All about soap

Funny thing happens when you stand in the soap aisle. You get overwhelmed. And then you go to the boutiques & the department stores & they are filled with $20 bars of soap & $30 bottles of bath gel.

 So really then, do women who bath with $80 bath bars have better skin than someone who rubs on the, oh, say Ivory? (We do hate that smell, by the way). No really. But then again if they can afford $80 bath bars, they probably pay for $200 monthly facials & body scrubs as well.

Ok, ok, we'll get down to the real nitty gritty. The truth is the best body cleansers are pure & simple. Plain works just as well as fancy. Here's the rundown:

1. Deodorant soap These soaps actually contain bacteria-killing chemicals that can dry out your skin. Regular soap will get rid of odors just as well.
2. Anti-bacterial soap The only people who really need this special soap are doctors, elementary school teachers and those with bad back acne. Normal soap (again, Ivory, Dove or any other typical bath bar found just about anywhere) will keep you just as clean and bacteria-free.
3. Shower & bath gels Most bath & shower gels contain sodium laurel sulfate, a chemical that can be drying to your skin. Who knew? Yep. Might as well keep them for your guests only or for special occasions. They are fun to use after all.

Homemade Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

This mask is great for soothing chapped, sunburned or otherwise irritated skin.
Extra tip: This mask works well for other skin types as well. For oily skin, add a couple drops of lemon or lime juice. For dry skin, mix in a couple tablespoons of honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural yogurt (we like it just-out-of-the-fridge cold)
• ½ cup oatmeal (any type of basic oatmeal works here)

 

Preparation:

Mix the ingredients together.
Apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes.
Wash off mask with a washcloth steamed in the microwave (careful that it's not too hot). 

Two other fun options for oatmeal face masks:
Egg whites. Mix the oatmeal and an egg white. Let the mixture dry on face, then gently wash off with a few splashes of warm water. Follow with a steaming washcloth to the face.
Peptol-Bismol. A friend of mine uses Pepto-Bismol with oatmeal for her masks. She got this tip years ago from a magazine. She suggests the active ingredient (bismuth subsalicylate) in Pepto-Bismol soothes your stomach as well as your face. 

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Homemade Face Mask for Aging Skin

Sugar is a preferred exfoliant to salt because it tends not to tear at the skin. When dead skin collects on the surface of skin, it's important to slough it away. This helps clear up clogged pores. When skin isn't exfoliated, it can appear ashy.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp warm water

 

Preparation:

Stir sugar into warm water so that it melts.
Make sure granules are dissolved, otherwise they could tear your skin.
Apply to the face.
Gently massage around the skin.

Rinse with warm water OR I like to take a warm washcloth that's steamed in the microwave. Make sure the washcloth is not too hot.

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Homemade Milk Mask for Dry Skin

This recipe makes a mask for two

Ingredients:

 

• 1 tsp powdered milk
• 1 tbsp runny honey
• 1 tsp aloe vera gel
• 2 drops essential oil

Preparation:

 

This is a classic milk mask for the face. Mix ingredients well, apply to face, let sit for 15 minutes, wash off with warm water. This recipe is enough for two. (Note: The original recipe called for 1 tbsp pulverized almonds, but I have removed it from the ingredients list because almonds, no matter how pulverized, can tear at skin).

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Homemade Face Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados and honey are particularly moisturizing.

Ingredients:

• ½ avocado
• ¼ cup honey

 

Preparation:

A classic recipe for dry skin. Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey.
Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes.
Rinse face with a cool washcloth.

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Homemade Face Mask for Combination Skin

This mask, based on roses, is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.

Ingredients:

• Optional: 6 fresh rose petals
• 2 tbsps rosewater
• 1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (not lowfat or non-fat)
• 1 tbsp runny honey (to get honey runny, you can warm it in a microwave for a few seconds).

Preparation:

Soak rose petals, then crush them in a bowl.
Add the rosewater, yogurt and honey.
Mix well and apply to the skin.
Leave on for 10 minutes.
Rinse.

Simple Mask for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

This recipe is adapted from Paula Begoun's book, 'The Beauty Bible'. According to Begoun in her famous book, Milk of Magnesia is actually liquid magnesium. Like clay, it's from the earth, but has disinfecting qualities and absorbs oil better than clay. A friend of mine tried this and said her skin never felt better. She loved the natural qualities of the mask, which she doesn't find in storebought products.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Milk of Magnesia (Paula insists no flavors, please)

Preparation:

Apply the Milk of Magnesia to face.
Wash with cool washcloth after 10-15 minutes.

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Homemade Clay Mask for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Clay masks help neutralize skin. You can pick up clay from any health-food store.

Ingredients:

• A basic fuller's earth clay (if skin is sensitive, French green clay is a good option)
• 1 tsp honey
• water (for a richer mask, substitute half-and-half)
• your favorite essential oil 

Preparation:

I find it's best to mix 2 parts water (or half and half) to 1 part clay, mixing in a bit of honey.
Add more water (or cream) if clay is too dry.
Add a few drops of the essential oil.
Keep mask on for 15 minutes.

Rinse off with a steaming washcloth (I like to steam my washcloths with a couple drops of the essential oils in the microwave, but make sure washcloth is not too hot).
Tip: This recipe works for dry or normal skin too. Add another tablespoon of honey and add a few drops of essential oils for your skin type.

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Homemade Juice Mask for Oily Skin

Strawberry and lemon juice contain natural astringents. Note: Recipe works for two people, so invite a friend, or cut recipe in half for just you.

Ingredients:

 

• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tsp honey
• 1 cup strawberries
• Optional: 4 drops of your favorite essential oils

Preparation:

 

Mash or blend the above ingredients.
Smooth over face.
Let it stay for 10 minutes.
Rinse.

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Banana Mask for Oily Skin

This is a soothing face mask and great if you have bananas around the house.

Ingredients:

 

• 1 banana, preferably ripe (you can keep ripe bananas in the freezer. Let it thaw before using)
• 1 tbsp honey
• An orange or a lemon

 

Preparation:

Mix the banana and honey together.
Add a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon.
Apply to face for 15 minutes before rinsing with a cool washcloth or a steaming warm washcloth.

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