By guest blogger, Ashley Lipman
Did you know the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admits “no legal requirements” exist that require cosmetics companies to test their products for safety? Of the 10,000 chemicals that can be used in cosmetic formulations, a mere 11 have been restricted or banned by the FDA; that’s a stark comparison to the 1,400 banned by the European Union (EU). While that’s a big bombshell, it gets worse. Federal regulations for cosmetics haven’t even been updated in over 80 years. Considering the fact that women on average use up to 12 products while teens use up to 17 every single day, it quickly becomes clear that the truth about the beauty industry is rather ugly.
So, instead of wasting boatloads of money on plastic tubes filled with carcinogens, reproductive toxins and empty promises, take your beauty into your own hands, figuratively and literally. There are plenty of everyday ingredients that you likely have in your home that can be used in your daily self-care routine for clearer skin and whiter teeth. Enjoy five of our favorite homemade all-natural beauty products.
1. Exfoliating Coffee Scrub
Start your day with a kick! Coffee grinds make for the perfect natural exfoliant. The sand-like texture of fine grounds works to remove dead skin cells. As an added benefit, coffee scrubs also rejuvenate and boost circulation to help create a youthful glow.
Bonus, you don’t need to put a dent in your wallet to have a spa-like treatment. For ultimate relaxation and revitalization, make a luxurious coffee scrub in your kitchen. All you need is:
- ½ ground coffee beans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup melted coconut
- One teaspoon vanilla extract
Keep in mind that using the best coffee beans is crucial. High-quality ingredients will produce better results. You also want to make sure that you use fine grounds, as course ones are too harsh, especially on sensitive skin.
Once all of your ingredients are mixed well, gently rub the blend over your body. Give yourself a soft massage and then leave the scrub on for several minutes before washing off.
2. Baking Soda Blackhead Remover
Exfoliating is a central component of any skincare routine. Luckily, you can find some of the best ingredients for the job right in your pantry.
Baking soda offers a natural, cheap, and fresh way to loosen up your dead skin. Just mix one tablespoon with a bit of mineral water until it turns into a paste. Massage the substance in circles around your face to remove blackheads or any dirt that may be lurking under the surface.
You can also use this as a spot treatment. Apply the baking soda paste onto your nose and let it dry. After 10-15 minutes, rinse it off and take a look at your smooth, blackhead-free skin.
3. Lime Teeth Whitener
Baking soda is a highly-effective ingredient that’s key to many homemade beauty products. Just mix a tablespoon of this powder with a half a tablespoon of lime juice for an instant DIY teeth whitener.
Apply this natural paste to your teeth and let it rest for 1-2 minutes (don’t worry, it doesn’t taste bad). Once you start doing this daily, you’ll notice that your teeth get cleaner, brighter, and stain-free.
4. Sugar & Lemon Wax
Sugaring, or sugar wax is one of the latest fads in hair removal. Gone are the days of harsh bleaching, tweezing and plucking. This blend of sugar and lemon is great for your skin and creates smooth, lasting results.
Instead of paying for professional treatments or an over-the-counter product, you can easily make this natural wax at home. All you need is:
- 2 ½ cups of powdered sugar,
- ½ cup of seed-free lemon juice
- Two cups of water
Mix everything and heat it over medium heat for about ten minutes. Once the color is a golden-brown, turn off the heat. When it cools down, the mixture will become sticky. You can use it right away or store it in the fridge for later.
Apply the sugar and lemon wax to your unwanted fuzz and pull gently against the direction of your hair growth.
5. DIY Perfume
Everyone loves donning a signature scent, but most of us prefer smelling fresh, yet subtle and natural, yet nice. The best perfumes blend perfectly with your body chemistry. Unfortunately, many store-bought sprays are full of harsh chemicals and hormone disruptors.
If you prefer natural perfume, why not make your own? You can play around with different scents until you finally land on ‘the one.’ To make the perfect DIY perfume, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Two dark glass bottles with lids
- One coffee filter
- One funnel
- Two tablespoons of carrier oil (grapeseed, sweet almond, etc.)
- Six tablespoons of vodka
- 30 drops of essential oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons of bottled water
Mix the essential oils into your carrier oil, add some alcohol, and let it sit for two days. Once you’re satisfied with the smell, add the water and shake. Not only is the final product guaranteed to be toxic-free, but you’ll also get to enjoy feeling like an alchemist for a bit.
Natural Is Always Better
Instead of wasting your hard earned money on potentially harmful over-the-counter beauty products, make your own. You can find solutions for a wide range of beauty problems just by opening your pantry and getting crafty.
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