facial Mask

1 T. honey
2 T. finely crushed almonds
1 tsp. powdered clay
4 T. uncooked oatmeal or cornstarch

Mix together, adding little water if mixture is too thick to spread. Apply to face. Gently massage face, using an upward, circular motion as you rinse.

1/2 cup cold cream
1 tablespoon Honey
2 tablespoon slivered almonds

Whirl slivered almonds in a blender until they're as fine as freshly ground pepper. Mix with cold cream and add honey. Keep refrigerated. Use as you would a normal scrub cream.

Honey Avocado Face Mask

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons dry buttermilk powder
1/4 avocado, medium size, mashed

Combine the ingredients and stir until smooth. Cucumber puree may be substituted for the avocado, using 1/4 cup puree. Avocado is good for dry skin, while cucumber is better for oily skin. Makes enough for 1 application.

Honey Hair & Facial Masks

Submitted by Rene from South Africa

"I use this 'hair mask' once every 2 months and it really gives your hair body, shine and helps with split ends. It is a bit gooey... so I normally do it on a Friday night or Saturday morning. If you shampoo your hair twice after rinsing off the 'goo', then it really looks stunning!!"

(Just amend it a little if you have long hair - mine is shoulder length).

2T Olive Oil /Sunflower Oil
1 1/2 T Honey
Yolk of 1 egg
Make sure all the hair is covered with this mixture. Wrap plastic wrap around the hair -if you want to look pretty at the same time... wear a hat. Leave on for 1/2 hour and then rinse with warm water. Shampoo hair and apply your normal conditioner. This is really good for split ends.

(I mix the white of this egg with 1 T Honey and some wheatgerm to make a paste for my face! Leave on till it dries and tightens the skin and rinse off with luke warm water)

Honey Moisture Facial Mask

Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk or cream. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Lemon Cleansing Cream

1 Tbsp beeswax
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 Tbsp witch hazel
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp borax
6 drops lemon essential oil

In small pan set over low heat, gently melt beeswax in the canola oil. Beat for 5 minutes until mixture has a creamy, smooth consistency. In a separate non-metallic saucepan, gently warm witch hazel and lemon juice; stir in borax until dissolved and add to canola oil mixture. Beat until smooth. After the cream has cooled, stir in the lemon oil. Spoon into sealable container.

1/2 c. lemon juice
1 c. distilled water
2/3 c. witch hazel

For lemon toner, combine all ingredients. Pour into a clean bottle or container. Shake well before using. Apply with a clean cotton ball.

Olive Oil Cream Recipe

1/2 tsp. borax
2 tsp. boiling water
4 T. non-petroleum jelly (available at health food stores)
4 T. olive oil

Dissolve borax in boiling water. Melt jelly and olive oil over low heat until liquid. Add borax mixture. Stir to mix thoroughly. Remove from heat. Beat as the mixture cools to emulsify. Store in the refrigerator.

Overnight Facial Mask

Squeeze half a lemon and mix the juice with one beaten egg white. Leave on your face overnight or, for a quick pick-me-up, just 15 minutes. Splash warm water on your face to rinse. It helps to removes blotches, because the lemon works as a bleaching agent.

Peppermint Lavender Scrub

2 cup rolled oats
1 cup almonds
2 tsp dried lavender
2 tsp dried peppermint
2 cup white cosmetic clay

Grind oats, almonds and herbs to a very fine powder in blender or with a mortar and pestle. Mix ground herbs with clay, store in covered container. To use: mix 1 heaping tsp of mixture with water to make a paste. Massage into skin then rinse well with warm water.

Peppermint Mud Mask

2 T. rubbing alcohol
1 tsp. peppermint extract
2 tsp. fuller's earth

Combine all ingredients. Apply to face, avoiding eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp facecloth, and dry with a clean towel. Finish with a light, natural moisturizer cream.

