Inexpensive Natural Skin Care Tips

Inexpensive Natural Skin Care Tips

1. Keep your skin healthy from the inside with a healthy diet in addition to drinking plenty of water a day to flush out toxins and impurities. Water is an internal shower for your body.

2. Use natural oils such as olive or coconut oil to moisturize your face. They won't clog your pores like some commercial products that are on the market today. Go lightly around the nose and and eyes.

3. Coconut oil makes a great moisturizer for your driest spots like lips, heels and elbows.

4. Skip washing your hair everyday if you suffer from dry scalp. Over shampooing removes much needed natural oils.

5. To wash make-up off your face, gently rub some olive oil onto your face and then wipe it off with a clean and dry microfiber cloth. The cloth will not only remove the makeup and oil, but it will also gently exfoliate your face as well.

6. Try your hand at making your own skin care products with easy ingredients like baking soda, sugar, oatmeal, milk, honey, olive oil, or avocado oil. They are cost effective and you know exactly what you are putting on your skin. (Homemade Face Mask Recipes)

7. Dry brush your body with a microfiber cloth to exfoliate your skin and slough off dead skin cells. This is a centuries old practice that is still used by many today.

8. When purchasing products read the labels carefully and only buy products with recognizable ingredients, organic if possible, without parabens or fragrance.

9. Get at least 15 minutes of sun every day ... but not too much. Your skin needs sunlight for optimum health but staying out to long can damage your skin. It is important to strike a good balance. If you will be out in the sun for long, wear protective clothing and a big sun hat.

Tinted Moisturizer to Even Out Skin Tone

If your skin tone is uneven, even a little bit, use a tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone before applying loose powder foundation. This is a little known beauty tip that makes such a huge difference. Besides achieving the look of an even skin tone, you'll moisturize your skin at the same time.

Is Your Skin Breaking Out More These Days?

Is your skin breaking out more these days? It could be that your skin has become sensitive over time; you could be allergic to the new product you've started using; or something that you are putting on your skin has gone bad (products do spoil).

Skin that is prone to allergic reactions must be treated with care and that includes the lotion you choose to use.

Look for lotions and other cosmetic products that are fragrance free, unscented, allergy-tested, dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic (which means it is less allergenic).

Seek out your doctors advice if your skin problems persist.

Sunscreen - The Single Most Important Age-Erasing Step

Sunscreen lotion is the single most important age-erasing step you can take in your daily skin care plan. Your best bet is to use a lotion or cream based sunscreen as a moisturizer for both your face and your body.

Make sure to choose a sunscreen or moisturizer-sunscreen that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least fifteen, but preferably thirty, or higher (such as forty-five if necessary).

Also look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. These are often referred to as full-spectrum sunscreens. This form of sunscreen offers the most protection in terms of preventing the surface burning of skin and deeper tissue damage.

Dry Red Cheeks that Itch

If you don't normally have skin problems, but lately you are experiencing dry red cheeks that itch, it could simply be dry skin. If you suspect dry skin could be the problem, put a few drops of olive oil on a cotton ball, and then apply it to your cheeks twice a day. If the problem is simply dry skin (very common in winter), you should notice a change in a day or two.

If you suspect the problem could be something else, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Argument Against Using Astringents for Oily Skin

There are arguments for and arguments against using astringents for oily skin. Of course, you are the ultimate decision maker for your own skin.

One theory is that topical astringents and soaps don't work well on oily skin because they dry only the top layer of skin.

As the hair grows towards the surface of the skin, in a shaft called a hair follicle, it is conditioned with oil (sebum) secreted from the sebaceous glands. For some, the sebaceous gland overproduces oil, thus creating "oily skin".


For a person with oily skin, over-the-counter topical astringents and soaps may seem to be the answer to their oily skin problem, however, these products, for the most part, only dry the surface of the skin.

A better over-the-counter approach is to use one of the many topical moisturizers that absorb oil throughout the day from the surface of the skin, and condition the skin at the same time.


I talked to three different women who suffer with excessively oily skin, one being my sister. All three seem to have their oily skin under control with Mary Kay's Oil Control Lotion.
This is not a plug for Mary Kay, and I am not compensated for mentioning their name. But with the positive feedback I've heard about the product, if i failed to mention it, I would be doing a injustice to my readers.

Money Saving Skin Exfoliant - Baking Soda

To unclog the pores of the skin and at the same time remove dead skin cells, gently massage a paste of baking soda (3 tablespoons baking soda to 2 tablespoon water), over the skin for 2 - 3 minutes.

