DIY cleanser
Copy editor Stacey Nel makes her own beauty treats at home, opting for easy and effective natural recipes rather than ready-made buys.
“I love the simplicity of using just a few ingredients to achieve a range of results, and I enjoy mixing them up myself,” she says. “They are very cost-effective, too!”
Her recipes for glowing skin, here.
What you’ll need
“You can make just about any beauty product with the ingredients below,” says Stacey. “Just choose the highest quality you can find and afford. Organic, unrefined and cold-pressed are always best, so check the labels!”
Coconut oil Sweet almond oil Raw honey Apple cider vinegar (containing ‘the mother’ – strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that make it look murky.) Shea butter Essential oils, such as tea tree and lavender
These ingredients are available at health food stores or online at faithful-to-nature.co.za and essentiallynatural.co.za.
Clean out
“Cleansing with oil can dissolve excess oil in your pores, and using the right oils can help to balance overly dry or oily skin,” says Stacey. To remove makeup Use a coin-sized amount of sweet almond or coconut oil (if it’s solid, warm it between your palms to melt) and massage over your face. (Your makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, will smudge.) Now soak a clean facecloth in very hot water, wring it out and place over your face. Steam your skin for about a minute. Then wipe the clean side of the cloth over your face, and leave the thin layer of oil left behind to soak in. In a hurry? Skip the steam and wipe off gently. For a deep cleanse The natural anti-bacterial properties in honey are great for drawing out impurities. Wet your face with warm water, then massage a teaspoon of honey into your skin, using circular motions. Leave on for five to 10 minutes for deep-pore cleansing. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Tone up
Apple cider vinegar helps to balance and restore skin’s natural ph. It also assists with preventing acne breakouts and scarring. In a spray bottle, dilute two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of distilled or spring water. If you have spots, add a few drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil to soothe inflammation. Spritz this on after cleansing and air dry.
Add moisture
I use a few drops of sweet almond oil for my daily moisturising, but Argan, coconut and jojoba oil are also great, so experiment to find the one that works best for you. Gently massage it into your skin. (Massaging also boosts circulation, which will give you a glow.)
Bust spots
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, and these are good when it comes to preventing and treating breakouts. Add just a drop to your face wash or toner, or, mix it with a carrier oil like almond or coconut, and apply directly to your blemish in the morning and at night. You should see results within a few days.