 We
all look at the glamorous models on our TV screen with
a tinge (ok, a stab) of envy. That flawless skin, the
glowing radiance...not a spot, blackhead or dark circle
in sight. And the feeling intensifies as you think of
all the time, care and exclusive skin care products that
must have gone into achieving that …which in your
48-hour day, is impossible to squeeze in.
We have the answer to just that problem: An A - Z of
the most common skin care problems, with remedies using
ingredients in your home. Replenish your skin with natures
best. You'll enjoy the freshness of the ingredients
that commercial products can't offer, and will be sure
what you are putting on your skin!
Note: most recipes require refrigeration, since they
don't have any preservatives. Shelf life is approximately
a week.
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Acne
Strawberries and/or strawberry leaves used in a poultice
are recommended as an herbal remedy for acne. Egyptians
discovered that applying wetted leaves improved the complexion.
Orange peel is also very effective. Grind the peel with
a little water and apply the paste on the blemishes. Rinse
off when dry
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Bath Secret
Pour a cup of powdered milk in your bath water. The
lactic acid in the milk will remove any dry and dead
skin and leave you feeling baby soft.
Blackheads
To erase blackheads, mix two Tbs. of oatmeal, four Tbs.
yogurt, one tablespoon lemon juice and one Tbs. of olive
oil into a paste and apply to the skin. Leave it on
for five minutes and rinse off with cold water.
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Clogged Pores
Mix four Tbs. of plain yogurt with two Tbs. of grated
orange peel. Massage into skin for three minutes. Rinse
with warm water. The yogurt exfoliates and the orange
peel extracts dirt and oils.
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Dandruff
Boil a handful of neem leaves in 600 ml water. Cool, filter
and rinse hair with it. This also arrests hair fall.
Rinsing hair with 3 Tbs. of vinegar, added to one cup
of water, also cures dandruff and an itchy scalp.
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Eye Cream
Before going to bed, apply unscented castor oil around
your eyes. Plastic surgeons use this very effective remedy
on their patients, after surgery.
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Freckles
You can't remove these but you can lighten them. Rub your
freckles with fresh cut eggplant every day. You should
see a difference in a week or so.
The more sugar that you eat, the darker your freckles
will be. This is a scientific fact. So, eliminate refined
sugar and watch your freckles fade.
Falling Hair
Apply a mixture of raw egg and olive oil to the hair to
prevent hair loss. Let it soak in for a while, then shampoo.
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Greasy skin
Raw papaya counters oiliness and is very effective for
greasy skin. Rub the inside of a papaya peel on the face
and leave on for 10 minutes. Mashed papaya pulp mixed
with a few drops of lemon juice is also an effective antidote.
Graying hair
Blend together 1 tablespoon each of amla (gooseberry)
pulp and limejuice. Massage this into the hair and leave
overnight.
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Highlights in
your hair
Green tea adds lovely red highlights to your hair. Steep
it in hot water, cool and then pour on your hair after
showering.
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Ice Skin Tightener
Before applying makeup, put an ice cube into a plastic
bag and rub it over your face. This is will tighten up
the arteries in your skin before you apply makeup, making
application smoother and longer lasting.
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Juicy Facts
Extract potato juice and cucumber juice in equal amounts.
Soak cotton wool in this and apply around the eyes. It
eliminates dark circles and refreshes the eyes.
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HONEY MOISTURIZER
Legend has it that honey and milk were Cleopatra's
beauty secrets. This mask will make your skin extremely
soft; also, try it in a bath for that all over silkiness.
Ingredients:
3 tsp honey
4 tsp. milk.
Mix the ingredients together. Apply to face, rinse
after 10 minutes with warm water.
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Keep Makeup Fresh
After applying makeup, lightly spray mineral water on
your face and let dry. Do not wipe. Makeup will stay looking
fresh longer.
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Lemon Astringent
Rub a lemon wedge all over your face. Leave for about
20 minutes, and then rinse off with cold water. The lemon
is highly refreshing; expect a little tingling action
as it dries. If you have dry skin, don't use this mask.
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Makeup Remover
Almond or sesame oil on a cotton ball will do a great
job of taking off makeup, including waterproof mascara!
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| Neem Cures
Grind neem leaves into a paste with a little water.
Apply this on pimples daily to get rid of them without
leaving scars.
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Oily, acne prone
skin
Mix a medium-size grated apple with 5 tbsp honey to make
a mask. Smooth over skin and rinse off with cool water
after 10 minutes.
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| Puffy Eyelids
Grate a raw potato and put it on your eyes and lids
for 15-20 minutes. The potato starch helps smooth and
ease away puffiness.
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Removing Redness From Blemishes
Slice a raw potato. Hold it against the spot for about
10 minutes and the redness will almost seem to disappear.
Use this method when you get a blemish that is hard
to cover up with foundation.
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Shampoo Buildup
Take a tablespoon of baking soda and massage into wet
hair, rinse and shampoo as usual. Do this weekly. It
really strips out the entire residue, leaving hair super
clean.
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Tea Bag Eye Mask
Steep two tea bags in hot water for fifteen minutes.
Wait for them to cool and place over eyes for 10 minutes.
This reduces the swelling under your eyes.
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Under-Eye circles
Peel and chop a cucumber. Put it into a blender (add
a little water if needed) and puree it. Put it in the
fridge until it's cold. Lie down and place over your
eyes for 15 minutes.
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Vitamins and Minerals
Apply vitamin E oil or cod liver oil directly to age
spots everyday to reduce coloration.
Vitamin C, B-complex and Calcium can prevent bad breath
when taken daily.
To soften tough skin cracks take extra zinc, and vitamins
A, C, D, E, and B-complex.
Take vitamins C and E to improve circulation.
Apply vitamin E to wrinkles around the eyes to reduce
puffiness.
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Wrinkle Remover
Green seedless grapes are one of the ingredients in
expensive wrinkle creams. Cut some in half and gently
crush it on your face and neck. Leave it on for twenty
minutes and rinse with tepid water. Repeat every day
and soon... those old lines will be hard to find!!
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Yellow Teeth
Dip a toothbrush in a mashed strawberry and brush vigorously
to remove yellowing and stains. Another remedy is to
mix salt with finely powdered rind of lime. Use this
as toothpowder frequently.
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Zit Zapper
Dab with lemon juice a few times a day. Dabbing some
plain white toothpaste on it also works wonders. Another
way is to saturate a tea bag in warm water and press
on affected area for 5 minutes, then rinse.
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