DIY Spring Skin Care

The weather has officially gotten warmer and the time has come to show off that sexy skin we've been hiding all winter! Fortunately, it doesn't have to cost much to prepare for that grand reveal. There are plenty of natural home care potions you can make right in your own kitchen for less than $10. 

Mint-

Apply fresh mint juice all over the face for the treatment of acne.

For a soothing body pack, prepare a paste of mint leaves and add the juice of a lemon. Mix it with warm water and apply all over your body. Leave it till it dries and rinse with warm water.

Olive Oil-

Olive oil is packed with antioxidants that can repair dry, irritated or inflamed skin, and can help prevent and repair damage that can lead to wrinkles or sun spots. Soak cotton swabs in the oil and apply to dry patches of skin; let sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. If the thought of applying oil directly to your skin freaks you out a bit (which I know it might for some people!) this is a great alternative.  Mix the juice from 1 lemon with 5 tablespoons of sea salt and one tablespoon of olive oil to create a luxurious body scrub.  The fresh lemon scent is invigorating and with the addition of olive oil, this scrub will leave your skin feeling fresh and moisturized and incredibly soft.

Papaya-   This tropical fruit contains the enzyme papain, which has great antibacterial and wound healing abilities. The enzyme also aids in removing dead, damaged skin.

Here is a papaya-based mask for all skin types:

Take ¼ cup of cocoa, 2 teaspoons of cream, ¼ cup ripe papaya, ¼ cup honey and 2 teaspoons of oatmeal powder. Mix and apply to your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water.

Honey-

Honey softens and moisturizes dry skin, and can be applied directly to problem areas – massage gently into skin and let sit for 2-3 minutes and rinse. Repeat daily and you will experience noticeably softer skin. It is also a natural antiseptic, and can clear small breakouts when applied directly.

Rice Flour-

Rice flour has been an oft-used ingredient to treat blemishes, wrinkles and pigmentation. One tablespoon of rice flour with 2 tablespoons of yogurt (avoid non-fat) makes for an effective cleansing milk.

For a simple rice flour pack, mix ¼ cup of rice flour, ¼ cup of milk and 1 tbsp honey. Apply on your face and neck and rinse off after 20 minutes.

It's a wonderful remedy for wrinkles and it also clears up your skin.

Coconut-

The transparent coconut water that comes out when the young coconut is first opened has the exact mineral content of human blood. No wonder it is called the tree of life! Washing your face with tender coconut water will keep it blemish free.

Cucumber-

Cucumber has great hydrating, nourishing and astringent properties.

They have the same pH as the skin so they help to restore the skin’s natural acid mantle. Regular use of cucumber prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles and dry skin. With over 95 percent water content, cucumber is a cooling cleanser. Mix cucumber juice with milk and use it as a cleanser. Apply cucumber juice or grated cucumber over the face to soothe skin eruptions. To say goodbye to dark circles, apply grated cucumber mixed with an equal measure of carrot juice. Rest for 20 minutes and rinse with cool water. Cucumber also offers a soothing relief for sunburn and itching.

Lemon-

This citrus-rich fruit is the most versatile beauty aid you can have. Lemon contains cleansing enzymes that remove the skin of dead cells and provide the cheapest clear skin remedy. With its marvelous astringent properties, lemon is a natural cleanser and a boon for oily skin. Mix a little alum with the juice of half a lemon. Rub this mixture on your face for an instant refreshing skin toner. Apply a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. The lemon will cleanse your skin, grapes will soften it and egg whites will tighten it. Rub half a lemon over rough spots and scrawny elbows to make them soft. Another instant refresher is the apple skin pack. Add grated apple skin with equal amounts of apple juice and lemon juice. Apply for 15 minutes and wash off.

Coconut Oil-

Coconut oil is another wonder oil, and one of its specialties is moisturizing! There are so many ways you can use it – lather it right onto the skin, apply to problem areas like your hands, cuticles, and joints, or add a few spoonfuls to your bath! It leaves skin feeling incredibly soft and it also smells amazing.