Natural DIY Skin Care and Hair Care

Last week, I talked about the importance of taking the toxicity out of your everyday products. Over-the-counter products, no matter what, are going to have some chemicals in them. We’re surrounded by toxic chemicals in our food, furniture and carpets, cookware, electronics, all the way down to our shower curtains! Read on for some natural DIY skin and hair care to help remedy all this crazy toxicity.

Recently, scientists, doctors and policy advocates from across various disciplines have agreed on that the grave health risks associated with widespread exposure to chemicals – like organophosphate pesticides on produce, phthalates in plastics and beauty products and good, old fashioned lead and mercury – cause serious damage to your brain.   

So it’s extra important to carefully select the products you allow in, on and around your body. Some companies use organic ingredients, safe synthetics and handmade processes, like Lush, but you still need to do your due diligence when picking products. There are not as many regulations on the claims companies can slap on their product labels. In fact, the FDA only started talking about regulating the word “healthy” on packaging in 2016, and it’s still in just the preliminary stages.

You can find some great online references to make the process faster like the Environmental Working Group, GoodGuide, and the fun app Think Dirty, Shop Clean. But for me, I prefer to ditch the more expensive products in favor of natural, gentler and more effective solutions that I can even find in my kitchen.

So this week, I’m sharing some of my favorite common ingredients (that you already have!) to make your own natural skin and hair care. Recipes included!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is nature’s multitasker. It is full of antioxidants, it’s antibacterial, moisturizing, a potent disinfectant and has anti-microbial properties. Plus, it creates an environment perfect for quick healing.

Personally, I use it as an alternative to store-bought shaving cream. Just rub a teaspoon of coconut oil onto your legs in the shower, and shave your way to silky, smooth skin. Believe it or not, it’s even a natural lubricant for sex – just try it out sparingly at first if you’re prone to yeast infections.

Coconut oil is also an amazing makeup remover! You don’t even need to mix it with anything; just use it straight out of the jar. If you want to jazz it up though, you can add in some Vitamin E oil or shea butter. Not only does it remove makeup, but dirt buildup and bacteria as well. And if you tend to have oily skin, you could still use a natural cleanser afterwards.

My Coconut Oil Coffee Scrub (5-6 uses)

INGREDIENTS

•  2-3 TBS of organic coffee

•  ½ cup of organic whole brown sugar

•   ½ cup organic coconut oil (do not use melted coconut oil, make sure it is in solid form, if not, put in fridge beforehand!)
  

•  ½ cup of organic liquid castile soap (I love Dr. Bronners, if you have sensitive skin, use the baby castile soap)

INSTRUCTIONS

1)  In a high speed, powerful blender, mix sugar and coconut oil until they are slightly blended. Make sure you don’t mix for too long or you will melt the coconut oil and break the sugar granules down.

2)  Pour this coconut oil/sugar mixture in a stainless steel or aluminum bowl, then put in a another bowl that is filled with cold ice water.

3)  Whip the scrub with an electric mixer until the scrub is fluffy and creamy.

4)  Add the ground coffee and liquid soap until they are just combined.

5)  Put the scrub in a mason jar. Will keep for 1-2 months.

6)  If it’s hot  in your place, keep it in the fridge. Otherwise you can leave it at room temperature.

7)  You can use this daily or weekly on your bod before you shower, and especially on areas with cellulite. Coffee works wonders!

NOTE:  Wash this scrub down the drain with hot water and a natural cleaner if it leaves your shower too greasy. Cold water will only harden the oil.  🙂

Sweet Almond Oil

I keep this baby in my bathroom for lots of different tasks. Being high in Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and monounsaturated fatty acids, this versatile oil helps smooth and strengthen your skin and reduce free radical damage that contributes to premature aging. It’s high zinc content also makes it popular in healing remedies, like for brittle nails. It’s also a mild, natural laxative to relieve constipation, lowers cholesterol and can help cure ear infections topically.

You can use sweet almond oil as a treatment for dark circles under your eyes – just smooth 1-2 drops around your eyes. Or mix 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil with 1 teaspoon of castor oil to create a natural lash extender. Clean an old mascara brush, and sweep a coat on before you go to bed for longer, lusher lashes.

Liquid Chlorophyll

I’m sure you remember chlorophyll from grade school science class. It’s to plants what hemoglobin is to blood; it’s a vital part of plant life. It’s extremely popular in juice bars and health stores, and there is “promising preliminary research to support chlorophyll aiding in weight-loss”.

I put liquid chlorophyll in my water all the time and also use it as a skin toner. With it’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it’s a wonderful, natural acne treatment and wound healer. It’s pretty potent too, being able to “bind and remove toxic heavy metals like mercury from your body”.

Raw Cacao Butter

You can buy cacao butter online easy (I get mine from Vitacost) because it’s used in lots of natural skin care products from body lotions to lipsticks. You’ve heard me talk about the superfood cacao before, so this butter is the edible fat extracted from raw cacao beans. It’s packed with Vitamin E and K as well as fatty acids that help form a protective layer on your skin that promotes moisture and healing.

Warm a little in your hand and use it as an alternative full body moisturizer or break off a piece and drop it into a hot bath. It will leave your skin smooth without all the synthetic chemical residue in your tub. And since it also helps regenerate skin, it can lessen stretch marks and scars over time.

Beer

I know it seems totally counter-intuitive, but beer is an amazing and long-trusted hair treatment! The proteins found in malt and hops aid in repairing damaged strands and the Vitamin B and sugars present in this sudsy alternative are a great rinse and thickener for your locks.

Beer + Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask

Both beer and apple cider vinegar (ACV) impart shine to the hair while ACV also helps clear the hair and scalp of grease and grime.

INGREDIENTS

•  ½ cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

•  ½ cup flat beer (use a plain brand, like a Budweiser)

INSTRUCTIONS

1)  Pour little by little on the head and work this mix into your hair and scalp.

2)  Leave it on your head for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly with plain water for shine and volume.

NOTE: Remember to use only flat beer that has been left open for about 10-12 hours at room temp.

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What are your favorite natural skin and hair treatments? Let me know in the comments below.  

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LOVE + natural beauty,