Beauty products right from your own home
Story by Leslie Peck / Photo by Getty Images
COCONUT OIL
Always buy 100% raw coconut oil. This is one of the most versatile ingredients to hydrate the skin, hair and nails. Use as a makeup remover, including waterproof makeup. Apply coconut oil daily to dry, cracked skin before you go to bed to hydrate cuticles, feet, elbows and lips. If you struggle with dry scalp and dandruff, massage a generous amount of coconut oil into the scalp, place a shower cap over your hair, leave it on for at least an hour, and then shampoo and condition your hair as usual, making sure to get all the oil off the scalp. You can also work the coconut oil onto all of your hair from root to tip for hydrated, shiny hair. Do this once a week or once a month to hydrate your scalp and hair.
WITCH HAZEL
This ingredient is from the witch hazel shrub grown in North America. It has potent astringent properties and has been used by Native Americans for years. Witch hazel is very versatile and extremely affordable. Always look for 100%, non-diluted witch hazel. This anti-inflammatory and antibacterial solution helps with facial cleansing, acne, ingrown hairs, removing odor, hemorrhoid relief, rashes, insect bites and disinfecting wounds. You can even give your dog a spa day and clean it’s ears with witch hazel.
ALOE
This miraculous plant is known to reduce inflammation, fight bacteria and hydrate the skin. When I was growing up in the desert in Arizona, aloe was used regularly and grown everywhere. When I had any kind of wound as a kid, my grandma would snip an aloe leaf, filet it with a knife and tape it right to the area of concern. There were no store-bought antibacterial ointments in that house. Aloe works wonders for sunburn, helps calm eczema and psoriasis, takes the itch out of bug bites, helps with acne and hydrates anything and everything. It is best when used fresh. Always cut the leaf close to the bottom of the stem and use a clean knife — versus a garden tool — to filet it open.
CUCUMBER
Cucumbers are full of vitamin K and C, quite inexpensive and known for their hydration and ability to sooth and calm puffy eyes. Did you know they can also help fight acne? Grate up a cucumber, place it on your face, chest or back and leave for 15-20 minutes to reduce acne. Cucumbers are a great source of hydration for the inside or the outside of your body. Incorporate them regularly into your diet for radiant skin.
CASTOR OIL
Castor oil is one of the first known all natural lash serums. Adding a couple of drops to your lashes before going to sleep can promote healthy follicles and increase the strength and length of your lashes. It will take some time to notice a difference, so be patient.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV is one of nature’s gifts that has multiple uses. It can help to balance your skin’s PH, heal and disinfect skin and keep hair healthy. Create a mouthwash with ACV, salt and warm water to prevent cavities and plaque and fight bad breath. Mix with olive oil and treat your hair regularly to have healthy, shiny hair. ACV used with tea tree oil and water can be massaged into the scalp to soothe dandruff. ACV combined with water can help with sunburn and acne. Always mix AVC with other natural ingredients. It is too potent to be used solo.
