In any department store or supermarket, an interested consumer can purchase cosmetic products of various manufacturers: anti-aging creams and serums, shampoos and hair conditioners, soap of any of many varieties and types, scrubs, masks and gels. On the label of each of these products you can find inscriptions on the immense benefits of the natural ingredients that make up the product. However, even with “90% natural raw materials” or “99% organic”, all of these cosmetics contain many potentially dangerous ingredients, including preservatives and surfactants.
Thus, natural herbal cosmetics that you can create with your own hands in the kitchen will always be not only more economical, but also healthier than its purchased counterparts. You can independently select herbs and other organic ingredients to care for a particular type of skin or to treat specific skin problems. Replacing one ingredient with another, you can easily prepare a variety of products to maintain beauty and health.
note
Since natural cosmetics on herbs do not contain chemical preservatives, its shelf life is much shorter than that of commercial products. To reduce the risk of spoiling such funds, follow simple rules:
- keep the equipment and containers clean;
- Avoid immersing your fingers directly in the product - use brushes, sponges and other accessories;
- prepare cosmetics in small portions;
- keep homemade compounds in the refrigerator.
Herbal Facial Scrub
Experts recommend using a scrub once a week to speed up the process of exfoliating dead cells and stimulate blood circulation. A light exfoliant will give the face a radiance and incredible softness. However, special care should be taken when treating sensitive skin with a scrub: movements should be slow and accurate. Even natural cosmetics on herbs (photo below) can damage the skin if applied improperly or if applied too often.
To prepare a home exfoliant you will need:
- 1 part of oatmeal;
- 1/3 part of cornmeal;
- 1/3 part of dried herbs (such as calendula, lavender, peppermint, rose petals; you can also use an herbal mixture);
- almonds, clay or sugar (optional; you can use one of these ingredients or all together in the total amount of one tablespoon).
Cooking scrub
- Combine oatmeal, cornmeal , herbs and almonds, clay or sugar in a clean coffee grinder.
- Grind the mixture into powder (can be ground with a pestle and mortar).
- Store the scrub in a tightly closed container in a cool dry month. Shelf life - up to three months.
- How to use: Pour some of the mixture into your palm. Add water to make a paste. Apply the composition evenly on the face, avoiding the area around the eyes. Gently massage the scrub into the skin in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly.
Mask for dry skin
Unlike commercial products, only natural herbal cosmetics can boast of versatility. At home, you can create almost any composition suitable for any skin type and capable of curing specific problems. So, a face mask can be an organic emollient and have unique moisturizing properties or, on the contrary, tighten the skin.
To prepare a moisturizing mask for dry skin, it is enough to first look into the refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. Many fruits and dairy products contain beneficial alpha hydroxy acids. In addition, natural herbal cosmetics often include ingredients such as eggs, aloe vera, pumpkin pulp, and cocoa powder (unsweetened). To nourish dry skin, add avocado, coconut or olive oil, cream, egg yolks, honey, oatmeal, milk powder, natural yogurt to masks .
For example, you can use the following composition:
- 2 tablespoons of thick natural yogurt;
- 1 egg yolk or 1 tablespoon of liquid honey;
- a few drops of olive or coconut oil.
Making a mask for dry skin
- Combine yogurt, egg yolk or honey, olive or coconut oil in a small bowl.
- Use a cotton pad or ball to apply a mask to your face. Avoid the area around the eyes. Leave the mixture on your face for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse the mask thoroughly with warm water, then rinse your face with cool water.
Mask for oily skin
If your hobby is natural cosmetics on herbs (many girls prefer to create miraculous products with their own hands), and the skin on the face is fatty, choose ingredients with constricting or tonic properties: green clay, apple cider vinegar, bananas, orange or cranberry juice, egg whites, strawberries, witch hazel. After mixing, the components of such a mask do not remain uniform for long, so throw away the remains without regret.
In addition to herbal masks, fruit compounds have an excellent effect. To prepare such a mixture you will need:
- 1 ripe banana;
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or orange (lemon) juice.
Cooking masks for oily skin
- Combine the banana pulp, egg white and vinegar (or juice) in a blender. Beat until a smooth paste is obtained.
- Use a cotton ball or disc to apply a mask to your skin. Avoid eye contour.
- Wash off the mask with warm water after 10-15 minutes. Rinse your face with cool water.
An ideal additional herbal component to any face mask is dried lavender.
Hair conditioner
If you are not sure how to properly prepare natural cosmetics on herbs, for hair use ingredients that are the same for all types. An excellent choice is nettle, calendula, rosemary, sage. The addition of vinegar or lemon juice will help restore the natural pH of the hair. It is noteworthy that the specific smell of vinegar disappears very quickly.
Rinse aid composition:
- 1 teaspoon of dried or a handful of fresh herbs (laurel, calendula, rosemary, Roman chamomile, dandruff - nettle);
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
Rinse aid preparation
- Place herbs in a bowl and pour a glass of boiling water.
- Add vinegar or lemon juice and insist under the lid for 10-15 minutes.
- Squeeze, cool the infusion to room temperature and rinse it with hair just washed with shampoo. Like other natural cosmetics on herbs, the infusion is not subject to storage, therefore it is necessary to prepare it in an amount sufficient for one rinse.