Submitted by: Cynthia McMurray(1,272) Cynthia McMurray Write Words Log in to become a member of Cynthia McMurray's Fan Club!
Ah beauty… some say it comes from within, that our natural beauty is enough to get us through our "golden years". Others spend thousands of dollars a year on various products that claim to be everything from the fountain of youth to the next miracle cure for cellulite. But whatever your choice, one thing is clear, statistics show Canada's obsession with all that is beauty, has pushed the industry into the number four position, ranking just behind real estate, automobiles and tourism as the top economic industries.
With over 3,700 cosmetic companies in Canada alone that make over 20,000 different products (not including any organic products), it is no wonder Canadians find it hard to decipher what works and what doesn't. And with many products coming with some pretty hefty price tags and no guarantee they actually work better than the other thousand or so products on the market, it is enough to make a person want to pull their hair out in frustration. But not to worry… manufacturers have products for that too!
So, where do you begin? Back to nature seems to be the trend in beauty care products these days, with more and more mainstream companies adding such things as Co-Q 10, aloe, cucumber, vitamins and other herbs to their products in hopes of catching a small part of the growing "natural" wave. Faced with what seems like endless choices, the question should then come down to what products actually work, what ones are safe and of course, what products give you the best bang for your buck, or in this case maybe, the fewest wrinkles.
When it comes to "natural" beauty care products, it is important to remember that while many companies claim to be "natural" a quick read of the ingredient label will tell otherwise. The term natural is very deceptive when you consider that even most chemicals can be traced back to their natural roots. And when it comes to beauty care products, even companies that claim they contain organic ingredients, sometimes only contain negligible amounts, the rest being synthetic chemicals. The bottom line is that you need to read the labels.
But for truly natural products, there is no better place to look than your own backyard. While these remedies may not come in fancy bottles or elaborate packaging, they are tried and true remedies, which are the basis for the majority of store-bought products.
Natural Beauty Care Tips:
Hair
For hair loss, try eating a handful of white sesame seeds every day. Sesame seeds are very high in calcium and magnesium, which are vital nutrients for hair growth.
After shampooing, you can also rinse your hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This remedy is said to stimulate hair growth. Apple cider vinegar is also a great remedy for dandruff and restoring the natural pH of your scalp. You can also try adding one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drinking it once or twice a day. This remedy is very helpful for many things, especially hair loss, although it can take a few months before results are noticed, so be patient.
To remove minerals (like iron) and product build up, apple cider vinegar is also very effective. Just wash your hair normally and rinse with 1 ounce apple cider vinegar to 4 cups distilled water.
To lighten hair and add a few natural highlights try rinsing your hair in a strong chamomile tea.
To darken hair, rinse with a strong coffee or tea after shampooing. Re-rinse until you reach the desired colour then wash and condition your hair as normal.
To darken grey hair, add half a cup of dried sage to two cups boiling water. Let the mixture simmer for 7 to 8 hours. When cool, apply it to your hair and allow it to dry thoroughly before rinsing. Repeat until you reach the colour you want.
Skin
For dry, flaky skin, simply use sea salt. Wet the area you wish to exfoliate then apply a few tablespoons sea salt, gently massaging with the tips of your fingers. For an effective and healing facial, add equal parts sea salt to olive oil and gently massage into your face and throat (keeping it away from your eyes). After five minutes, remove with a mild soap and water. Sea salt is known to draw toxins from the body while soothing and healing the skin.
For oily skin, mix 1 teaspoon brewer's yeast with a half cup plain whole milk yoghurt. Apply the mask to the oily areas of your face and leave on for about 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and then use cold water to close the pores.
To help close large facial pores, try using a paste made from equal parts sandalwood powder and black gram or mung beans (available through most health food stores). Soak then cook the beans until soft and mash together with sandalwood powder. Apply to your face and keep it on overnight. Wash with cool water. You can also try cucumber juice. Apply it directly to your face for about 15 minutes then rinse with cool water.
To treat acne scars, try making a paste from sandalwood powder and rose water. Apply it directly to the scars, leaving it on overnight. Wash with cool water. If your skin is dry, add a little milk to the paste and only leave it on for a few hours. You can also try using aloe vera, a wonderful plant known for its many healing properties. Simply apply the inside portion of a small part of the aloe vera leaf directly to scars, leaving it on overnight. Rinse with cool water. Many times, acne scars can be several layers deep, so it can take time before you notice any visible difference. Be patient.
To lighten dark circles under your eyes, try wrapping a grated raw potato in cheesecloth then applying it to your eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water then apply a good eye cream.
For smooth, soft feet mix 1 cup lemon juice, a pinch of ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup milk and enough warm water to cover your feet in a small plastic tub. Soak your feet for about 20 minutes then gently wash them with a mild soap. Do this daily for a few weeks and your feet will be silky smooth.
Nails
For dry nails, eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin A. For nails that split easily, try drinking a glass of warm water with half a fresh lemon squeezed into it. Do this daily for a few weeks and it will replenish the hydrochloric acid, a major cause of splitting nails. For hangnails, use vitamin E or aloe vera directly on the nail. To whiten nails soak them in water with a few tablespoons lemon juice. Lemon is a natural astringent and will strip away stains.
If you see white bands on your nails, it is typically an indication that you are not eating enough protein. Try eating some protein-rich foods like organic or antibiotic-free meat or if you are vegetarian the highest protein food at 84.9 percent protein is cowpeas. You can also try eggs at 83.8 percent or cottage cheese at 81.3 percent protein. Beans and lentils are also good.
Often we find white spots on our nails. This is a sign of a zinc deficiency in most cases. Try eating foods rich in zinc such as nuts, root vegetables and shellfish.
Teeth
Strawberries are a well-known remedy for whitening teeth. They contain malic acid, which is a natural stain remover. You can rub the strawberries directly on your teeth or mash them into a paste and brush them on. Leave the paste on your teeth for about five minutes then rinse well and smile. A simple paste from baking soda, salt and water is also a great remedy for teeth whitening. Simply brush your teeth with the paste and rinse.
Cynthia McMurray is a freelance natural health writer. She has written numerous books for leading health professionals and was the founder and publisher of a national natural health magazine. She is currently writing in-depth health manuals for a large international health and wellness company.
» left by Anonymous (46 days 23 hours ago.)
Thanks Roschelle. With all of the chemicals used in today's products,
it really is hard to find "good" and safe things to use. Why not turn
to Mother Nature! After all, She "does know best"! Respond to this comment
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