Beauty 0n A Budget

Homemade face masks 

Easy At-Home Beauty Treatments
Next time you stop by your local farmer's market or grocer, pick up a few extras of these spring fruits and vegetables for mixing up your own homemade skin care products! It will save you money -- and taste great.

LEMON CLEANSER FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Beauty ingredients

    1/8 cup ground almonds (A coffee grinder works well)
    2 tbs milk or cream
    1 tsp lemon juice

Combine thoroughly, and use to gently cleanse skin. Rinse well with warm water.
Skin care benefit

According to Sue Dolan, M.Ed., author of Naturally Skinsational: Rejuvenating Skin Care Recipes, lemons are a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and antioxidants. Dolan says, "A natural form of AHA such as lemon is found in many natural skin care recipes for not only the cleansing attributes but for toning and exfoliating the skin."



AVOCADO BODY MASK
Beauty ingredients

     2 avocados, thoroughly mashed into a paste
     3 tablespoons sea salt or kosher salt
     1/4 cup honey
    Grated rind of two fresh lemons, along with the juice
    1/4 cup organic coconut oil

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. (The consistency should be that of a thin sour cream.) Apply to your skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub off well with warm water. Keep unused portion in refrigerator for two to three days.
Skin care benefit

"Avocados have a treasure trove of anti-ageing attributes," gushes Dolan, including vitamins A, D and E, as well as proteins, lecithin, potassium and beta-carotene, a cancer-fighting ingredient. Dolan continues, "Avocados also are high in emollient qualities imparted by sterolins, which work to heal sun-damaged skin, scarring and reduce age spots."





STRAWBERRY DRAWING FACIAL MASK
Beauty ingredients

    1/2 cup fresh strawberries
    1 tablespoon fresh milk
    1 tablespoon rice flour or cornstarch

Mash together all ingredients to make a smooth paste. Spread over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Use twice weekly.
Skin care benefit

Strawberries contain natural antioxidants, which are known to repair skin and act as anti-ageing agents, as well as protect your skin from environmental stress. The salicylic acid in strawberries removes dead skin cells, unveiling the smooth, radiant skin below.



  APRICOT AND PAPAYA FACE SCRUB
Beauty ingredients

    1 tsp apricot kernel powder (finely grated)
    3 tbs apricot pulp
    3 tbs ripe papaya pulp (peak season is beginning of summer; end of spring if you're lucky!)

Mix all ingredients together and apply to your face and neck for 20 minutes. Gently scrub while rinsing off. "If you don't have apricot kernel powder at home, you can substitute it with oatmeal powder or almond powder."
Skin care benefit

Apricots are high in beta-carotene and known for reducing problematic skin issues. A mixture of sub-acids and sugar, apricots are great for gentle exfoliation and nourishment, leaving your skin soft and brighter.



CARROT FACIAL MASK
Beauty ingredients

    2-3 large carrots
    4 1/2 tbs honey

Cook carrots, then mash into a smooth consistency. Mix the mashed carrots with honey, and apply to your face.  Leave on for 10 minutes before rising off with cool water.
Skin care benefit

With roots in Afghanistan, carrots are known for their high potency of vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, folacin and potassium. Carrot juice moisturises and repairs skin tissue, while protecting it from sun damage and toning the skin

 face masks for dry skin

Hydrate Your Skin
If your face is dry and flaky, use one of these face masks that you can make at home. These home-made facial masks will hydrate, nourish and rejuvenate your dry skin.


Avocado almond face mask
 

Ingredients

    1 small avocado
    12 drops of almond oil

Directions

    Remove avocado skin and pit.
    Mash avocado in a small bowl with almond oil.
    Smooth the mixture over your face and neck.
    Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

  Yoghurtcitrus facial mask
 

Ingredients

    1 Tbsp brewer's yeast
    1/2 Tbsp plain yoghurt
    1 tsp lemon juice
    1 tsp carrot juice
    2 tsp olive oil

Directions

    Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
    Smooth the mask over your entire face.
    Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with cool water.