How Your Kitchen Can Save Your Skin

The beauty market is a multi-million dollar enterprise geared at making women think youth can be found in a bottle. Numerous studies, however, indicate that this is a bunch of hogwash, as topical treatments have no proven benefit to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But there is hope.

Natural body care has been around for centuries. Ancient Greeks and Italians knew that oils such as olive, jojoba, and avocado have properties that help soothe skin and replenish lost moisture. And although sunscreen is the number one preventative, you can help stave off signs of wear and tear with these at-home treatments:

Face and Body Scrub:

To begin your face-care treatment, you must strip away oils and residue that accumulate throughout your hectic day. Raw sugar (turbinado) has great exfoliating properties, and will help brighten your skin. Start with a ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup total of the following oils (1/3 cup each): olive, sweet almond, and avocado oil. The avocado oil has been said to boost water-soluble collagen in skin cells, while the olive oil helps lock in moisture, and the almond oil leaves your skin feeling like silk. Next add a few drops of orange essential oil for toning and complexion perfection. This creation has a blend of antioxidants and regenerative properties - including vitamins A,C, and E - the basic elements of healthy skin.

Facial Toner:

Toners are meant to increase your skin's circulation, tighten pores to reduce signs of aging, and restore your skin to its natural pH balance. Skin experts highly recommend implementing a toner into your daily face-care regime.

For a fabulous do-it-yourself recipe, mix together ¼ cup of witch hazel with ¼ cup of rose water and add a few drops of lemon essential oil. The rose water helps soothe, soften, and cleanse skin, while the witch hazel gently removes dead skin cells, tones, and tightens your face. Lemon essential oil is thought to fight acne and reduce age spots and discoloration.

Facial Lotion:

To Keep Moisture locked in and free radicals out, mix together three ounces of jojoba oil, and an ounce of cocoa or shea butter. Shea butter, when unrefined helps reduce fine lines, skin discoloration, and skin disorders such as eczema, and is also thought to help improve your skin's microcirculation. Warm these ingredients over low heat, and then add three ounces of purified or rose water to the mix. Sprinkle in a few drops of evening primrose oil to add firmness and illumination to your skin. Apply to face and neck and watch your skin soften within weeks!