Natural beauty treatments have become more popular for a lot of good reasons. They don’t contain the dyes, perfumes and chemicals found in many commercially made beauty products, and they’re also inexpensive and less likely to make your skin break out in an angry rash.
If you’re ready to add what nature has to offer to your beauty regime, here are seven natural, effective and easy DIY beauty treatments you may even be able to try today after checking your cupboards!
1. Moisturizer: Here Comes The Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has become an incredibly popular ingredient in the natural beauty industry, and for good reason. This island oil has been shown to help with dry skin and act as a natural sunscreen, as well as protecting your hair against damage. It also has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties and is packed with iron and vitamins E and K.
You don’t have to do anything fancy to the coconut oil; the jar you buy is ready to use as a natural moisturizer for your entire body and even your face. There is obviously a tropical smell, so if that bugs you, you can add two or three drops of an essential oil you favor to tone it down. A very small amount of this oil will go a long way, so go easy with the application at first. One jar should last you months, making this a great alternative to the expensive moisturizers out there today.
2. Conditioner: Just A Banana And Avocado Will Do
One fast, natural way to soften your hair is by taking half an avocado and a banana and simply mashing them together. With your hair dry, comb the banana-avocado mixture through it, put on a plastic shower cap, and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Once your time is up, rinse your hair with cool water.
The potassium in the banana and the fatty acids in the avocado work wonderfully together to make your hair look healthy and shiny. Combing it into dry hair can be a challenge, but when your hair is dry, it’s better able to absorb those nutrients. Take your time when working this mix into your hair so you don’t cause any unnecessary breakage.
3. Mask: The Traditional Egg Approach
Although it’s not the neatest approach, you can use a simple egg mask to tighten and help reduce the appearance of your pores. Simply combine one egg white with a teaspoon of cornstarch, whip the combo together until it froths, and apply it to your face. Leave this mixture on until it dries, which usually takes about 20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. To help reduce dripping, get into a horizontal position while the mask is drying.
4. Toner: “A” Is For Apple Cider Vinegar
Toner isn’t part of everyone’s routine, but you can add a natural one to yours on occasion to keep your skin clear and more even in appearance. Take some fresh parsley—about a handful worth—and put into your French press. Cover the parsley with one half-cup of boiling water, and let the water and herbs sit for about ten minutes.
Next, plunge and allow the liquid to completely cool before using. If you don’t have a press, you can soak the parsley in the water in a mason jar, and then strain the liquid thoroughly.
Put your parsley water into a spray bottle. Add four drops of tea tree oil for its antiseptic properties, and just a splash of apple cider vinegar. Shake the bottle well, and then spray your face with it. This toner can be kept in the refrigerator, making it a great refresher in the hot summer months. Note that apple cider vinegar is acidic, so using too much can cause your skin to react or become dry. Take a break if you notice your skin is becoming red, dry or raw.
5. Exfoliator: Almonds Add Grit
A lot of masks and facial cleaners available today have micro-beads, which can exfoliate your skin but are really bad for the environment. These beads tend to slip right through water treatment systems and often end up in oceans and lakes, soaking up toxins. Since the beads are small and resemble fish eggs, they sometimes end up being eaten by marine life in these bodies of water, which ultimately means these toxic beads will enter the human food supply.
Luckily, you don’t need to rub plastic beads on your face to exfoliate your skin and get a good, even complexion. Both nuts and fruits are all-natural and effective cleaners and exfoliators. For a quick and easy clarifying mask, mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of finely ground almonds with an egg white.
Apply this combo to your face, and leave it on for about 20 minutes. When your time is up, massage your face in a circular motion for about 60 seconds, and then rinse it off with warm water. Massage gently and don’t over-rub, as that can irritate your skin.
6. Manicure: The “Finger Food” Way
To do a natural manicure, all you need is five grapes and one tablespoon of sugar. Both green and red grapes work, but note the red varieties have more antioxidants that are good for your skin. The sugar naturally removes dead skin, and the gentle acid in the grapes help increase that effect.
Take the grapes and slice each one in half width-wise. Pick up one half and gently dip its fleshy side into your sugar. Use the sugar-coated side to massage all the skin around your nail for about 30 seconds, and repeat on each finger using a new and just-dipped grape half. Remove any excess sugar with a towel, and rub hand cream or grape seed oil onto your cuticles and hands to get the full manicure experience.
7. UV Mask: Blueberries And Yogurt To The Rescue
If you’re concerned about sun damage, you can use a blueberry and yogurt mask to help repair your facial skin. The lactic acid in yogurt will work to exfoliate the sun-damaged skin layers, and the vitamins C and E in the berries will help nourish and moisturize skin.
Take ten blueberries and mash them with your spoon, or put them through a food processor. Then, add one tablespoon of plain yogurt to the berries and mix well. Spread this mask on your face, and leave on for about 15 minutes before removing it with cool water.
Treat your new natural beauty treatments just as you would conventional ones; make them a habit instead of something you do when you’re bored or out of your usual product. Natural methods can produce the same results as commercial ones but without the high cost or the toxins, so start treating your body right, and get on board the natural beauty trend train!
