When we discuss skin care, most of the time we talk about new products which come out in the market and the remarkable things they can do for our skin.

However, this blog is all about home remedy for skin care. This can include things like a healthy diet, and applying natural products found in our pantry and fridges.

The eternal question in all our minds is what the key to great skin is and how to achieve it? Well, besides using cosmetic products which can sometimes cause more harm than good, is a home remedy. This has been used in many cultures for hundreds of years and continues even today.

By making a few lifestyle changes as well as increasing physical mobility (yes, exercising!!) it can do wonders to the skin and improve the overall texture.

Water, Water, Water

This has been repeated over and over again but we still do not get it. There is nothing like water and drinking lots of it; 7-9 glasses a day will ensure a healthy skin which will glow for a long time. Drinking water also helps to detoxify the skin; especially if you drink warm water throughout the day. Water is essential for skin care.

Exercise Your Skin

Is exercise a home remedy for skin care? Yes, it can be. Exercising stimulates blood circulation. This in turn will circulate nutrients to different parts of your body. By exercising daily; even for a few minutes a day you can delay the signs of aging such as wrinkles and the appearance of fine lines becoming more prominent.

Eat Well

The type of food you put in your body matters a great deal when we are talking about our skin. It is known that a well-balanced diet will not only have you looking younger but do wonders for your skin. Balanced meals ensure that the lustre of your skin can be maintained for many years.

Antioxidant rich foods should form part of your daily diet. Green leafy vegetables, vegetables such as sweet potatoes and fruits such as strawberries and mangoes should be part of a rich antioxidant diet.

Smoke Free

Stop smoking and avoid skin damage. This is as simple as it gets. Not only smoking is really bad for you, but this unhygienic habit damages your skin. Wrinkles appear earlier in people who smoke.

Skin Care Home Remedies

Marketing and Advertising has gone on overdrive and as such, we fill our cabinets with one hundred and one lotions and balms. Instead, consider the following remedies:

Papaya

Papaya has properties to stop premature aging of the skin. For acne prone skin, try using a papaya mask for treatment.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is great for reducing/ getting rid of pimples. Simply prepare a lotion with equal parts of lime juice, rose water and glycerine. Try this in a small area of your skin first to ensure you do not get a reaction as for some skin types, lime juice is too strong.

Pineapple Juice

Yes, this may come as a surprise but a skin care home remedy is pineapple. Mix it with carrot juice and give your skin a healthy glow. The vitamin A in carrots will help lift the skin and revitalise it. Just leave the solution for 10 minutes and wash away with warm water. This works great with those who need skin protection from sun damage.

Skin care is really in our hands. Instead of spending money on chemically rich lotions and potions, try home remedies and be pleasantly surprised at the results but notice your pockets full for a change instead of that empty feeling!!

It is important to know your skin type because of one very simple reason: beautiful skin. We all want beautiful skin but are afraid that we can never achieve the supermodel or actress look. Would you then be surprised if you were told that these celebrities have to do lots of touching up to look perfect everyday of their lives!!

We are not celebrities but there is nothing stopping us from being able to look like them. If you are heavily into the use of cosmetics then…read on.

It is crucial to understand what your skin type is first, then to purchase your cosmetic product. It is true that most of us have no idea what our skin type is; oily skin, normal skin, acne prone skin or even a combination of two skin types. It is a fact that no two skins are exactly the same but with research over time, skin types have been grouped in the following general terminology. This is then in turn used by the cosmetic companies to sell their products. Generally speaking, your skin can either be normal skin, oily skin, dry skin or a combination skin.
Let’s look in detail what the skin types are and how to care for these skin types.

Normal Skin Type

Baby skin is often described as normal skin. It is smooth and feels you are gliding your hand over a cloud or butter. The skin has a rosy colour and looks moisturised. Most importantly, the pores are barely visible and fine.

Normal Skin Care

If you have normal skin, then it is best to leave it normal if you must use makeup, try using light makeup. Also, ensure you wipe away the makeup before going to bed.

Dry Skin Type

Most of us come under this category. Our skin tends to be dry and this leads to the skin feeling taut even after a wash. The danger with dry skin and not doing anything about it is that it wrinkle prone and ages prematurely.

