Your hectic daily lifestyle can affect your daily skincare routine to a great extent. Many just don’t take the time they need for basic skincare, but years of neglect will slowly appear. Hence, you should make time for treating your skin so that it retains that youthful glow and remains soft and supple for years to come. Daily routines don’t have to be a chore, but they do require a little discipline if you want to take proper care of your skin. Skin can be affected by internal as well as external factors.

If we are considering external reasons, one of the biggest is over exposure to sunlight. Others include pollution, smoking, drinking, and poor diet. Clear, clean skin demands a balanced diet and a good digestive system to ensure your skin can process toxins effectively and keep acne eruptions and blemishes at bay. Choose suitable cosmetics and soaps that will suit your skin type. Include as many raw vegetables and fruits in your diet as you can to stay healthy. If you follow these good habits, you will definitely see a significant difference in the texture and quality of your skin.

You can also treat your skin externally by whipping up some homemade face packs and masks. A mix of milk and honey will keep your skin clean, soft and supple by introducing natural anti-microbials, and natural skin- softening agents found in lactic acid.  Another way to keep your skin healthy and glowing is by reducing blotches and age spots with a mix of honey and egg white.

For oily skin try combing cocoa (1/3 cup), heavy cream (3 teaspoons), honey (1/4 cup), ripe papaya (1/3 cup) and oatmeal powder (3 teaspoons). It might be tempting to eat the mixture it smells SO good, but save it for your skin!  After you put this mixture on your face let it dry for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. This is very effective for individuals who have oily skin.

For a great, effective homemade cleanser mix milk with cucumber juice. Use a natural oil like jojoba or almond oil to remove stubborn eye makeup.

Stay natural, stay beautiful!

Herbal Facial Mask

1 tbsp honey
1 raw egg
1 tsp crumbled dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp finely chopped fresh mint

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Let dry (10-15 minutes) and
rinse off with warm water.

SENSITIVE SKIN CUCUMBER MASK

This mask is perfect for sensitive skin.  Chill it in your fridge before use to make it especially soothing.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast
1 tablespoon finely ground oatmeal
1 whole cucumber
2 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream
1 teaspoon honey

Mix together the yeast and oats in a small bowl and set aside.

Peel the cucumber and place it in a small food processor and process until only liquid remains. Add the yogurt and honey and process further to mix. Add the brewer’s yeast and oats to the cucumber/honey mixture and process to mix fully. To use, apply to clean face and neck skin and leave on for anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour. Rinse well and follow with toner and moisturizer.

QUICK CUCUMBER PARSLEY FACIAL

The next time you make a salad, set aside just 3 tablespoons of basic ingredients, and you’ve got yourself a quick facial, to be enjoyed while soaking in the tub before bed.  You cannot get any easier, or quicker, than this.

1 Tbsp. Plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. Cucumber
1 Tbsp. Parsley
Puree (or use your handy rotating chopper — you know you bought one) the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth. Cover your face with this creamy mask. This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Do not store this mixture.  Especially over a long weekend.

GRAPEFRUIT & PARSLEY FACE MASK
Grapefruit and parsley are both effective and refreshing astringents, perfect for oily skin.

3 tablespoons very fine oatmeal (whirl oatmeal in a food processor, if necessary)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 large grapefruit
olive or sunflower oil

Mix 3 tablespoons of very fine oatmeal with two tablespoons of chopped parsley in a bowl. Add juice from half of a large grapefruit until you have a soft paste.  Let the mixture rest 5 minutes. Spread soft mixture over your face and let dry for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Follow with toner and moisturizer.