Natural Facial Treatments

Facial treatments can help improve the health of your skin and its overall appearance. Natural, homemade treatments work just as well as many of those you can buy at the store. Other advantages to making your own facial treatments are that they can be less expensive, and since you know exactly what is in them, you are less likely to have an allergic reaction.

Honey Treatments

• Honey has long been used as a beauty treatment because of its ability to attract and retain moisture. If the skin retains moisture, it can maintain its suppleness, softness, and elasticity. Honey can also protect the skin from ultraviolet damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer because of its antioxidant properties.

  Honey can be used as a soothing skin clarifier to treat minor acne problems. To do so, you need to combine 1/2 cup of warm water and 1/4 tsp. of salt. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it directly to the affected area to soften the blemish. Then with a cotton swab, dab some honey on the blemish, leaving it on for 10 minutes. Rinse and pat the area dry.

  You can also use honey to create a firming facial mask. Start by whisking together 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon glycerin (which you should be able to find at beauty stores). Add enough flour to form a paste and then apply it to the face and throat, leaving it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water.

Homemade Treatments

• Other homemade facial treatments can also be beneficial. Just make sure that before you apply anything to you face that you wash it thoroughly using a mild soap. To make a natural facial scrub, grind 1/2 cup of oatmeal, leaving just a little coarseness, and mix it with 1 cup of plain yogurt. Apply this mixture gently to the face, using a circular motion. To remove the facial scrub, just rinse first with warm water and then with cooler water.

  Another homemade recipe you might want to try is a green tea skin toner. Begin by boiling 1/2 cup distilled or pure spring water. Place the green tea leaves in a glass or ceramic bowl and then pour the boiling water over them, steeping for two to three minutes. Then strain out the leaves. Make sure the liquid is cool before applying it to your face with a cotton ball. Do not rinse the toner off. Just let it dry on your face.

  If you have a sunburn, you might want to use a salsa facial mask. To make it, use a food processor to puree 2 tbs. of fresh, chopped parsley, 1 tbs. of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 small tomato and 1/4 chopped cucumber, including the peel. Apply this mixture to your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.

  These homemade recipes are designed for a single application. However, if you do have some left over, just put it in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator. Make sure you write the date on the container, and don't wait too long to use it since these treatments are usually only good for about two weeks.