The Lightening Skin website brings you another skin-care article...
Does the thought of chocolate make you weak in the knees? Does the mention of banana splits raise your blood temperature? Do you salivate for sugary sweet treats?
Does the thought of chocolate make you weak in the knees? Does the mention of banana splits raise your blood temperature? Do you salivate for sugary sweet treats?
Don't worry about the diet - you can indulge recklessly when you use these delicious ingredients for the beauty of your skin. These sinful ingredients may not be good for your waistline but they can improve the quality and tone of your skin - guilt free. Use this guide to create your own homemade moisturizers, scrubs and face masks, or look for these ingredients in store bought preparations.
Sugar – this makes an effective and sweet body scrub. Brown sugar mixed with a small amount of liquid glycerin or massage oil can be used all over the body. Apply the mixture using small, circular motions to rub it on. The sugar grains will gently remove dry, dead skin while the glycerin or massage oil will ease the application and keep skin soft and supple. You can intensify the sweetness of your body scrub by adding a few drops of essential oils, like vanilla, for a luxurious and relaxing indulgence.
Honey – this is nature’s own anti-bacterial agent. You can add a small amount of liquid soap or glycerin to a few tablespoons of honey for a gentle cleanser that kills bacteria and helps heal scarring. This is great for sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts. Honey also makes an excellent base for a mask and can be used with all of these other ingredients to provide healing and cleansing properties to the formulations. A simple honey and oat cleanser (using fine ground or powdered oats) will both exfoliate and moisturize your skin.
Chocolate - in its sugary form chocolate may not be great for you but real, dark cocoa is an excellent source of antioxidants that fight free radicals, which can cause cancer. The caffeine in chocolate is also useful in de-toxifying skin and has been used to fight cellulite as well as to purify skin. Cocoa butter is a fantastic moisturizer and by adding a few drops of vanilla and cherry essential oils, you can safely indulge while the aromatherapy effects can actually curb your cravings.
Vanilla - this is one of the most popular scents for bathing products. It is wonderfully rich aroma is relaxing and blends well with other scents such as lavender and rose. Adding the essential oils of vanilla to your bath, a moisturizer or scrub will intensify the aromatherapy effects and leave you feeling restful and happy.
Bananas – these fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, potassium and other skin-pleasing nutrients. Nothing could be simpler (or cheaper) than mashing a banana and applying as a mask for soft, smooth skin. Choose a banana that has ripened and soft (but not with black spots).
