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healing ways
Natural Beauty Homemade Solutions for Glowing Skin by April Thompson Skin, our largest organ, plays an important role in supporting and protecting the rest of the body. That’s why it should be treated kindly by using natural, chemicalfree ingredients. Many U.S. beauty products contain hidden chemicals, including dozens of ingredients that are banned in other counties. Even products labeled “organic” or “natural” can contain potentially harmful petrochemicals, according to the Environmental Working Group.
or salt and adding an edible oil such as almond, plus a few drops of an essential oil. Essential oils should be diluted—add only six to 12 drops per ounce of finished product. Her favorites are lavender, tea tree, sweet orange and frankincense. Lemon, lime and bergamot are phototoxic and can cause sensitivity if added to any scrub before sun exposure.
“Scrubs are wonderful for softening, soothing and exfoliating the skin,” Tourles says, cautioning that salt scrubs can sting if applied after shaving or waxing. Other common ingredients that can be added are oats, almonds or sunflower seeds A natural skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Balms, ground in a coffee grinder. When mixed masks, scrubs and toners can be made from healthy, everyday products already with water, cream or yogurt, they offer present in most homes. “Oats, yogurt, coconut oil, honey: there are many kitchen a moisturizing facial treatment. staples that you can easily use in your skincare routine,” says Marlene Adelmann, Tourles loves homemade body balms usfounder of the Herbal Academy, in Bedford, Massachusetts, and author of Botanical ing oil and a thickener such as cocoa butSkin Care Recipe Book. ter or beeswax. “Balms are easy to make, As an example, face masks can be made with ingredients from the spice rack, includ- great for kids and good for dry cuticles ing turmeric and black pepper. “One-ingredient treatments, like a honey or yogurt and lips. You don’t have to worry about mask, feel so good and are easy to make,” says Stephanie Gerber, the Nashville ingredients spoiling. They condition the author of Hello Glow: 150+ Easy Natural Beauty Recipes for A Fresh New You. skin and smell great,” she says. Facial, body and foot scrubs are great beginner creations, according to Stephanie In harsher weather, skin requires a little Tourles, author of Pure Skin Care: Nourishing Recipes for Vibrant Skin & Natural extra TLC. Tourles suggests a hydrating Beauty. The Marble Falls, Texas, esthetician recommends starting with a base of sugar winter toner made with a 50/50 mix of
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November 2020 | New York City – Long Island
