MORE than any other part of our body, our face reflects most accurately what is going on beneath our skin’s façade.

While we know that we cannot halt our natural ageing process, we can help our skin’s age with grace by taking a few simple steps.  Fresh air, adequate sleep, a high water intake, relaxation and a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods, all help our facial skin stay plump and relatively free from blemishes.

There are all sorts of items in our kitchen cabinets and fridge that can be used for a cleansing and refreshing facial.

 

Taditional honey-cucumber facial

The principle ingredients of this facial is honey, lime and cucumber.  This facial enjoy an age-old reputation as skin healers, softeners and moisturizers.  Used in conjunction with each other, these three natural ingredients reduce the discomforts of skin irritations and stem infection while promoting new cell growth.

Ingredients:   1 tbsp. honey, 5 drops fresh lime juice and a cucumber thinly sliced.

Steps:

• Cleanse your face;
• Mix honey and lime juice together and massage into your face for 5-15 minutes. The lime peels away surface cells and the honey softens the skin;
• Wipe away the residue of honey with a warm, wet cloth. Then pat dry;
• Neatly place the cucumber slices over your face and They feel cool while they tighten the skin and replenish moisture;
• Leave on for 15 minutes; and
• Then remove with cotton and warm water

Lemon refresher

Ingredients:  15 drops lemon or lime & 10 drops cold water

Steps:

• Mix the lemon or lime juice and water in a bowl;
• Gently pat on to your face. The lemon/lime’s acidity acts as a toner to tighten the skin and close the pores after a facial. It smells great too!

Egg white mask

Ingredients:  one egg

Steps:

• Break open the egg and separate the white from the yolk;
• Beat the white for one minute by hand;
• Apply to the skin and let it harden; and
• Wash off with warm water. The egg white draws toxins from the skin and tightens the pores as it cleans

Polenta and yoghurt scrub

Ingredients:  1Tbsp. ground corn meal (polenta), 2 tbsp. natural yoghurt.

Steps:

Mix into a paste and gently rub into your skin, starting at the chin and working up to the cheeks and forehead in small circles.  The exfoliating properties of the corn’s gritty texture leaves your face invigorated and glowing.

Hair

Just like our skin, our hair is a barometer of our general health; it becomes duller and lankier the more tired and poorly nourished we are.  It needs fresh air, fresh foods, sleep and low stress levels to maintain its shine.  It also depends on a healthy scalp; a good scalp massage activates hair follicles and reduces tension.

Here are some hair treatments that significantly add shine, softness and strength to the hair in a gentle way.

Hibiscus hair shampoo

 The leaves from this prolific hibiscus bush can be used to shampoo hair.  When boiled these leaves excrete a sticky gel, similar to aloe vera.

Ingredients:  Large handful of hibiscus leaves. Enough water to cover the leaves.

Steps:

• Crush the leaves loosely in your hand and barely cover them with water. Boil for 20 minutes.  Then strain; and
• Massage the sticky, gel into the head. It forms a lather when massaged

Hair remedies

For dry hair: 1. Massage the creamy insides of an avocado into clean dry hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes or longer. Then wash hair out;

2. Massage coconut oil into your hair and leave on for a few hours.  Wash several times before your hair feels silky rather than oily;

For lacklustre hair:  1. Juice 2 large carrots and massage into damp hair. Apply heat to the hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes.  Then wash out;

2. Squeeze half a lemon into 1 cup of water and use the mixture as a final rinse after shampooing.

For Thinning Hair:  1. Whisk two eggs and massage them into your hair.  Wash off after ten minutes to enhance hair growth and strength.

2. Juice 3 sticks of celery and massage juice into the scalp.  Leave for 15 minutes before washing.

For Dandruff: Mix a large handful of crushed mint leaves into your conditioner, massage into the scalp and leave on the hair for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse.

For Thicker Hair:  The Aloe Vera extract contains a natural tannin with an anti-inflammatory effect, and saponin, a natural emulsifier.  It is also wonderful for dandruff.

Cut an aloe vera leaf with a knife to reveal the gel. Massage the gel into the scalp and leave on for 15 minutes. Then wash off. The aloe’s active ingredients stimulate the follicles for a thicker, cleaner and fuller head of hair

As a skilled Esthetician and Wellness Coach, Naema Khan specialises in providing personalised care through Electrolysis, facials and various therapeutic massages such as Swedish, Thai, Indian head massage and therapeutic foot massages. She also offers consultations on natural health and wellness. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of AZP News. Khan can be contacted at 1-868-330-9448