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DIY Nourishing Natural Skin Care

by Mary Beth Janssen
A young women smiles

Image courtesy of mdavidwole

In anticipation of our Annual Skin Care Guide, which comes out in July and is available through October, Marybeth Janssen, our Organic Wellness Expert, shares some of her favorite DIY skincare recipes with you!

The Milky Way

The professionals at the Flying Beauticians Skin Care Salon in San Francisco have come up with a home version of their in-salon facial called “The Milky Way.”

It’s divinely nourishing for the skin. The minerals in the chocolate have a calming effect; the polyphenols (antioxidants) thwart cell aging; and the decadent aroma releases feel-good endorphins. Lavender oil is calming, balancing and moisturizing for the skin. The milk, egg yolk and honey are moisturizing and nutritive. The lactic acid in milk has gentle exfoliating properties. Egg yolks are high in carotenoids (antioxidants). Consider omega-3-enriched eggs for an extra anti-inflammatory boost.

Step 1

1/2 cup warm milk
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil

Step 2

1/2 cup  semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, honey and lavender oil. Apply to the face with your fingertips, using upward and outward movements. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

2. In a separate bowl, heat the chocolate chips in the microwave just to the melting point. Then mix in the honey and egg yolk. (Or, melt the chocolate in a double  boiler over barely simmering water before adding the honey and egg yolk.) Slather this mixture onto your skin and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse off completely with warm water.

Here’s a lovely toner that you can make yourself:

Gentle Rose Water Toner

Rose essential oils are magnificent for mature skin. My favorite toner is actually rose water, a centuries-old secret for glowing skin. You can find rose water at natural foods stores as well as most Middle Eastern food stores. Or, try the following simple recipe, using rose otto essential oil—particularly beneficial for dry, mature skin.

4 drops rose otto essential oil
1 cup purified water

In a misting bottle, mix the essential oil and purified water and refrigerate. Shake before using. Mist over cleansed skin, or dampen a cotton pad with the rose water and whisk over your skin in gentle upward, outward movements. You can do this over your face and body at intervals throughout the day.

Also, consider the following toner for its clarifying, purifying and cooling effect on the skin. If your acne is severe, you should also see an experienced skin-care professional:

Acne-Clarifying Toner 

3 to 5 drops peppermint, tea tree, lemon or lemongrass essential oil
1 cup purified or distilled water

Combine the essential oil and water in a container with a lid. Shake thoroughly and let the mixture sit for 24 hours. Strain it through an organic paper coffee filter, pour into a clean spray bottle, and spray your face after cleansing or to simply freshen the skin at any point throughout the day.

Connect with Mary Beth @cosmicdenmother

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