Beauty Foods
Beauty products are sometimes a necessary evil in our tight family budgets. But, thanks to mother nature, we might be able to spend a bit less and look and feel just as fabulous! That's the topic of my TODAY show segment.Here are some quick tips for groceries good for the inside and outside:
Vinegar
In cooking, vinegar can be used alone or to add flavor without calories to our food, but what will it do if we use it on our hair? Believe it or not, vinegar is great for removing protein buildup.
Lemon Juice
A great source of Vitamin C, lemon juice also adds a punch to our locks by naturally enhancing blonde hair color.
Olive Oil
When used in our food, heart-healthy olive oil provides an adequate source of fat to prevent dryness. On our hair and skin, massaging olive oil into our scalp and hands also reduces dryness and flaky skin.
Mayonnaise
It may not be the healthiest fat in the grocery aisle, but it is great for hair and facial treatments. For the hair, simply massage into the scalp and leave in for one hour. For the face, massage and leave for several minutes; then rinse with water.
Milk
A great source of calcium and protein in our diets in its non-fat and low-fat varieties, bathing in whole milk or buttermilk are beneficial for the skin.
Fruits & Veggies
Mostly water and high in Vitamin C, cucumbers' properties help reduce puffiness and inflamed eyes. Grapefruits provide essential minerals and vitamins for our insides. On the outside, their acidic qualities aid in reducing body odor.
On the inside, oatmeal aids in lowering cholesterol while honey helps soothe sore throats. Oatmeal, when combined with honey creates a great natural face mask. Using these two ingredients together helps gets rid of rough skin cells. Simply apply to clean skin, massage gently, and rinse.
What other "natural beauty products" do you use? Let me know your food tricks of the trade and share yours!
Disclaimer: Perform a skin patch test and wait 24 hours before using these products. Do not use if you have a known allergy to these ingredients.
Comments
What is the ratio for natual beauty products. How long leave in? Remove?
Thank you, Jane
Do you cook the oatmeal? How much honey do you use? Thanks, Stephanie
Sometimes I use just plain honey on my face, it makes your sking very smooth if you don't want to exfoliate. You can also use honey for blemishes, put a dab on at the blemish cover w. a bandaid. Use tomato paste as a compress for boils. It soothes pain and brings the boil to a head.
I use to use eggwhites on my face and stretchmarks. I left it on for about 5 minutes.
People are starving around the world and you're using food as "beauty products". Why???
honey and cinammon can work magic on you. just boil cinammon and add honey and drink.
To answer, Sharlyne, would you rather someone spend an outrageous amount of money on a product they really don't need? Or to save the money using something already in the kitchen? That saves money for donations to a food pantry, or Third World country. I suppose either way you look at it, there's no pleasing everyone.
I would rather use mayo on my hair to condition. I don't go through a jar of it as fast as some may, so again, why not make use of what you have in the kitchen.
i love putting lemon juice and then honey on my skin as a mask. it stings a bit at first, but my skin is really soft and noticeably brighter afterwards
You're right Jen! It is better to use safe and inexpensive items to beautify ourselves, and the money saved can be used to help others. Another thing, there is nothing wrong or wasteful about wanting to be attractive. If we look better, we tend to feel better, and therefore will have more energy to help others.
Honey, on a blemish sounds awesome and easy but how does it work to help it? Just wondering that is all.
Isn't it wonderful that we are going back to the basics of better health care. The Origional Tahitian Noni juice dabbed on the face with a cotton ball does wonders for sun burn, blemishes, burns, cuts and skin cancer to only name a few applications. I Love it!
Try this amazing skin exfoliator:
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup standard white sugar
1 tsp. aloe vera gel (optional)
Mix the above ingredients, and massage into skin using circular motions. Then simply rinse off the mixture in your shower. Not to worry, this scrub will not clog your shower drain!
I use this sugar scrub once weekly over my entire body, beginning with my extremities, working inward towards the torso and back side. If you do not have time for the entire body, you can concentrate on hands, elbows, feet, you name it. My skin is left silky soft, and unbelieveably smooth.
About the Mayonnaise-- for God sake don't use the one you buy in cheap store. French women knew this secret long ago. And so can you- make your own!!
1 part egg yolk
1 part olive oil
1 part sour/fresh cream
smells wonderful.. and skin will thank you
I mix 1/2 cup of coffee grounds (new or used) and 1/2 cup olive oil for a cellulite scrub.... smells funky but seems to work. use only a little and run the shower well while doing this (can use a plug strainer)
