Keeping our skin, hair and nails looking good can take a lot of time and effort. A beauty regimen that helps to keep us looking and feeling good is important.
But it can be expensive in more ways than one.
First there is the cost of products (the beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar business). Then, there is the cost to our bodies.
Most beauty products are not your typical home ingredients. In fact, quite the opposite. Look at some hectic sounding chemical names found in beauty ingredients:
- Methyl, Butyl, Propyl, Ethyl Paraben
- Propylene Glycol
- Synthetic colors
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Synthetic Colors
- Synthetic fragrances
- Triethanolamine
- Diethanolamine
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Behentrimonium Chloride, and more.
Pretty scary isn’t it. These toxins and chemicals in commercial beauty products can do plenty of harm to your body.
If the thought of putting these chemicals on your skin and hair makes you shudder, the good news is there are alternatives. And most of these are natural ingredients you probably have at home. Don’t under-estimate how effective these natural, common ingredients can be.
Here are some natural ingredients that have the capacity to make your skin glow and hair shine. They work from from inside and out:
- Olive oil
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Green Tea
- Honey
- Oatmeal
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Tomatoes
Let’s take a closer look at how some of these, plus other home ingredients, can be used in your beauty routine.
1. Olive Oil
This wonderful oil is not only to consume and cook with. It is an ancient ingredient used for a long time for its beautifying abilities. When it comes to beauty, olive oil benefits your hair, skin and nails.
Olive oil has monounsaturated fatty acids to protect your skin from sun damage.
To enhance your hair, skin and overall health, add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to your diet, period. The best type is extra virgin olive oil for highest purity and quality.
2. Avocados
It makes no difference whether it’s the fruit, the seed or the oil, avocados need to form part of your beauty routine. If you have dry skin, they are particularly beneficial.
When you eat half an avocado every day when in season, you are protecting your skin. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology did a study in 2012. The report found that taking regular doses of avocado, bolsters cells to protect them against harmful free radicals.
3. Green Tea
There are many health and beauty benefits when it comes to green tea (read about green tea health benefits).
First of all, it has plenty of antioxidants to prevent free-radical damage from harming your skin caused by sun damage.
Green tea also helps to fight against you getting skin cancer.
Use this fantastic face mask a couple of times a week to hold back time and keep your skin healthy.
Mix together:
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ground green tea leaves
- Pinch of turmeric powder
Smooth over your face and neck. Leave for about 20 minutes before using lukewarm water to rinse off.
4. Lemons
We all know how many beauty secrets lemons have. They are full of vitamin C and brimming with antioxidants to prevent free-radical damage. Lemons have the ability to boost collagen production in your skin, restoring elasticity.
As far as hair goes, lemons combat itchy scalp and dandruff. They work by balancing PH levels of your scalp and supporting beautiful hair growth.
For beautiful hair, take 2 lemons, adding the juice to a cup of water. After shampooing, rinse your hair with this, and then 5 minutes later, with clear water. Do this about twice a week for soft shimmering hair.
5. Coconut Oil
There are heaps of nutrients found in this oil that support hair health, skin and nail health. Coconut oil is moisture rich and works to protect skin from sun damage, reduce inflammation and revitalize your skin.
The oil penetrates deep into your hair, helping with its growth, gloss, and health. And for hair that has been chemically treated, coconut oil is super healing because of its hydrophobicity (water repelling) properties.
For your skin, you can smooth coconut oil all over the body before showering. Wait about 30 minutes, pop under the shower, and then apply a light moisturizer afterward.
Doing this daily guarantees your skin won’t be dry. If it is still dry even after a shower, apply a light layer of coconut oil on your skin.
6. Honey
Honey is the natural beautifier, healer, and tonic for the body. Composed mainly of glucose and fructose, there are amazing proteins, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and plenty to offer. All these components help to keep your skin and hair in peak condition.
Raw organic honey even improves seborrhea dermatitis of the hair, preventing hair loss when applied on a weekly basis.
For hair loss, take 2 tablespoons each of onion juice and honey and massage into your scalp. Leave on the scalp for about 30 minutes. Then shampoo as usual.
For your skin, combine equal amounts of fresh lemon and honey. Apply to your face and neck, allowing it to dry naturally before rinsing.
7. Oats
Oats help to exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dead skin cells and make a superb skin scrub. They can also help with dandruff, itching and combating hair loss. For acne prone skin, oats help to reduce breakouts by soaking away the oil.
Try this soothing hair mask.
Combine:
- ½-cup oats
- 1-2 tablespoons almond oil
- ¼ -½ cup milk
Mix all ingredients well, and comb your hair well ensuring no tangles. Apply from the roots to your tips, leaving on for about 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps to treat dandruff on the scalp. The acidity makes it difficult for dandruff producing fungus to develop.
All you have to do is mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle. After shampooing, spray over the scalp, leaving for about 15 minutes before rinsing. Do this twice a week to see amazing results.
If your hair is thinning and you experience hair loss, spray ACV over the scalp. It will help the PH balance of your scalp and reduce hair loss.
Your skin is the body’s largest organ. Your hair is your crowning glory. So it makes sense to try and give them the best in attention and care.
Being aware of what you put into and on your body is important. Don’t punish your body with toxic stuff that gets absorbed by your skin and scalp. Consider natural products and ingredients, like those listed above. Your skin and hair will feel and look just as good, without the nasties.
