Raw Food and Natural Beauty
When we are eating raw food, we start paying a lot of attention to what goes into our bodies. I thought it was time for a little reminder to think about what we are putting on our bodies, too. Our bodies are absorbing chemicals from our beauty products almost as easily as if we were eating them.
Pick up your bottle of lotion. Or your face cream. Read the ingredients. Now, go get a spoon and dig in. Obviously, I am kidding. But while we wouldn’t eat what is in the jar, we don’t think twice about slathering it all over our bodies. When we take into consideration that our skin is the biggest organ on our bodies, and is highly absorbent, I think we need to wake up and be much more aware of what we are putting on our bodies.
Think about how the medical world is now dispensing many of our drugs, through skin patches. There are patches for menopause, birth control, quitting smoking, depression, and chronic pain. The patch is even being considered for delivering insulin for diabetics. A simple patch that you place on your skin. This should alert you to what a great transportation system your skin is for drugs and chemicals.
There are quite a few great chemical free alternatives out there. Because they can be expensive, I thought I would share a few of my lo-cost, effective skin treatments with you.
My favorite skin moisturizer is Sweet Almond Oil. I actually get mine in bulk at the local co-op. After every shower, before I dry off, I coat my skin with the oil and then towel off. Not only is the oil very moisturizing, it is quick and easy to do in the shower and if you do it while your skin is still wet, you get the extra added benefit of sealing in moisture. I love it. You can always add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil (make sure it is appropriate to put on your skin) for a beautiful fragrance.
I even add a few drops of almond oil to my hair conditioner. My hair is a bit on the dry side so the extra oil makes my hair beautifully shinny and healthy. Sweet almond oil is full of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids. It is also a great source of vitamin E and A with a few B vitamins thrown in for good measure.
The next time you are thinking of buying that expensive, perfumed skin lotion, think sweet almond oil instead. Your outsides and your insides will thank you. I would love to hear about your natural beauty products!
For other natural beauty products, check out these posts:
Emma wrote on January 20, 2011
About the oat groat tea- how exactly does one prepare that? Does one add steeped tea to the ground oats or just hot water…?
Any details are much appreciated!
Susan - Canada wrote on December 28, 2010
I’d love to use Manuka Honey as a moisturizer. I’m sure I should mix it with some oil because it is quite thick. I’m just not sure of the ratio I should use for each. Any ideas out there? Thanks.
Daphne wrote on November 18, 2010
I prepare and use shea butter and glycerin for my lotion now instead of commercial products, and I have noticed how soft my skin has become. I use african shea butter as my sunscreen.
Karen Apostolova wrote on November 12, 2010
Hey Julie, I saw the shea butter to sell in one vegan shop, but I ve never tried. I really want to try it. And now that you are saying is so good I will try it. I m hearing a lot of people talking about damascena rose oil or mosqueta rose oil for the wrinkles around eyes. I tried a tester and is phenomenal! I have to buy it! 🙂 Now for the body I m using the coconut oil, the same used for the deserts, and it gives to my skin such of softness, like a baby skin. I could not believe just the coconut butter could make it. Thanks to everybody for share all this information, this blog is so good for having this such of discussion here.
Kathy wrote on November 11, 2010
I bought a “do it yourself” natural beauty products book called “Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homeade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self” by Stephanie Tourles, a bit over two years ago. It has some great recipes to take care of the body head-to-toe. There are some simple ideas for masks, cleansers, scrubs, shampoos, and conditioners that you can make with fresh ingredients and kitchen staples. There’s a fantastic recipe for an all-in-one scrub/cleanser/mask that is made out of ground oats and sunflower seeds hat can be kept in a jar for up to a year– I tripled the recipe last year and gave it to all my friends as a stocking stuffer!
Sarah Mendenhall wrote on November 9, 2010
I use all natural organic handmade soap and moisturize with olive oil scented with a few drops of vanilla, I love how fresh my face looks and feels!
Julie Testerman wrote on November 9, 2010
Karen A–what do you think about organic Shea Butter? I started using this recently on my face and really love it. It has really helped with the wrinkles around my eyes. It doesn’t tighten my face, but it sure is soft and hydrated. It is hard in the jar, but once you put in on your finger, the warmth of the hand makes it spreadable. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it very much.
Karen Apostolova wrote on November 8, 2010
Catherine, I m using tea tree oil for the hair. Is great! Specially if is very damaged. I use on the ends, because mine have this tendency to became double. Sesame oil I ve tried i had one very bad allergic reaction related with my breath and hert biting. May be better to try on a little part of the body first. And no, I m not allergic to sesame seeds, but the oil made me this reaction. I tried oats just like Cindy advise. Is also great, but for grassy skin should be used just once per week.
Nikita wrote on November 8, 2010
Apparently primrose oil works for thinning hair (take pills internally). Does anyone have a good face wash recipe that is easy to use/make and works for sensitive skin?