Nature Can Cleanse, Moisturize and Refresh Your Skin

We all know that harsh chemicals can be drying, if not dangerous, to our skin. Why put something on your skin that you wouldn't put in your body?Here are some quick and easy tips for using natural products that you probably having sitting in your pantry right now.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) can be used as an eye makeup remover that is gentle and effective. Simply dab a cotton ball with some EVOO and gently swipe away any left over mascara or eyeliner before bedtime. Try it just once and you will be pleased with the results. Olive oil contains squalene (1, 2) which is essential to skin health. We do make squalene in our bodies but that process is inhibited by taking statin drugs (designed to "lower" cholesterol but they inhibit the body's production of cholesterol, squalene and CoQ10).

Baking Soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an alkalizing and refreshing treat for the face. It is produced naturally in our bodies to help alkalize and regulate our pH. I couldn't believe it when a nurse with gorgeous skin told me that was her secret! You can make a paste out of baking soda and water and use like a scrub. Or you can combine the baking soda "scrub" with a gentle glycerin soap that does not contain sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate. I prefer to make my own soap at home. It is quick, easy and actually fun! Thanks Leslie!

Glycerine soap with olive oil, chlorophyll and flax seed is a gentle exfoliant that can cleanse and moisturize at the same time. It is easy to buy "melt and pour" glycerine soap and add healthy ingredients such as olive oil (EVOO), almond oil, chlorophyll, essential oils (or phthalate-free fragrances) and ground flax seed for an awesome cleansing, invigorating facial scrub. You can pour your new creation into different shapes by using muffin tins or soap molds. You can add essential oils such as basil, sage and mint or "Carribean Therapy" and create your own line of beauty bars!

Cocoa butter is a pure and natural moisturizer that doesn't "grease" your skin. You can make your own cocoa butter bars by melting 100% cocoa butter and pouring it into small muffin tins or fun shaped ice cube trays. The smaller ice cube tray sizes make a perfect cocoa butter bar for traveling. Once it has cooled and hardened completely, you can gently rub the bar between your fingers or hands and sheen of cocoa butter will become available to be used on your face, hands, legs, etc. The smell is awesome too.

Luxuriate in these natural beauty items and enjoy the savings from making your own at home and of course, go organic when you can!