Time To Tone It Down

SO you've cleansed, steamed, masked or peeled your face. Now it's time to tone it. Toning tightens the skin and prepares the face and neck for the final step of moisturizing.

*Rosewater Astringent*

Remember the rose steam that you did earlier? I told you that you could easily make the rose water from it and, if you did, here is where you use it! If not, the following recipe is how to make it from scratch.

Take 1 cup of fresh rose petals and place into a bowl (make sure to use petals that are completely chemical free. Many roses are chemically treated to enhance color and prolong their longevity). Bring 1 cup of distilled water to a boil, then pour over the roses. Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the petals from the liquid and pour the liquid into a glass bottle. Cover and store bottle in the refrigerator.
Rosewater is a natural astringent. Apply it with cotton balls to the face and neck areas, avoiding the eyes and mouth.

*Aging Skin Tea Tonic*

This is a simple tonic that cleanses as it sooths, and tones. It is highly recommended for aging and tired skin.

Take 2 tsp. of powdered green tea and steep it in 1/2 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool. Once cooled, apply to the face and neck with a cotton ball or gauze. Use daily for best results.

*Normal to Slightly Oily Toner*

This toner removes residue, closes pores and restores balance to the skin. It is a lemon-mint toner.

Place a peppermint tea bag into 1 cup of boiling water and allow to steep for 15 minutes. After steeped, throw out the bag and allow the liquid to cool. Once cooled, add 1/4 cup of witch hazel and 1 Tbs. of lemon juice to the liquid. Store, covered, in a glass container in the refrigerator. Apply daily to the face and neck after following the other cleansing routines previously discussed.

*Mild Astringent Toner*

The acidity in the cranberries works as a mild astringent and toner in this recipe. Savory helps to cleanse the skin of excess oils and possesses antiseptic properties.

Place 1 Tbs. of dried, crushed savory leaves into a bowl and cover with 1/2 cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for 15 minutes, then strain and set liquid aside. Take 1/2 cup of cranberries and place into a blender and puree. Strain the pulp out of the liquid, throw out the pulp, and place the liquid with the savory liquid you previously set aside. Soak cotton pads or a facecloth in the liquid and lay on face, avoiding the eyes, leaving for 15 minutes. When time is up, remove pads or wash cloth and rinse face with warm water. Pat dry.

*Problem Skin Toner*

This toner is good for oily skin and skin with some acne. The ingredients are natural antibacterials and they will perk up and dry up the extra oil.

Mix 1/2 cup of witch hazel, 6 drops of tea-tree extract, 3 drops of rosemary essential oil, and 6 drops of oregano extract or oregano oil. Store in a glass container, covered, in the refrigerator. Shake well before using. Rub over face with a cotton ball after following the other skin care steps previously outlined.

*Dry Skin Toner*

Dry skin really just needs to be clarified at this point. You do not want to over dry it. This recipe is a very gentle toner. The chamomile sooths as it tones and the peppermint is a mild toner.
Mix 6 drops of chamomile essential oil, 6 drops of peppermint essential oil., 1/4 cup distilled water, and 1/4 cup of witch hazel. Store in a glass container, covered, in the refrigerator. Remember to shake well before using, and to follow the proper skin care routine.

*Normal skin Toner*

This is a balanced toner that is strong enough to remove all traces of cleanser, yet is not harsh and will not over-dry your skin.
Mix 1/4 cup distilled water, 1/2 cup gin, 6 drops of rose essential oil and 6 drops of lavender essential oil. Store in a glass bottle, in the refrigerator. Shake well before use.

All these toners should last 3-6 months in the refrigerator.

References: The Good Earth, by Casey Kellar, The Ultimate Spa Book, by Pam Sarnoff, Recipes for Natural Beauty, by Katie Spiers and Natures Beauty Kit, Deb Carpenter

Facing the Facts about Face Care

While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, it is also in the TIME of the beholder. The definition, or what constitutes classic beauty, changes with the years. The ancient Greeks believed that the facial proportions needed to be harmonious for a woman to be beautiful, while the Victorians favored thin lips, and Rubens portrayed goddesses with double chins and fat cheeks.
Today, per our magazine models, we seem to favor thin bodied women with full, lush lips.

