Facing your Face Care, natural recipes for facial cleansing

Here are some recipes for the first step in facial care, cleansing. Tomato Rub for normal to oily skin:

• Take a slice of ripe tomato and rub it over your face and neck. Allow the juices to soak into your skin for five minutes. The mild acid in the tomato will bring dirt and impurities to the skins surface. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water, pat dry.

Daily Cleanser for normal skin:

• Take 2 sprigs of fresh thyme & crush it (fresh is best, but you can use 1/2 TBS. dried thyme) and mix in a bowl with 2 tsp. of crushed fennel seed. Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the fennel seeds and thyme. Add the juice of 1/2 a lemon and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture (called an infusion), throw out the plant material, and store the liquid in a jar in the refrigerator. To use, simply dab onto face and neck with a cotton ball.

As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning. They help reduce puffiness and superficial irritations. Thyme is used in antiseptic preparations and is a good natural astringent. This recipe is very gentle, so it makes a great daily morning cleanser. Oily skin cleanser:

• 2 TBS apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 TBS distilled water. Being careful to avoid the eyes, apply mixture to the face with a cotton ball. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

This is a fast, effective way to remove dirt and residue from the face. If you have normal skin, use this recipe only for those times when you are short on time and need a quick cleansing. For oily skin, use daily, or alternate with another recipe. As you begin to experiment with the various recipes, you will learn which recipes you prefer and what combination works best for your skin care. Everyday Cleanser:

• Take 1/2 cup of old fashioned (not quickoats) oatmeal and grind it in the blender or food processor. In a small bowl combine 2 TBS. honey, 1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk, and the ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly until it has the consistency of paste. Smooth over face and neck, then leave on for 15 minutes. When time is up rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This can be used daily, but it is best as a morning treatment.

Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator that removes dead surface cells and residue. It helps restore the skin's moisture. Also, it can be used as a mild cleanser instead of soap. Yogurt softens the skin, and honey is a natural humectant (meaning it draws moisture to itself). Altogether, these ingredients make this this a great daily cleansing moisturizer. Facial cleanser for everyone:

• Mix 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (this is the purest, most mild, natural soap available), 1/8 cup distilled water, 3-4 drops of chamomile essential oil, and 1 TBS. orange or lemon juice. Place in jar and store in the refrigerator. This should last about 1-2 months. Wash your face with this daily, rinse with tepid water, pat dry and complete your routine care.

Next post will give recipes for step two of the facial care regimen, toners. Bibliography: The Beauty Bible by Paula Begoun, The Herbal Home Spa, by Greta Breedlove, Nature's Beauty Kit, by Deb Carpenter, and Natural Beauty at Home, by Janice Cox.