Natural Facial Scrub Recipes for Glowing Skin

Homemade facial scrub can help to get rid of acne and blackheads. It helps to keep your face clean and smooth. 

Facial scrub removes the dead skin cells and oil that clogs up the pores. It is well known that acne is the result of oils produced by the subcutaneous glands clogging up the pores. Facial scrub helps to remove acne and blackheads. It is necessary to use the right kind of scrub that suits your skin type. Use facial scrub once a week. Using it more frequently will make the skin dry and dull. It might even damage your skin, if it is sensitive.

Apply the scrub to your face and neck with a gentle massage. Don’t rub it too hard. Avoid it from getting into the eyes. Wash it off after 15-20 minutes. Remove all traces of the scrub from your face. Pat your face gently with a towel.

There are several recipes to make facial scrub at home. They can be made from natural ingredients and are safe. They will not cause any damage to the skin, like the scrubs available in the market which contain chemical ingredients.

Here are a few recipes for natural facial scrubs

Baking Soda Face Scrub

Mix a tbsp of baking soda with warm water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and neck. Rub the face gently with your fingers in a circular motion. Then wash your face with warm water to remove all traces of the paste and pat it dry with a towel. 

Honey

   Source: Wikimedia Commons: Emmanuel Boutet

Honey and Sugar Scrub

Honey is an excellent moisturizer. Take cup of sugar, in a bowl.  Add 4 tbsp of honey and ¼ cup of olive oil. Mix it well. Apply it to your face and neck gently. Wash it off after 15 minutes. It will not only exfoliate your skin, but will also nourish it. This scrub should not be used on sensitive skin.


Corn Meal Facial Scrub

Corn meal makes an excellent facial scrub. Take 5 tbsp of corn meal in a bowl. Squeeze some lemon juice and make a paste. Apply this to your face and neck area with a gentle massage. Wash your face with warm water after 15 minutes and pat it dry with a towel. This can also be used for sensitive skin.

Banana Facial Scrub

Take a ripe banana in a bowl. Mash it well with a fork. Add honey and lemon juice and mix it well to make a fine paste. Apply it your face and neck. Wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes and pat it dry with a towel. Banana facial scrub can be used for sensitive skin.

Regular facial scrub or exfoliation is essential to keep your facial skin clean and free from acne and blackheads. It will help to keep your skin young and healthy. 

Homemade Face Masks for Acne and Blackheads

Homemade face masks for acne and blackheads are surprisingly effective. They may succeed where everything else has failed. They are very easy to make and can be made from the ingredients available off the shelf. Several recipes for face masks are available to get rid of acne and blackheads

Cucumber

Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumber is rich in silica. Silica is very good for the health of the skin. It is used in the manufacture of several skincare products.

The benefits of cucumber are too numerous to enumerate. It is an excellent moisturizer and hydrates the skin. It also softens, cools and relaxes the skin

Cucumber Yogurt Facemask

Yogurt exfoliates the skin.  Cucumber and yogurt are an excellent combination to get rid of acne and blackheads. They moisturize the skin and open up the clogged pores and get rid of all the dirt and oil from the skin.

Recipe

1 Cucumber

½ cup of Greek yogurt

1 tbsp of milk powder

Cut cucumber into pieces and remove all the seeds. Put it in a blender. Add yogurt and milk powder. Make a thick paste.

Wash your face. Spread the paste evenly on the face and neck keeping clear of the eye area.

 Wash it off after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Cucumber Aloe Vera Facemask

Aloe Vera is very food for skincare. The combination of Aloe Vera and cucumber makes an excellent remedy for acne, blackheads and sunburn

Recipe

1 cucumber

4 tsp of Aloe Vera gel

Peel cucumber and cut it into pieces. Remove the seeds. Add Aloe Vera gel and mash it well with a fork till it becomes a paste.

Apply the paste to your face and spread it evenly. Wash it off with cold water after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Honey Face Mask

Honey has anti-microbial properties. It cleans up the clogged pores of the skin and kills the microbes to get rid of acne. I also helps to soften the skin make it glow. Just take 2 tbsp of honey and spread it on your face and neck with your fingers. Make sure that you use raw honey. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

Application of honey face mask on a regular basis 2-3 times a week will help you to get rid of acne and blackheads. As honey is an anti-oxidant, it also helps to get rid of wrinkles.