Remember to massage the eyebrows, where dead skin cells are more difficult to reach.

The massaging action combined with the small baking soda particles not only help slough off dead skin cells, they also work to remove plugs made from a combination of oil and dead skin cells from the opening of the pores of the skin.

Relieving clogged pores, reduces the likelihood of blemishes, including blackheads and whiteheads.

To prevent irritation, it's important to rinse all traces of baking soda from the skin.

Follow treatment with your favorite moisturizer.

Bonus Tips: Before applying the baking soda, rinse the face in fairly warm water. This helps to widen the pores of the skin. After massaging the skin, rinse the face in warm water removing all traces of baking soda. When the face is throughly cleansed, splash the skin with cold water to shrink the opening of the pores of the skin.

Homemade Strawberry and Yogurt Oily Skin Toner

If you love strawberries like I do, and your skin is on the oily side, this homemade strawberry and yogurt skin toner may be just right for you. Be sure to read Getting to Know Strawberries at the bottom of this post.




1/2 cup mashed strawberries
1/2 cup plain yogurt

1. Purée strawberries and yogurt into a smooth paste (A small blender works best for this).
2. Apply this mixture to your face, neck, and chest area with clean hands.
3. After 20 minutes, wash toner off with a warm cloth; and then rinse with a cold cloth to shrink the size of the pores of the skin.

Note: Depending on the water content of your strawberries, you may need to use fewer strawberries than ½ cup. This skin toner for oily skin should be nice and fluffy after blending.

Getting to know Strawberries …

One cup strawberries contain 160% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C based on a 2000 calorie a day diet. Source: California Strawberry Commission’s Food label (Nutrients) 2/16/10.

Strawberries are a member of the rose family; are on the list of kids favorite fruits; may help lower bad cholesterol; and have only 50 calories per cup. Source: 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life

For more beauty tips, visit our website at Makeup and Beyond

Warm Paraffin Wax Bath for Dry, Painful, and Stiff Hands and Feet

A warm paraffin wax bath is a viable beauty treatment suited for dry, painful, or stiff, hands and feet.

Whether you work outside, or you work inside, your hands can take a brutal beating. Winter weather, repeated hand washing, overuse, and even filing papers in the office are all harsh on the hands.

Warm paraffin wax helps to restore some moisture to the skin and in return, yields a softness that is so touchable. For some, the warmth of the wax has been reported to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with sore muscles and joints of the hands and feet.

I’ve had my paraffin wax bath set for several years now, and it is a purchase I’m thankful that I made.

Please leave a comment below about your experience with warm paraffin wax treatments.

Warm or cold water? What works best for washing your face?

Ask half the women if you should wash your face in warm water, and they will tell you "yes". Ask the other half, and they'll probably tell you "no", that it is best to wash your face in cold water. So what is it? Warm or cold?

The preferred temperature is lukewarm water (not too hot, but not too cold). Lukewarm water opens the pores of the skin which allows the facial cleanser to get in there to remove makeup and grime.

However, for rinsing the face, it is better to splash cold water on the skin. Cold water closes up the pores of the skin.

Skin Care before Your Wedding

For a bride to look her best on her wedding day, she should schedule an appointment with a beauty consultant or cosmetologist three months before her wedding day to discuss skin care and her wedding makeup details.

Many beauty consultants offer free skin care and makeup advice for their clients; and most are happy to be with the bride on her wedding day. I've been advised that many Mary Kay directors are available to work with brides, and their bridal party, at no cost.

Whomever you choose, it is important to start working with a skin care advisor a few months before your big day.

What Are Those Brown Spots On My Skin Called?

Those brown spots on your skin that you are calling age spots are most likely lentigines. They are flat, brown to black spots that usually start appearing on our hands, face, shoulders, and lower legs in our early forties.

Lentigines have been called age spots, brown spots, solar lentigo, sun spots, and liver spots.

Lentigines are often the result of fun-filled times in the sun decades ago when skin damage was the farthest thing from our minds.

Now, as parents and grandparents, it's important to teach our little ones that before they go out to play, there is a cream (sunscreen) that needs to cover the skin, the same way our clothes cover our body.

It's never too late to start protecting your skin from further damage. Make it a habit to put sunscreen on your skin everyday - even if you will only be outside ten minutes. Wearing sunscreen daily is the best defense in a bottle we can buy.

