Though it has been one of the mildest winters we can remember here in Maryland, this dry cold weather is still doing a number on our skin! Skin is dry, chapped, all over uneven, & not smooth. So we decided to feature some of our favorite homemade skin care treatments we make in the winter to help ease our skin into spring & wearing more skin bearing spring clothes! Here are some of our favorites:
Sweet Mint Sugar Scrub - This scrub will help to rid that top layer
of dry skin & allow for hydration & smooth skin!
Ingredients:
•3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
•1/4 to 1/2 cup raw cold pressed olive oil
•5-8 drops mint essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients & stir well until the sugar is moist. Package in a mason jar. Massage gently into dry skin area. We love to use this scrub on elbows & hands! Rinse with warm water, pat dry, & hydrate well with an all-natural chemical-free lotion or oil. We love using coconut oil as a moisturizer or msm lotion when we want a glow! Cacao butter is also nice when you want to smell scrumptious! It's also on sale right now at www.NaturalZing.com.
Vanilla Bean Sugar Scrub - Another great sugar scrub which is soothing after a stressful day, smells great, is super relaxing & really helps to exfoliate those dead skin cells!
Ingredients:
•1 1/2 cups vanilla scented sugar (see recipe below)
•3/4 cup celtic sea salt
•1 cup raw, organic coconut oil
•1 - 2 tablespoons of dried lavender buds, optional
Directions: Make the vanilla sugar ahead of time as instructed in the recipe (see below). Combine the sugar & salt in a medium bowl. Add the oil and stir until moistened. If desired, add the lavender buds & stir to combine. Alternatively, you may add a few drops of an essential oil that pairs well with vanilla for different scent combinations (i.e. vanilla mint, lemon vanilla, etc.).
Vanilla Scented Sugar Recipe - A great way to get another use out of leftover vanilla bean pods.
Ingredients:
Directions: Layer sugar & vanilla beans (you can slice them in half for smaller jars and for stronger scents) in a jar. Let sit for at least 24 hours for the sugar to become scented. Sugar can be used in recipes, tea, or anything else you'd want a lightly flavored natural sugar for. Makes a perfect, simple & inexpensive gift. Variations: Use citrus peels, herbs or rose petals for other scented sugar options. You can also adjust the number of vanilla bean pods you use to make the vanilla sugar to vary the strength of the vanilla scent.
Oatmeal & Onion Puree Face Mask - For anyone who suffers from acne we've noticed this has a great effect on your skin & really helps generate clear skin. And it uses two simple ingredients that are kitchen staples - Oatmeal: which is known to help clogged pores, & Onions: which are known to be anti-inflammatory. (Adapted from the Green Beauty Guide.)
Ingredients:
•1 ounce purified mineral water
•3 tablespoons raw, organic oats
•1 medium onion, peeled
Directions: Boil water & pour over oatmeal, letting steep for five minutes. Finely grind onion in a food processor, making a smooth puree. Add to the oatmeal while still warm. If the mask is not thick enough, add some raw honey or green clay until the mask is thick enough to sit comfortably on your face. The solution will stay fresh for one week in the refrigerator.
Aromatherapy Hot Oil Hair Mask - We use this hair mask monthly to bring back the shine, plus the essential oils are like a aromatherapy treatment for the mind & spirit!
Ingredients:
•6 tbsp. raw organic coconut oil, or raw avocado oil
•3 drops rosemary essential oil
•2 drops tea tree essential oil
•2 drops lavender essential oil
Directions: Pour all ingredients into a bottle or mason jar & mix. Use oil sparingly on dry hair. Massage oil in, then cover your head with warm towel for 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Try this hair mask monthly & you will see a difference!
Ingredients:
•3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
•1/4 to 1/2 cup raw cold pressed olive oil
•5-8 drops mint essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients & stir well until the sugar is moist. Package in a mason jar. Massage gently into dry skin area. We love to use this scrub on elbows & hands! Rinse with warm water, pat dry, & hydrate well with an all-natural chemical-free lotion or oil. We love using coconut oil as a moisturizer or msm lotion when we want a glow! Cacao butter is also nice when you want to smell scrumptious! It's also on sale right now at www.NaturalZing.com.
Vanilla Bean Sugar Scrub - Another great sugar scrub which is soothing after a stressful day, smells great, is super relaxing & really helps to exfoliate those dead skin cells!
Ingredients:
•1 1/2 cups vanilla scented sugar (see recipe below)•3/4 cup celtic sea salt
•1 cup raw, organic coconut oil
•1 - 2 tablespoons of dried lavender buds, optional
Directions: Make the vanilla sugar ahead of time as instructed in the recipe (see below). Combine the sugar & salt in a medium bowl. Add the oil and stir until moistened. If desired, add the lavender buds & stir to combine. Alternatively, you may add a few drops of an essential oil that pairs well with vanilla for different scent combinations (i.e. vanilla mint, lemon vanilla, etc.).
Vanilla Scented Sugar Recipe - A great way to get another use out of leftover vanilla bean pods.
Directions: Layer sugar & vanilla beans (you can slice them in half for smaller jars and for stronger scents) in a jar. Let sit for at least 24 hours for the sugar to become scented. Sugar can be used in recipes, tea, or anything else you'd want a lightly flavored natural sugar for. Makes a perfect, simple & inexpensive gift. Variations: Use citrus peels, herbs or rose petals for other scented sugar options. You can also adjust the number of vanilla bean pods you use to make the vanilla sugar to vary the strength of the vanilla scent.
Ingredients:
•1 ounce purified mineral water
•3 tablespoons raw, organic oats
•1 medium onion, peeled
Directions: Boil water & pour over oatmeal, letting steep for five minutes. Finely grind onion in a food processor, making a smooth puree. Add to the oatmeal while still warm. If the mask is not thick enough, add some raw honey or green clay until the mask is thick enough to sit comfortably on your face. The solution will stay fresh for one week in the refrigerator.
Ingredients:
•6 tbsp. raw organic coconut oil, or raw avocado oil
•3 drops rosemary essential oil
•2 drops tea tree essential oil
•2 drops lavender essential oil
Directions: Pour all ingredients into a bottle or mason jar & mix. Use oil sparingly on dry hair. Massage oil in, then cover your head with warm towel for 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Try this hair mask monthly & you will see a difference!
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