Milk, honey, yogurt and lemon face mask

2 tbsp of milk powder

2 tbsp of honey

2 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp of lemon juice

Mix it together and make a paste

Citric acid contained by lemon clears up the clogged pores of the skin. Yogurt softens the skin. Honey not only opens the pores but also kills the microbes. Together they make a very good recipe to get rid of acne and blackheads

Apply the paste obtained by mixing the above ingredients and wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process at least thrice a week

Oatmeal Face Mask

Oatmeal face mask helps to remove the dead cells as it has exfoliating properties. It also soaks up the excess oil clogging the pores and opens them up.

Using Oatmeal

Boil half a cup of oatmeal in water and allow it to cool. The resulting paste should be spread on the face and neck.  Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes and pat the face dry with a towel. Repeat it several times a week. It helps to get rid of acne and blackheads.

Oat meal can also be mixed with baking soda, egg white or tomato for the face mask.

Turmeric Face Mask

Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to remove acne and blackheads.

The ingredients

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp of milk

Mix the ingredients together and make a paste. Apply it to your face and wait for 20 minutes. Wash it off after 30 minutes when the skin begins to feel tight.

These are some of the recipes for homemade face mask to get rid of acne and blackheads.

How to Make Your Hair Thicker Using Coconut Oil

Coconut oil proves excellent nourishment for the hair and helps to make your hair thicker, soft, smooth and shiny. 

Hair loses its natural oils with exposure to sun, pollution and shampoo. Hair dryers can also dry up natural oils.  Coconut oil helps to rejuvenate and revitalize hair. It has been extensively used for hair care for thousands of years. It provides excellent nourishment for hair and hair roots. It penetrates the hair shaft and promotes the health of hair follicles. Coconut oil helps to prevent loss of protein content of the hair by shampoo. It makes hair soft and shiny. It promotes hair growth and helps to make your hair thicker.

A Rare Twin Coconut

Hair is made of dead protein filaments. The major component of hair is called keratin. The cells inside the hair follicles under the skin are the only part of hair that is alive.

It is necessary to wash your hair frequently to keep it clean. Coconut oil helps to prevent the loss of hair. It is also a very good remedy for dandruff, split ends and thinning hair. It helps to prevent baldness.

Fatty Acids

Coconut oil is a rich source of fatty acids like linoleic acid, oleic acid and caprylic acid. It is a very good emollient. It provides the necessary moisture for hair and is especially good for dry hair.

How to Use Coconut Oil

Keep the bottle of coconut oil in a glass of warm water, till the oil melts. Rub the oil gently to your scalp with a massage. Cover it with a towel before going to bed. It can be washed off with shampoo next morning.

Coconut Oil as Hair Conditioner

As coconut oil contains proteins that promote hair growth. It can be used as a hair conditioner. Massage warm coconut oil to your scalp just before shampooing. It helps hair to retain its natural oils.

Coconut Oil with Lemon

Add a few drops of lemon to coconut oil and apply it to your scalp. Wash it off after half an hour. It will help to reduce gray hair and give a darker tone to the hair. It will also help to get rid of the dandruff.

Coconut oil for Lice

It can also get rid of lice, as it can kill both adult lice and eggs. Apply warm coconut oil to hair and shampoo it after some time. Comb your hair after it is dry. Repeat the process several times.

It has excellent antimicrobial properties and is a very good remedy for scalp infections.

Coconut oil is cost effective and is the best known hair tonic available. It promotes hair growth and helps to make your hair thicker. 

Home Foot Soak Recipe

Home foot soaks with Epsom salt, vinegar and essential oils is very relaxing. It can help to clean up the feet and get rid of the bruises and heel cracks.  

Your foot is the most used part of the body as you will be on it most of the day. It carries the entire weight of the body and needs special attention. There is nothing more relaxing than a warm water foot soak at home. After you return home from a day’s hard work, watch television or relax reading a book with your feet in a basin of warm water. You require a basin large enough to hold five liters of water and deep enough to soak your feet up to your ankles.

