In a previous post here about homemade sugar body scrub, a reader wanted to know if this body scrub is appropriate for facial use. In the comments I said something akin to… “I could use this on my face because my skin is pretty hardy, i.e. doesn’t break out or respond badly to essential oils. However, I don’t generally suggest it for facial use because one, getting oils in your mouth or eyes is not ok, and two, sugar and oil is not the best skin care regimen for many people.”

There are better homemade facial scrub/cleaner options than the sugar scrub. For example:

• Strawberry Face Mash
• Homemade Organic Honey Beauty
• Fast Homemade Organic Fresh Kitchen Face Scrubs
• Homemade Organic Facial Toner

You can grind up almost any coarse grain to a fine texture (i.e. oats) and use that mixed with a dab of water for a refreshing facial scrub. You can also experiment with various fruits and grains. For example, you could mash up a banana, mix it with your ground up grains and scrub away.

If you’re looking for a natural and really great grainy scrub you can buy vs. make, I highly suggest Manor Hall Soap Company’s Facial Cleansing Grains. I LOVE them.

All of the above are better choices than using sugar scrub on your face. While some faces can deal, yours may not respond well to all that oil and sugar.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Homemade Sugar Body Scrub

Homemade Organic Facial Toner

Homemade Organic Cleansing Creams

Homemade Organic Paint Soap for Kids

Today let’s look at a couple of hair masques.

I have super long, curly hair, so most of the stuff I make has properties that can solve hair that tends to frizz or act crazy. However, these masques are also good for adding shine and smoothness, no matter your hair type. Also, I have hair to my waist so I make double batches of everything you see below. If you have regular length hair, just make the recipe how I post it below.

Avocado rosemary hair masque:

Smash up one avocado with fresh organic rosemary. Since you’re using fresh rosemary, you’ll want to really mash it up or the little rosemary prickles will poke you. Break open a vitamin E capsule and mix that in. Add a splash of olive oil for extra dry or thick hair or add a splash of a lighter oil (like almond or apricot) for thinner, less dry hair. Don’t add too much oil, or you’ll get a conditioner, not a masque. The texture should be sticky and thick not runny. Drop in four drops each of tea tree and orange essential oil and two drops of peppermint essential oil.

Apply to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. You could wear a shower cap – but I don’t believe in using them. I just clip my hair up in a twist – it works fine and never drips. Rinse out well in cool water for shiner less fizzy hair.

Cucumber & yogurt masque:

Note: This masque is drippy, other than adding some base like flour (don’t do that) I have no idea how to thicken it up. So, you may want to take a nice bath as you let this soak into your hair.

Mix in a blender: 1/2 cup organic plain yogurt, 1/2 of an average sized peeled cucumber, a tablespoon or so of honey, a few drops of lavender essential oil, and chamomile. You have some different choices regarding the chamomile. You can chop fresh really fine, boil fresh to a reduction, or add some essential oil of chamomile. I usually have added the oil, or shopped fresh. Boiling is too much extra work. Apply to your head, clip hair up and soak in the tub for 30 minutes. Rinse in cool water for softer, smoother hair. Cucumber is also known to fight off chlorine damage well if used weekly.

Some people I know mix egg with their cucumber masques, but I don’t like the smell so I don’t. You can though, for extra shine.

Of course, always feel free to experiment. Add essential oils that are beneficial to your hair type.

Before making a homemade beauty product read: Homemade Beauty Products – Safety 101

[photos via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family