Image Courtesy: Lucille Pine
A visit to any supermarket cosmetics aisle will overwhelm you with a large choice of skin creams and moisturizers. Almost all of these products, however, offer you just a combination of potentially harmful chemicals like parabens etc. Your skin deserves more care than that. Is there a way, then, to go around those shiny products and opt for something that is not only good for you, but will also save you some money.
Make Your Own Skin Creams
You read it right; it is possible to make your own skin creams and moisturizers at home. Remember that before the advent of the supermarket cosmetics juggernaut, people used to make their own creams with natural products; many still do, and you can too. You’ll find the process very satisfying in the way that you’ll know exactly what you are applying to your precious skin.
Moisturizer – The Magic Elixir
Moisturizer is that magic elixir that metrosexuals, black folk like me, and everyone with very dry skin considers essential. It keeps the skin supple, comfy, glowing, and young-looking. But over-the-counter lotions and creams also sometimes contain mineral-based oils which clog the pores, and unpronounceable ingredients our bodies don’t understand.
For years, I’ve used a variety of 100% natural and simple ingredients to keep my skin so soft and young looking that I’m usually taken for at least 10 years younger than I am. Try them, you might like them!
For the Body:
African Shea Butter: This is excellent for body and hand moisture. It’s very emollient. A naturally moisture-containing fat which is unlike cocoa butter or coconut oil in that it doesn’t go on like a solid oil, Shea butter goes on like a buttery cream. Made from the Shea nut, it is also rich in Vitamin K which makes it a natural sunscreen.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is an excellent after-shower and all over body oil. It’s very soothing as an after shave for legs, but go easy on the face, as it is an oil after all and whiteheads could ensue.
For The Face:
Mix 3 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin in a cup of water and spray on face. It’s a totally oil-free humectant (keeps moisture on the skin). Rose water and glycerin has been used by countless grandmothers throughout the ages and cultures and there’s a good reason for that. This stuff is great!
To cleanse you face, you may use raw honey as it has great antiseptic and antibacterial properties and will get that ‘grime’ off your face. Make sure that it is RAW and not processed, and then apply it on preferably damp skin and leave it be for a few minutes. You’ll be surprised at how easily it comes off without any mess and leaves your skin glowing.
Finally, don’t get swayed by the glossy ads extolling the virtues of chemical based products. Going natural and DIY way with your creams and moisturizers will keep you looking younger for longer.
Cassendre Xavier (aka Amethyste Rah & Amrita Waterfalls) is an award-winning multimedia artist, musician and author, working in Philadelphia. She writes on various subjects including Raw Vegan/Live Foods, Alternative Health and Recovery from Addiction and Abuse.
Gina Laverde says
Have u ever used coconut oil? I use coconut oil on face, hair and body. its expensive, but works. I do have some veggie glycerin in my fridge. I’ve had no idea what to use it for 🙂 do u use the rose-water combo on face? very interesting. thank you!!
Gina
Tyra B says
The Made from Earth Vitamin Enhanced Moisturizer saved my face!!
In my late twenties, I tried just about every moisturizer I could find including rarified ingredient boutique lotions but my skin remained dry, hot, itchy, flaky, and I was seeing laugh lines around my eyes. I was about to give up hope until my mother, whowho has AMAZING skin, brought me the organic Made from Earth “Vitamin Enhanced Moisturizer”…
On the occasions I do try other lotions, they never measure up.
My skin thanked me after the first application. After a few days, it looked better, was less red, less chapped. Within a month or two (or less, I don’t remember after 3 years) I had no lines near my eyes, my skin feels soft and comfortable unless I abuse it. When I abuse it, this lotion makes it feel better. People consistently guess my age to be 5-8 years younger than I am even though I have grey hair.
I almost never need more than a tiny amount the size of a pencil eraser to cover my face, neck and hands. (Keep the cap or it dries out.) I recommend it to anyone looking for a facial moisturizer that works as good or better than advertised. Absolutely worth the money since it last for a good 3 month period.