At Home Foot Soak Normal

Take warm water in a basin large enough to hold both your feet. Add a few drops of an essential oil to it. You can massage your feet with a soft brush or pumice stone. It will not only help you to relax but will also help to get rid of the sweat and bad smell of your feet

Vinegar Foot Soak

To make the foot soak more relaxing, you can add a cup of vinegar and 2 tsp of lavender essential oil to the piping hot water in a basin. Stir it well. Cool the water till the temperature becomes bearable. Then sit on a relaxing chair at home and dip your feet.

Epsom Salt Foot Soak

Epsom salt can be used for foot soak. Add 1/2 a cup of epsom salt to basin of hot water. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil and dip your feet in it. Epson salt (magnesium sulfate) is absorbed by the skin. It relaxes the muscles and draws away toxins from the body. It also sedates the nervous system. Sprains, swelling and bruises are also reduced.

Foot Soak Athletes Foot

Vinegar foot soak is a very good remedy for athlete’s foot. Add a cup of vinegar and a cup of table salt to the water. Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and rub your feet with it. Soak your feet for 10 minutes every day for 10-15 days and the fungus will disappear.

Foot Soak for Cracked Heels

Lack of moisture results in cracked heels and dry skin. Honey is a very good moisturizer. Almond oil is very effective in healing cracked skin. It contains fatty acids and vitamin E. Add 2 tbsp of honey and 2 tbsp of almond oil to hot water. Dip your feet in water 20 minutes. It softens the skin and helps to get rid of the cracked heels.

Glycerin and Essential Oil  

Add 2-3 drops of glycerin to warm water in a large basin. Also add 2-3 drops of essential oil like lavender, eucalyptus or mint. Soak your foot for 20 minutes. Rub the cracked skin on your heels gently with a pumice stone. Apply some Vaseline to the cracked heels as it will help to hold moisture.

These are some of the recipes for home foot soak 

Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair Growth

Almond tree has origins in Asia and the Middle East. California produces largest amount of almonds in the world. It produces about 80% of the world’s supply. Almonds have a high oil content of 54%. It is widely used as medicine and also as a cosmetic. The benefits of almond oil for hair growth have been recognized by alternative systems of medicine that have been using it for thousands of years.

Almond oil is yellow tinged and provides very good nourishment to the hair. It is especially useful for people who want to grow long hair. It is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of shampoos and soaps. The shampoos and other chemical based lotions available in the market do make the hair lustrous and soft. But they damage hair in the long run. Almond oil stops hair loss and promotes its growth

Almond Varieties

There are two varieties of almonds. Only the sweet variety is used to promote health. The bitter variety is toxic.

Almonds
      Source: Wikimedia Commons: M. Verkerk

Almond oil contains

 - Vitamin A


- Vitamin D


- Vitamin B1, B2, B6


- Vitamin E


- Copper


- Manganese


- Iron


- Zinc


- Calcium

All these minerals and vitamins promote hair growth.

Almond Oil with Gooseberry

Gooseberry is also very useful in stopping hair loss and promoting hair growth. Almond oil and gooseberry can be mixed together and massaged to the scalp. The massage will also help to improve blood circulation.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Almond oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which is very good for hair. It also absorbs the dust, cleans the scalp, hair and hair follicles. Almond oil can be rubbed to the scalp before taking bath. It softens the skin and helps get rid of dandruff and reduces scalp inflammation. It would be beneficial for people suffering from dermatitis. Omega 3 fatty acids are also very good moisturizers. These fatty acids prevent the hair from drying out and falling off. Fatty acids also nourish the hair and keep it healthy. Almond oil is an emollient which soothes the skin. It has a wonderful aroma. It is a good source of proteins which strengthen and promote hair growth. The benefits of almond oil for hair growth have always been recognized over the years.

Almond oil Recipe for Hair Growth

Recipe 1

Almond oil can be mixed with other essential oils for fragrance. Add 2 drops of vanilla oil to 2 tsp of almond oil before application.

1. Wash your hair before applying almond oil. Pat it dry with a towel still leaving some moisture in the hair.   Moist hair absorbs almond oil better.