Throughout history women have gone to great lengths to achieve the standard, "beautiful" face. Elizabethan women went so far as to cover their faces in lead, achieving the coveted ghostly pallor of the beautiful face. Roman women smeared wax on wrinkles and mercury based lotions on freckles and spots, to maintain the beautiful face.

No matter what you, or the magazines, feel is the face of beauty today, women all over want clean, healthy skin. You can cover your hands and feet, camouflage your skin in clothing, but your face remains out there for all to see. Too many late nights, exposure to weather, stress, and poor diet all affect the sensitive skin of the face. To maintain health and beauty it is important to care for yourself and your skin. Pampering yourself is the key to putting your best face forward!

There are five steps to a perfect face. 1. Cleanse. This will rid your skin of dirt, makeup and oils. 2. Steam. This opens the pores, increases blood circulation in the facial capillaries and deep cleanses the skin. 3. Mask or Peel. This will further remove residue deep in the pores. It also nourishes and replenishes the skin with essential vitamins and minerals. 4. Tone. Toner tightens the pores and prepares the skin to accept the moisturizer.
5. Moisturize. This replenishes the skin with fluid and gives it a fine coat of protective film.

Here are some more tips for face care, then the next post will offer some more recipes!

• Remember to ALWAYS clean your face BEFORE doing a steam.
• Pull your hair back so you can get right up to the hairline.
• ALWAYS wear sunscreen when outside.
• Don't forget to moisturize above your upper lip and the area above the cheekbones, but below the eyes. These areas tend to be particularly lacking in moisture.
• When applying peels and masks, use a dark towel to avoid staining.
• Steam your skin once a week for the benefits mentioned in the steps of facial care.
• Be cautious when steaming. You do NOT want to scald the skin. If the steam is burning the inside of your nose, wait a few minutes for the water to cool down, the try again.
• Eating more whole grains, eggs, leafy greens and broccoli will naturally increase vitamin E in your system. Vitamin E promotes skin elasticity.
• Eating more spinach, cantaloupe, carrots and pumpkin will increase the amount of vitamin A in your diet, which lubricates and heals the skin.
• Don't forget to cleanse and care for your neck, just as you care for your face. Neck skin ages the same way the skin on your face does.
  

Recipes for problems

Sooth BEE STINGs with a simple home recipe. Mix 1/4 cup of baking powder with 3-4 drops of chamomile oil or extract. Then, run the powder through a sifter a few times. When mixed well, add enough water to make a paste. Stirring in a little at a time to ensure the proper consistency. When you have the paste made, apply to the affected area and toss out the left over, as there is no shelf life. With help for BUG BITES, mix 1/4 cup of sweet oil (sweet oil is the purest form of olive oil. Ask your pharmacist for it if you cannot find it), 5 drops of eucalyptus, oregano pure, and thyme essential oils (you may use oregano extract instead of EO if you want), and 6 drops of chamomile essential oil. Mix together well and store in a dark, glass bottle. It is best to keep in a cool, dark location also. There is a 5-6 month shelf life, so you can make a batch & use it all summer long! For SUNBURNS mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel, plain yogurt, and apple cider vinegar. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator and be sure to shake before you use. Apply once an hour for the first three hours, then as desired. This mixture will remain good for 1-2 weeks. For PROBLEM SPOTS on your FACE (pimples and acne), mix 1tsp. of tea-tree extract, 2 tsp. of witch hazel, and 1/4 tsp of wintergreen oil. Mix all together and shake well. You may store in a bottle for about 6 months. Dab a cotton ball into the solution and dab onto the problem area. This mixture has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiseptic and analgesic properties. **Again, the basic recipes are from the Good Earth Bath, Beauty and Health Book written by Casey Kellar. Now see how good this book is? It is definitely worth the money to purchase it!