Dry Skin Care

If you have dry skin, then it is best to ensure that the skin is constantly hydrated and moisturised. Do not wash dry skin with cold water and soap. Also, do not use alcohol based creams and lotions as alcohol dries up the skin. Diets which are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D should also be taken.

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin is defined as skin which is shiny, thick and coarse. Pores are clearly visible which then lead to blackhead and pimples. This skin type needs to be cleaned thoroughly.

Oily Skin Care

Those with oily skin need to ensure that they only use cosmetics which are specifically made for oily skin. Cleansing the pores by facial steaming once a week is effective in removing the greasy look on the face.

Combination Skin Type

Many of us have combination skin. This means that part of the face may be dry and the other part may be oily. Or the bottom of the face is dry and the upper part is normal.

Combination Skin Care

If you have combination skin, there are ways to look after it and ensure you balance both the skin types but at the same time look good and achieve beautiful skin. Use a mild cleaner on your entire face. Also ensure you use a good moisturiser on the dry areas of the face. Look for products which contain ingredients which can normalize the skin. This will remove the dead skin cells and give you a younger appearance. These ingredients are normally derived from fruit, milk and sugar cane. Most importantly, do not forget to use sunscreen.

Once you are able to identify your skin type, you will be able to combat your skin conditions much better and aim for the beautiful skin you have dreamt of.

With many natural skin care products being introduced, we are forgetting that organic natural skin care is also an available option.

In recent times, people are slowly switching to the use of natural skin care products as they realise that cosmetic products contain chemicals that produce side effects such as inflammation, dryness and irritations.

The greatest benefit of organic products is the fact that they work to get deep down into the skin layers and as such actually stimulate the cells to generate collagen and elastin. This means that the skin is better able to retain moisture and pores are much cleaner.

Organic natural skin care is all about using ingredients such as herbs and flowers, roots and essential oils. It is all about using botanical ingredients which are sourced in their natural form by nature.

Below, are a few tips to keep in mind whenever you are about to purchase a skin care product:

• Ensure you read product labels of any product you buy which you are going to use for your skin. You need to know what you are applying and whether it is really good for your skin.
• Just because a tag proclaims that the product is natural does not mean it really is. This is where it gets controversial as the dictionary meaning and what a cosmetic manufacturer defines natural as, are two very different things. Tread carefully as some the “natural ingredients” can prove to be very dangerous.
• The same thing will apply for organic products. It is best to look for certified logos that will guarantee the product is genuinely organic.

If you feel that you want to give skin care products a break for a while; which may also include organic products ,then ensure that you keep a healthy diet by drinking lots of water and eating green leafy vegetables as well as eating fruits regularly.

Also, use sunscreen regularly as well as take multivitamins and food rich in Vitamin C. If you have the time, even if it is 10 minutes a day, exercise as this opens up your pores when you sweat.

For truly everlasting good skin, use a variety of measures such as organic skin care products as well as natural skin care products. You will need to decide what works for your skin type and what does not.

Honey has been used for years when it comes to skin care.

Below, are a few ways of using honey as a natural skin care remedy.

Honey Bath

A honey bath can do wonders for the skin and leave it feeling soft and supple. Fill your bathtub with hot water and add 1/3 to 2/3 of honey and a cup of milk. Soak in this luxurious bath for at least 20 minutes.  Feel the tensions leave your body but this is also a great way for a natural skin care solution compared to expensive treatments using all sorts of chemicals.

Honey Facial Mask

Like any facial routine, first wash your face with warm water (not hot water) and then add a thin layer of honey. (Organic, if possible). Leave the honey mask on for a few minutes. (At least 30 minutes) and then rinse with warm water. The secret to getting it right is the final step which is rinsing with cold water so that you can tighten the pores. Try this on a weekly basis for a month and see the difference.

Honey Facial Scrub

Mix 1 cup of honey, 1 cup of coarse salt and ½ a cup of olive oil. Apply this mixture in a circular motion and rinse thoroughly. There you have it, another natural skin care remedy using honey.

Honey Lip Balm

If you have ever wanted to make your very own honey lip balm, now you can. All you have to do is mix ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of honey and apply to your lips before going to bed. This is a great help for the winter months where there are the highest chances of cracked and sore lips.

Honey is an ingredient which is readily available plus most of us have it in our pantry. There are many ideas out there on how to make natural skin care recipes using honey. Try the above and share them with your friends.