2. Take almond oil in your palms and gently massage it to our scalp

3. Cover your hair with a towel. Almond oil seeps through the hair to the roots. Wash it off with a natural shampoo after 30 minutes.

4. Repeat this process at least once a week. It will not only promote hair growth but will also make the hair soft, shiny and smooth.

Recipe 2

Combine equal amounts of almond oil, coconut oil and olive oil and lavender oil. Mix it well and apply it to your scalp with a gentle massage. Both coconut oil and olive oil stop hair loss and promote hair growth. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for fragrance.Wash it off after one hour. It can also be applied overnight and washed off next morning

Other Health Benefits of Almond oil

Almond oil improves digestion. It has analgesic properties. It is an excellent remedy for muscle pain. Apply few drops of almond oil with a gentle massage to your forehead. It will help to relieve stress and sooth the nerves. it is an excellent lubricant and can be used as a substitute for shaving cream. You can rub in a few drops of the oil on your face. It will not only get rid of acne but will also make your skin soft, smooth and shiny.                                                                                                         

Aloe Vera Benefits for Hair and Skin

Aloe vera benefits for hair and skin have been proved over the years. Aloe Vera plant has been used as a cosmetic and natural medicine for thousands of years. Aloe vera gel is an excellent remedy for minor cuts and bruises. It is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of shampoos, soaps, lotions and skin care products. Aloe vera juice is a very good remedy for stomach disorders.

Aloe Vera Plant
  Source: Eric Siversmith : Wikimedia Commons

Aloe Vera to Grow Hair

Aloe Vera promotes hair growth. It has to be applied to the scalp at night and washed off next morning. It is a time tested remedy to stop hair loss. It is also a very good remedy to treat dry and dull hair. It can be used to treat dandruff. It not only retains all the natural oils but also provides nourishment to the hair. A wide variety of aloe vera based shampoos are available in the market.


Aloe Vera for Burns

Aloe vera is a very good remedy for burns.  Wash the affected area thoroughly with water. Then remove the excess water on the wound by patting with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Cut an aloe vera leaf at its widest part. Squeeze out the gel. If the gel from one leaf is not sufficient squeeze more leaves and get the gel. Apply it directly applied to the wound. It has a soothing effect on the wound. It has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties and prevents infection.  If aloe vera leaf is not available buy aloe vera gel. Make sure that the gel is pure and does not have any additives. It is extensively used as it regenerates the skin.

Aloe Vera for Skin

Cut an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the gel. The gel

- Has excellent skin smoothening qualities

- Heals cracked skin and restores its natural beauty

- Prevents premature aging of the skin by nourishing it

- Removes dead skin cells

- Is a very good natural skin moisturizer.

- Is used as anti fungal treatment to heal fungal infections of the skin

- Is used to treat eczema

- Helps to reduce excessive pigmentation and lightens the dark spots on the skin.

- Is a very good treatment for acne and prevents its eruption

Making Aloe Vera Juice

Cut aloe vera leaf into small pieces after the removal of its spines. Put it in a blender and make juice. Some sugar can be added to it to make it taste sweet. It can be mixed with orange juice or lemon juice for better taste. Aloe vera juice is said to cure constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and several other inflammatory diseases.

Aloe vera shampoo can be made at home. Besides the aloe vera juice the other ingredients are soap, olive oil, coconut oil and glycerin. This is an excellent natural shampoo. It can be applied to the scalp directly.

Aloe Vera Face Mask

Wash Aloe Vera leaf thoroughly to get rid of all the dirt

- Cut it into small pieces

- Drop it in water and boil it

- Filter off all the leaf pieces

- Add three to four teaspoons of honey.

- Mix it thoroughly and apply the mixture to your face

- Wash it off after 30 minutes

- Repeat he procedure once a week for 4-5 weeks

- It will help you to get rid of acne.

Aloe vera juice helps to purify blood by removing dead skin cells. Aloe vera gel, when applied to the skin is quickly absorbed. It helps to relieve muscle pain and arthritic pain.

These are some of the aloe vera benefits for hair and skin.

