Desert cures for softer skin and hair!

From Australia to New Mexico, the world’s deserts are home to nourishing plants that hold the secrets to softer skin and hair! The agave plant’s sugar helps it survive desert conditions, and it works in a similar way to attract moisture to dry hair,” say

1Moisturize your with aloe!

complexion “Aloe plants are designed to endure dry desert environments, which is why they’re excellent at hydrating skin without clogging pores,” says Naomi Whittel, author of Glow15. She pairs gel from the succulent with toning egg white and antioxidant-rich avocado for a hydrating mask. ✤ Try it! Whisk 1 egg white until frothy. Add 2 Tbs. pure aloe vera gel and 2 Tbs. mashed avocado. Smooth on clean skin. Relax 20 minutes; rinse.

2Smooth with jojoba!

The southwestern jojoba plant contains squalene, a compound similar to the oils in our skin that diminish with age, Whittel says. Whipped into body butter, jojoba softens fast! ✤ Try it! Melt 2 oz. jojoba oil, 2 oz. avocado oil and 4 oz. shea butter in double boiler. Let cool; refrigerate 1 hour. Whip in mixer; transfer to lidded jar. Apply to skin. Keeps 1 month, refrigerated.

Calm irritated skin with dates!

Dates are more than just delicious: The fruit of the desert palm tree has B vitamins, which strengthen skin’s natural moisture barrier and shield against irritation. Pair dates with hydrating honey, yogurt and coconut oil to lock in moisture! Try it! Blend 2 pitted dates, 2 Tbs. honey, 2 Tbs. yogurt and 2 Tbs. coconut oil in food processor. Smooth over clean, dry skin. Relax 20 minutes; rinse.

Hydrate skin all day with cactus water!

Mixing antioxidant-rich cactus water with soothing cucumber juice and circulation-boosting green tea refreshes skin instantly. ✤ Try it! Blend 1/2 peeled cucumber until smooth. Strain into spray bottle; mix in 1 oz. brewed green tea and 4 oz. cactus water (at Amazon.com). Mist over face. Keeps 5 days, refrigerated.

✽ 5Repair cuticles with tea tree oil!

Sourced from Australia’s arid Outback, tea tree oil is a potent antibacterial that heals cracked cuticles, says Whittel— and adding moisturizing coconut oil and vitamin E helps repair brittle nails.

Try it! Combine 4 drops tea tree oil, 1 Tbs. jojoba oil, 1 Tbs. melted coconut oil and 5 drops vitamin E oil in lidded jar. Massage into cuticles and nails daily. Keeps 1 month.

6Rehydrate

dry hair with agave!