Recipes for Beauty
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:09 pm
I found this online article by a grocery store chain. Thought I'd share it here.
Publix GreenWise Market Magazine - September 2007
Recipe for Beauty
Work some makeover magic using ingredients found in the grocery aisle.
A well-stocked kitchen offers everything you need to concoct some of the most rejuvenating beauty treatments imaginable. You just have to get creative! And if by chance you're out of a key ingredient, such as olive oil, just ask a neighbor if you can borrow a cup.
"When you make beauty products at home, look for fresh ingredients such as rich oils, fresh fruits, and whole-milk dairy products," says Janice Cox, author of three best-selling books on the subject of natural beauty, including Natural Beauty at Home (Owl Books, 2002).
Today's modern beauty products descend from ancient and folk remedies, which often originated in the kitchen. "They started out of necessity and have continued because they work," Cox says.
Cox keeps these five versatile - and edible - items in stock for at-home beauty treatments:
Eggs - wonderful for making hair conditioning packs and facial masks
Oatmeal - for an all-over scrub
Lemons - to treat rough spots, such as heels and elbows
Sour cream - as a deep-cleansing and moisturizing facial mask
Baking soda - great for a soothing muscle soak
Making your own beauty products at home is easy, fun, and affordable, Cox says. "It's also relaxing to do something creative and pampering for yourself."
Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath
1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
½ cup honey
½ cup unscented liquid soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Measure oil into a medium bowl; carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water and step into a warm, silky escape. Keeps several days at room temperature.
Yield: Enough for 4 baths.
Courtesy of the National Honey Board
Morning Buzz Body Scrub
¼ cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon grape seed oil (olive or canola oil may be substituted)
1 egg white
¼ cup freshly ground coffee
2 tablespoons wheat germ
In mixing bowl combine buttermilk, honey, oil, and egg white; mix thoroughly. Slowly add coffee and wheat germ, being careful to avoid clumping. Scrub should be smooth and creamy but with a slight grit. Allow to stand. Apply all over in shower or bath, using a washcloth or body sponge to aid exfoliation. Rinse completely. Towel dry and apply moisturizer. Chill remaining scrub, if necessary.
Yield: 1 or 2 treatments
Courtesy of the National Honey Board
Perfect Hair Conditioner
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together and stir thoroughly. Massage into hair and cover with plastic wrap or a shower cap. Leave the conditioner on hair for 15 minutes, and then shampoo as usual. Rinse well. Use weekly to keep hair soft, radiant, and full of moisture.
Yield: 1 treatment
Courtesy of Janice Cox
Sugar Scrub
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Mix together all ingredients. Massage into clean hands and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. Finish off with a rich hand cream or a dab of olive oil.
Yield: 1 treatment
Courtesy of Janice Cox
Publix GreenWise Market Magazine - September 2007
Recipe for Beauty
Work some makeover magic using ingredients found in the grocery aisle.
A well-stocked kitchen offers everything you need to concoct some of the most rejuvenating beauty treatments imaginable. You just have to get creative! And if by chance you're out of a key ingredient, such as olive oil, just ask a neighbor if you can borrow a cup.
"When you make beauty products at home, look for fresh ingredients such as rich oils, fresh fruits, and whole-milk dairy products," says Janice Cox, author of three best-selling books on the subject of natural beauty, including Natural Beauty at Home (Owl Books, 2002).
Today's modern beauty products descend from ancient and folk remedies, which often originated in the kitchen. "They started out of necessity and have continued because they work," Cox says.
Cox keeps these five versatile - and edible - items in stock for at-home beauty treatments:
Eggs - wonderful for making hair conditioning packs and facial masks
Oatmeal - for an all-over scrub
Lemons - to treat rough spots, such as heels and elbows
Sour cream - as a deep-cleansing and moisturizing facial mask
Baking soda - great for a soothing muscle soak
Making your own beauty products at home is easy, fun, and affordable, Cox says. "It's also relaxing to do something creative and pampering for yourself."
Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath
1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
½ cup honey
½ cup unscented liquid soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Measure oil into a medium bowl; carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water and step into a warm, silky escape. Keeps several days at room temperature.
Yield: Enough for 4 baths.
Courtesy of the National Honey Board
Morning Buzz Body Scrub
¼ cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon grape seed oil (olive or canola oil may be substituted)
1 egg white
¼ cup freshly ground coffee
2 tablespoons wheat germ
In mixing bowl combine buttermilk, honey, oil, and egg white; mix thoroughly. Slowly add coffee and wheat germ, being careful to avoid clumping. Scrub should be smooth and creamy but with a slight grit. Allow to stand. Apply all over in shower or bath, using a washcloth or body sponge to aid exfoliation. Rinse completely. Towel dry and apply moisturizer. Chill remaining scrub, if necessary.
Yield: 1 or 2 treatments
Courtesy of the National Honey Board
Perfect Hair Conditioner
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together and stir thoroughly. Massage into hair and cover with plastic wrap or a shower cap. Leave the conditioner on hair for 15 minutes, and then shampoo as usual. Rinse well. Use weekly to keep hair soft, radiant, and full of moisture.
Yield: 1 treatment
Courtesy of Janice Cox
Sugar Scrub
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Mix together all ingredients. Massage into clean hands and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. Finish off with a rich hand cream or a dab of olive oil.
Yield: 1 treatment
Courtesy of Janice Cox