Natural Skin Care Products from the Kitchen Homemade Creams that Nourish, Protect, Treat and Invigorate Dry Skin

Skin absorbs what it comes in contact with so providing it with nourishing, natural ingredients from homemade creams, rich in vitamins and antioxidants gives it new life.

Most of the skin care products that many Americans use in daily, consist of a wealth of chemicals. According to Planet Green at Discovery.com, human skin is not a barrier; it absorbs these products into the body so, "we absorb the nearly 130 chemicals we regularly expose ourselves to." They also go on to say that, "More than 1,110 personal-product ingredients have been banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union because of concerns that they may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive ills. By contrast only 10 are banned here in the U.S."
That is not to say that the products that are used for skin care in the United States are cancer-causing or harmful, many are considered safe, but they have not undergone extensive testing to be sure what the long term effects might be or if there is any danger with prolonged exposure to these products. Some people feel that use of these kinds of products should be limited and natural products should be substituted, even if it is just to err on the side of caution.

Banana and Oatmeal Facial Mask
For nourishing and deep cleansing, oatmeal should be ground finely by using a food processor or blender to make about two tablespoons. If more is ground, it can be stored in an air tight container or bag for future use. This ground oatmeal can then be mixed with 1/2 of a mashed ripe banana, one teaspoon of honey, two tablespoons of olive oil and enough water to make a thick paste.
Once all the ingredients are mixed together it should be smoothed onto the skin and allowed to remain there for 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. The oatmeal cleanses the skin, the bananas provide nutrients and moisture as does the honey and olive oil, turning dull, dry skin into soft, healthy skin.

Tomato and Yogurt Cleanser

In the book, Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin, by Pierre Jean Cousin, M.B.Ac.C (2001, Storey Books), he recommends a cleanser made of by mixing the juice from one tomato and an equal amount of plain yogurt and blotting it on the skin. This cleanser should stay on the skin for about ten minutes and then can be rinsed off with tepid water. According to Pierre Jean Cousin, this cleanser is excellent for cleansing oily skin. The tomato adds nutrients and its acidity deep cleans while the lactic acid and probiotics in the yogurt gently cleanse and nourish the skin.

Avocado for Nourishing Dry Skin

Avocados are sodium and cholesterol free and contain nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients according to the California Avocado Commission. These vitamins include vitamins A, C, E, iron, potassium, niacin, pantothenic acid, and protein. Avocados are best to use for skin care when they are fully ripe
The skin of the avocado can also be used by rubbing it directly on the skin. The skin holds an extra store of oils that contain a humectant which is a substance that holds moisture. Once the avocado peel has been rubbed on the skin, the oils should remain there for at least 15 minutes before washing off. The oils can stay on for longer or can be left on overnight to penetrate and benefit the skin. It can also be worn under makeup for a nourishing all-day treatment.To use the meat of the avocado, it should be mashed thoroughly and applied to skin. It can be used alone or mixed with other nutrient rich foods such as olive oil, beaten egg yolks or mayonnaise to cleanse and nourish dry or flaky skin. Mixing with these ingredients also makes a great hair conditioner for damaged hair. It can be applied to skin or hair and left on for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing off.
Nature provides so many nutrients for the skin that some may argue that there is really no reason to use commercially processed creams and lotions. However, there are many people who stand by their trusted brands and would never switch. The scientific facts are that skin needs nourishment and moisture and no matter how it gets it, giving it what it needs will keep it feeling young, moisturized and healthy.