Warning: Do Not Self Diagnose! Skin cancer is a real and it does kill. If you notice anything unusual about your skin, even a brown spot, talk to your doctor. It could be skin cancer, or a sign of another disorder that requires medical attention.

Soften Hands with Coffee Grounds and...

For soft hands, mix 2 teas. coffee grounds (can be used grounds from the coffee filter) with 1 teas. olive oil. Rub this mixture on your hands for one full minute and then rinse well. The coffee exfoliates; the olive oil nourishes and softens.

I've been told models use a mixture of lotion and coffee grounds to smooth dimply skin. Mix the lotion and coffee grounds together, and then knead the skin. Repeat several times a week.

If you try this, be sure to use a fine mess screen over the drain to catch the grounds; too many grounds can clog the drain.

Sun protection: Baseball hat or broad-rimmed hat?

When working in my garden I like to wear a hat if the sun is beating down. I know, I should wear one all of the time, but I get involved in my own little world, take the hat off for a moment and keep moving on to the next plant leaving my hat behind.

My favorite hat to wear while working in the yard is a baseball hat, but I have to rethink that one. Baseball hats fail to provide protection for the ears and neck, while a wide brim hat will shade these areas. I might forget my hat in my garden, but I never forget my sunscreen.

Does Botox help fight future wrinkles?

Will Botox injections for my forehead help reduce wrinkles?

Since Botox prevents muscle movement it is said it will help prevent wrinkles. For example, we may scrunch our brow creating lines between the brows and to the forehead. Since Botox stops muscle contractions, everyday creasing of the skin caused by scrunching the brow and forehead is drastically reduced - thus is it believed future wrinkling in these areas will be reduced.

Acne and hair conditioner

If you are prone to acne/occasional breakouts, especially on the forehead, using hair conditioner may worsen or ignite the condition. When using hair conditioner, try avoiding getting it on your face by leaning your head back when conditioning and rinsing. Ingredients in conditioners, such as emollients, may irritate the skin causing breakouts.

For more beauty tips, visit our website, Makeup and Beyond

Exfoliate for Softer Lips

If your lipstick is not going on smoothly because your lips are chapped or peeling, use a soft toothbrush to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells, then apply your lipstick.

A Guide to Sunburning Times

Before going out into the sun, you have undoubtedly heard you should always wear sunscreen. But how long does it take before skin begins to actually burn?

Typically, if you have fair skin, your skin will begin to burn 10 minutes after sun exposure; normal skin will begin to burn within 20 minutes; and dark skin will begin to burn within 30 minutes. Of course these times are averages and only you can really determine the length of time before your skin begins to burn. The bottom line to all if this, is that you should wear sunscreen year round to help protect your skin from sun damage. You'll not necessarily notice the damage now, but you could in later years.

It is reported that sun damage to the skin can lead to several unfavorable conditions, including skin cancer, dark spots on the skin and wrinkles; so don't you agree that a little protection may turn out to be your best medicine?

For more beauty secrets, visit our website Makeup and Beyond at http://www.makeupandbeyond.com/

Olive Oil and Goat Milk Soap

If you suffer from dry skin that just doesn't seem to go away no matter what you try, the problem could be your soap.

I know my skin is extra sensitive to whatever soap I use on it, therefore, I do splurge on myself in this area. My favorite soaps are made either with olive oil or goat milk (better yet - both). These two gentle, natural ingredients are great for softening and hydrating the skin.

There are many soap recipes on the internet that require only a few ingredients. Check into it - who knows, soap making could be in your future?

If you are not into making your own soap, we've put together a large collection of soaps for you to browse through or buy that are made mostly from natural or organic ingredients.

For more beauty secrets, visit our website - Makeup and Beyond

Remove Skin Tags at Home

I've been reading about how to remove skin tags at home. One tip I read about that seems to be successful is to tie a piece of dental floss around the tag, ice it for 3-6 minutes - until it is numb, clip if off with either sharp, sterile eyebrow scissors, or toenail clippers. After removing the tag, (it may bleed a bit) press down on the area to stop the bleeding. Clean the area well with peroxide, dab on some healing ointment and your done. Frankly, it sounds a bit painful. I think I'll visit my doctor instead.

Another tip I read about is to use Compound W on the tag. Ladies report it takes about 4 days for the tags to fall off.

If anyone reading this blog has comments about these these skin tag removal tips, please write - we'd like to know if you've tried it, have another tip, or your funny story of tag removal bravery!

For Makeup, Skin Care and Beauty Secrets, visit our website - Makeup and Beyond