Food Facials

You don't have to spend tons of money on expensive cosmetics and skin care products to re-vitalize your skin. There are many items from your kitchen you can use to help keep your skin vibrant and healthy.

Here are the basics of what I use to give myself a food facial:

For a mild and soothing exfoliant, put uncooked rolled oats in coffee grinder or mortar and pestle and grind until about half or more is powdery. Add just enough whole milk to make into a paste-like substance. Smooth onto face, avoiding eye area. If your skin is feeling especially rough, rub mixture gently into skin. Rinse with warm water.

Homemade toner: Use a ratio of half vinegar (I suggest raw apple cider vinegar) and water or half lemon juice and half water. Mix and apply as you would any other toner.

Skin soother: Apply a very small amount of raw honey to your face. Raw honey is loaded with antioxidants and enzymes, and is antimicrobial. It is good for reducing swelling and scarring (especially useful if you've had an acne outbreak). Leave honey on face for 15-20 minutes. Remove gently any excess honey with a warm wet cloth.

Moisturizer: coconut oil. I love this stuff. It's usually solid and white at room temperature, but once you start to apply it to your body, it melts instantly. Coconut oil is antibacterial and helps relieve dryness, prevents wrinkles, age spots and sagging.

These are just a few food items you can use to give yourself a food facial, but there are many other options (raspberries, avocados, cucumbers, bananas, etc.) Before you head out to buy a mask or a cream that is loaded with stuff you can't pronounce, look around your kitchen and luxuriate in the simplest of ingredients.