Facial Exercises for Cheeks, Mouth and Forehead to Get Rid of Wrinkles

As you age, wrinkles will start to appear on your face. Facial exercises for cheeks, mouth and forehead will help you to get rid of them.  

Stress, pollution, malnutrition and illness are likely to cause premature facial wrinkles. Constant blinking and exposure to sun are also some of reasons for the appearance of wrinkles round the eyes and sagging skin. Exposure to sun may cause loss of moisture from the skin and wrinkles may appear. Smoking causes bags under the eyes.

Facial Exercises for Cheeks

The best exercise for wrinkles on the cheeks is filling air in the mouth and holding it for a few seconds. Move air from one side of the cheek to the other. Blow the air out after 5-10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times. This helps to stretch and tone the cheek muscles and remove the wrinkles.

Facial exercises for wrinkles help to reduce and to get rid of them. They tighten the facial muscles and skin. These exercises can be done at any time during the day, sitting, standing or watching TV. They will make you look younger.

Facial exercises for the forehead

Sit in a comfortable position and bring your eyebrows down over your eyes as if you are frowning. At the same time flare up your nostrils and pull up your nose. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat the exercise 5-6 times.

Lie down flat on the back with the head hanging over the edge of the bed. Then open your eyes and pull up the eyebrows as much as possible. Hold this position for ten seconds and repeat the exercise 5-6 times.

Exercise for Mouth and Lips

Stretch your lips and mouth as much as possible. As you stretch your lips, make sounds EEE, OOO and AAH. This would help to prevent wrinkles on the mouth and lips. Pull your lips in like a fish after sucking in the cheeks. Next pull in your lips and smile. Repeat the exercises a few times.

It is necessary to keep the skin moisturized always. The loss of moisture leads to the formation of wrinkles. Use a good moisturizer after cleaning and toning the skin. It is a very good idea to apply a moisturizer before going to bed. This is even more important for dry skin.

These facial exercises for wrinkles will not only help you to get rid of the wrinkles over a period of time but will also make you look younger.

Uses of Neem Plant

Neem plant has several uses. Both neem oil and leaves have medicinal properties  

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. A majority of the Ayurvedic remedies contain neem oil. It is being used for its insecticidal and medicinal properties for thousands of years in India. It also has wide ranging uses in medicine and cosmetics.

Neem  Plant

            Source: Wikimedia Commons:  Thamizhpparithi Maari                          

Chicken pox and Warts

Neem leaves are used in the treatment of chicken pox and warts. It is made into a paste and directly applied to the skin. Water soaked with neem leaves is used for bathing. 

Tooth Paste 

In the earlier days neem twigs were used as tooth brush in India. Now neem toothpaste is available in the market. It is very useful in combating tooth decay. 

Fertilizer and Pesticide

The residual cake that remains after extracting oil from the seeds is used as a fertilizer and pesticide. It is an excellent organic fertilizer. It is also a very good insecticide. 

Neem Oil

Neem oil is used to prevent hair loss

  

It is also good for the scalp. 

It is used as a moisturizer. 

It is an excellent antiseptic. 

When applied to insect and bug bites it helps to reduce the pain. 

It has a very strong odor and used as a mosquito repellent

It is used in the manufacture of soaps and shampoos.

Ointments containing neem oil are used for lice, scabies, ring worm and athletes foot. 

A combination of hair oil with neem oil is very good for the hair as it kills bacteria. It also helps to get rid of dandruff and is good for itchy scalp

It is used to cure scalp infections.

Neem Leaves

Eating raw neem leaves is good for diabetes. Fresh neem leaf paste is used in the treatment of acne. 

Neem leaf soap has anti fungal and anti parasitic properties. It is also good for treating acne. Neem leaves are boiled in water. Then the water is cooled and applied on acne. 

Capsules made from leaf extract are helpful in purifying blood. 

Neem leaf paste is used as face mask to cure pimples and acne

Dried neem leaf powder helps to keep the insects away from cupboards and bookshelves. 

Neem leaf is used as a natural eczema remedy. Its anti fungal and anti bacterial properties keep the bacteria from entering the skin.

These are some of the uses of neem plant