Mother Nature is the expert beautician, providing us with nourishing and non-toxic ingredients that won't harm our health. When we apply beauty products it's crucial we give thought to the ingredients, as they can have a massive effect on our internal health as well as the external.
When buying and applying beauty products, many people tend to forget that our skin is permeable and absorbs whatever we put on it. I'd guess most of us have at some point experienced adverse reactions to commercial beauty products, such as spots from clogged pores, skin rashes, dryness, itchiness, burning, etc, but those things are really the least of our worries. The chemicals contained in these popular brands we're so fond of are extremely toxic, are absorbed right into our bloodstreams, and can result in serious health conditions that most people would never dream could be linked to a topical product. But the truth is not only can chemicals affect the surface of our skin, they can also affect our hormones, immune systems, nervous systems, reproductive systems, liver, brain, heart... everything!!!
This includes all commercial make-up, moisturisers, lotions, soaps & handwash, shower gel, bubble bath, shampoo & conditioner, hair dyes, hair sprays/gels/mousse/wax/serums, perfumes & sprays, suncreams, spot/blemish creams, deodorants, mouthwash, make-up remover, anti-wrinkle creams, nail varnish, fake tan, face masks, face wipes, and so on... you get the idea.
So, rather than continuing to use these harmful products, it might be time to seriously think about replacing them with natural products. This is exactly what I've done and I've never had better skin, better hair, better health. I used to be practically addicted to commercial products, never giving a thought to the ingredients as I was too focused on trying to enhance my appearance. I literally couldn't do without them, and if ever I was away from home I had to bring a big vanity case with me packed full of all my favourite products! It took me at least 2 hours each morning to 'get ready', and was actually quite a burden in my life. But despite all my efforts and money spent, my skin was terrible - oily yet with very dry patches, prone to spots and blemishes, I looked 'shiny' all the time (with or without make-up).
But now, after 4 years of only putting natural ingredients into and onto my body, I have the best skin of my life. I was even able to be brave enough to post this scary close-up (eek!), just to show you how healthy my skin looks now:
This is a very easy and simple moisturiser anyone can make at home, using ingredients you can easily obtain at your local chemist, health food store or online, and cost a fraction of what you'd spend on commercial beauty products. These ingredients usually last for ages and can be used to make many different beauty products, so definitely worth buying. I love this moisturiser as not only does it leave your skin feeling soft and nourished, it's also easily absorbed, and smells amazing due to the cocoa butter!
What you will need:
2 tblsp cocoa butter
2 tblsp shea butter
1 tblsp coconut oil
1 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp aloe vera
10 drops patchouli essential oil (optional)
5 drops honeysuckle essential oil (optional)
Method:
Measure out the shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil, and put into a small glass bowl.
Fill a pan with boiling water and sit the glass bowl into it as a bain-marie (water bath or double-boiler). On low heat, stir the butters & oil until they are all melted (5 minutes), then remove the glass bowl from the pan.
Stir in the vitamin E oil, olive oil, aloe vera and essential oils, if using.
Pour the mixture into a clean container, and pop it into the fridge to set
After about an hour, take the moisturiser out of the fridge and whip it up thoroughly using a teaspoon, or the handle of a teaspoon. This will make it nice and creamy.
Pop it back into the fridge for another hour or until it's cool and firm. You don't have to store it in the fridge unless you live somewhere really hot, but keeping it in a cool place should suffice. You can apply it anywhere on your body - I use it mainly for my hands in dry or cold weather, and I use a tiny amount as a face moisturiser every morning.
It also makes a wonderful homemade gift if you put it in an attractive container or tie a ribbon around the pot.
If you enjoyed this post please follow me for more tips on making natural beauty products, as well as healthy recipes for homemade snacks and meals.
Many thanks.
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