Sometimes all it takes to start a green beauty routine is to take a few steps to your kitchen shelves or pantry. Here are some amazing ingredients you are bound to find...
1. Vegetable glycerin
This is a commonly available humectant that locks up moisture in your skin by attracting water molecules from the outside environment. Vegetable glycerin can be used in any homemade skin preparations, and it's a great addition to any ready-made body lotion. Look for kosher grade vegetable glycerin, ideally made from organically grown, non-GMO plants.
2. Epsom salt
An excellent base for a coarse body exfoliating scrub, Epsom salt can tighten and purify skin when dissolved in a warm, relaxing bath. It does wonders to your mind as it draws toxins from your body. Buy magnesium-rich Epsom salt in large bags and make a lifting, detoxifying salty bath your numero uno beauty treatment before an important date or simply before a night out!
3. Witch hazel
A gorgeous multitasker available from any grocery store will refresh your senses in a traffic jam, will sanitize your hands after any contact with germs, zap zits when applied directly onto skin, and will combat body odors when carried around in a handy small spray bottle, best if blended with a couple of drops of sandal wood and petit grain essential oils.
4. Cocoa
Organic, fair-trade cocoa makes a nerve-soothing drink and a color-reviving mask for dark hair. Add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of olive oil for a truly nourishing salon hair pack at home.
5. Green tea extract
If you choose just one skin cancer preventative, make it green tea extract. Catechins from green tea are proven to ward off free radicals that cause DNA mutations in skin cells and they work well when applied topically and taken internally. So for ultimate UV protection add purified green tea extract to your body lotion and sip green ice tea any time you plan to sun bathe! Besides, green tea phytochemicals are known to combat acne and ease the misery of eczema.
6. Castile soap
Saponified olive oil makes a versatile face, body, and hair cleanser. Castile soap with its centuries-tested formulation that is low in alkali and based upon antioxidant-rich olive oil is more skin-friendly than any other green foaming cleanser.
7. Lemons
Rub them to correct self-tanning mistakes; squeeze them into your palms to make a super-quick rinse for light hair. Blend some lemon juice and brown sugar for a super-quick and super-cheap pedicure - simply rub your toes and heels and let the lemon juice dissolve pesky dead skin cells.
8. Yeast
Simply mix some with water to make a paste and apply to your face for a lifting, nourishing, purifying dose of all-natural vitamin B6.
9. Brown sugar
Brown fine sugar makes a cheap, effective, and non-irritating body exfoliating base. With sugar, you can rub the scrub into your skin really hard without fear of damaging the outer skin layer. As you rub the sugar into your skin, tiny crystals melt in water or oil so that the pressure gets milder as you continue rubbing. This minimizes the risk of irritation. Besides, sugar has a proven anti-inflammatory action, which makes it safe for use even on body acne and eczema.
10. Extra virgin organic olive oil
This is an ultimate green skin treatment. Use it as massage oil, with an added drop or two of your favourite essential oil. Use it as a cellulite treatment, with added horsetail powder, caffeine or chestnut extract. Use it as a base for body scrub, with added fine brown sugar and a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. Wipe your eye makeup with olive oil, use it as an express manicure/pedicure, and add some shine and definition to your arms and décolleté as you mix the olive oil with some mineral glimmer to create a beautiful body shimmer for the night out. Olive oil has so many gorgeous uses!
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