Pineapple Kiwi Refresher

1.5 ounces fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 kiwi fruit, peeled
1 teaspoon fresh whipping cream
1 heaping tablespoon finely powdered oats
1 heaping tablespoon kaolin (China clay)
4 drops lavender essential oil

Pulverize pineapple chunks and kiwi in a small food processor. Add whipping cream and process further to mix in. Add oats and clay and process to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated. This should produce a paste-like mixture that will not run when a small amount is placed on the back of your hand. If it runs, add a little more clay or powdered oats to the mix. If it's too thick to spread easily on the skin, add a bit more whipping cream. To use as a cleanser and face polish, place 1/3 of the mixture in the palms of your hand and massage gently onto facial and neck skin. You can allow it to sit on the skin for about 10 minutes as a mask if you'd like. After rinsing with warm water, follow with toner and moisturizer of choice. Store unused portion in the fridge for a few days

1/4 c Barley or oat flour
1 t Brewer's yeast
2 tb Honey
1 Vitamin E capsule
1 Egg yolk (optional)
2 tb Almond oil
1/4 cup buttermilk or yogurt, more if needed

Mix ingredients together to form a smooth paste. Apply mixture to clean face, throat and neck. Lie down and relax for 15-20 minutes. Wash off gently with warm water and apply moisturizer.

Two tablespoons of cornmeal mixed with enough water to make a thick paste makes a great inexpensive facial mask. Gently apply to face and wash off.

Rose Petal Steam Facial

1 pot fresh water
1 handful rose petals

Boil the water, then remove from heat and toss in the rose petals. Steep 5 minutes, so rose oils diffuse into water. Lean over pot at least 10 inches from surface and drape towel over head. Close eyes; steam 5 minutes with breaks as needed. Rinse with cool water, then pat dry.

Simplest Lavender Lotion

1 oz. glycerin
1 tsp. oil of lavender

Put ingredients in a clean glass bottle and shake well. Refrigerate.

Skin pH Balancer

3 c. distilled water 1/3 c. apple cider vinegar Combine water and cider vinegar. Pour into a clean container. To use: moisten a cotton ball and use after cleansing to restore your skin's pH. Feels terrific!

1 Whole cucumber -- unpeeled
1/2 Oz White paraffin
2 Oz Sweet almond oil

Cut cucumber into chunks and puree in food processor. Strain through strainer lined with cheesecloth. Melt wax in small bowl in the top of a glass or enamel double boiler over medium heat. As soon as the wax is melted, slowly add oil, stirring gently. Add strained cucumber and blend thoroughly. Remove the pot from heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let mixture cool very slowly to prevent crystals from forming in the wax. Stir mixture once or twice until cool. When completely cool and smooth, store in airtight glass container in refrigerator. Will keep 60 days.

Stretch Mark Cream

1/4 C cocoa butter
1 Tablespoon wheat germ oil
1 teaspooon light sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
2 teaspoons grated beeswax
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Mix together all ingredients except the vanilla extract. Heat the mixture gently until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted; stir well. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if desired. Allow to cool completely. Store in a clean jar with a tight- fitting lid. Massage into your skin.

Add 1 tsp violet petals to 1/4 cup cream (you can use milk if you have oily skin). Heat gently until nearly simmering, and keep heating gently until the milk is strongly violet-scented. Strain, bottle, keep in the fridge and use within three or four days. This makes a soothing oil-free cleanser. To use: Moisten face with lukewarm water. Rub cleanser over skin, and rinse well with cool water. Pat face dry.

Yogurt Mud Pack

3 T. fuller's earth
3 T. plain yogurt

Mix to make a paste and pat onto the face with gentle, upward strokes. Let dry on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Zit Attack Mask

1 teaspoon green clay
1 teaspoon liquid honey
1 teaspoon yogurt or sour cream
1 drop rose geranium essential oil

Combine all ingredients to mix well. Add essential oil last and mix well. To use, spread this fragrant, soothing, and deeply cleansing "Wonder Mask" on your skin. Lay down and relax for up to an hour. Rinse off with warm water, finish with a splash of cool water.