Best Complexion Tips
There are a few basic rules when it comes to skin care: Remove dirt and surface oil, but don’t strip away all your natural hydration. Moisturize, but don’t clog pores. Exfoliate to remove dead cells, but not so much that your skin becomes irritated. With that in mind, delve into the following edibles, which can be used on all types of skin.
DRY SKIN SUCCULENTS:
Olive oil is a powerful moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores. It’s particularly good for hands, feet, and lips, but use it wherever you are dry or chapped. Get the best quality you can—extra virgin contains the most skin-protecting antioxidants, and a little goes a long way.
Honey, although it can be pricey, is a natural antiseptic that heals and hydrates. In addition to producing a healthy glow, it
inhibits infection and reduces inflammation. Dark is better than light, and the raw (unprocessed) kind is best of all.
Salt helps to open pores, exfoliates dead skin cells, and discourages bacteria. Coarse kosher salt makes a great scrub; for soaking, use sea salt, which dissolves more easily.
OILY SKIN ASTRINGENTS:
Apple cider vinegar invigorates and tones, restores natural acid balance, and promotes healthy circulation. Vinegar also helps to dissolve excess oil and to eliminate dead skin, including dandruff.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which exfoliates and promotes the growth of healthy new cells. It also has a mild bleaching effect that fades scars and evens out skin tone (avoid it if you don’t want to lighten your complexion). Use fresh juice; the bottled kind often contains sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions.
Garlic is a natural astringent and antibiotic that helps your body heal. Applying it directly to skin may sting a little; try diluting a chopped clove in water instead.
SENSITIVE SKIN SOLUTIONS:
Baking soda will clean anything, and your skin is no exception. It absorbs oil, exfoliates, tightens pores, and draws out toxins, but it leaves your face feeling soft and smooth, not tight and dry. Add a half cup to the bath with a few cups of sea salt.
Cucumber soothes sensitive skin in the same way it cools the palate after a spicy meal. Place a slice on each eyelid for five minutes to refresh tired or puffy eyes.
Yogurt is a balm for irritation and encourages your skin to produce moisture. It contains mild lactic acid, which smoothes and helps to restore proper pH balance. Use the plain stuff—cream-top whole milk for dry skin, low- or nonfat for the oilier variety.
DRY SKIN SUCCULENTS:
Olive oil is a powerful moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores. It’s particularly good for hands, feet, and lips, but use it wherever you are dry or chapped. Get the best quality you can—extra virgin contains the most skin-protecting antioxidants, and a little goes a long way.
Honey, although it can be pricey, is a natural antiseptic that heals and hydrates. In addition to producing a healthy glow, it
inhibits infection and reduces inflammation. Dark is better than light, and the raw (unprocessed) kind is best of all.
Salt helps to open pores, exfoliates dead skin cells, and discourages bacteria. Coarse kosher salt makes a great scrub; for soaking, use sea salt, which dissolves more easily.
OILY SKIN ASTRINGENTS:
Apple cider vinegar invigorates and tones, restores natural acid balance, and promotes healthy circulation. Vinegar also helps to dissolve excess oil and to eliminate dead skin, including dandruff.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which exfoliates and promotes the growth of healthy new cells. It also has a mild bleaching effect that fades scars and evens out skin tone (avoid it if you don’t want to lighten your complexion). Use fresh juice; the bottled kind often contains sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions.
Garlic is a natural astringent and antibiotic that helps your body heal. Applying it directly to skin may sting a little; try diluting a chopped clove in water instead.
SENSITIVE SKIN SOLUTIONS:
Baking soda will clean anything, and your skin is no exception. It absorbs oil, exfoliates, tightens pores, and draws out toxins, but it leaves your face feeling soft and smooth, not tight and dry. Add a half cup to the bath with a few cups of sea salt.
Cucumber soothes sensitive skin in the same way it cools the palate after a spicy meal. Place a slice on each eyelid for five minutes to refresh tired or puffy eyes.
Yogurt is a balm for irritation and encourages your skin to produce moisture. It contains mild lactic acid, which smoothes and helps to restore proper pH balance. Use the plain stuff—cream-top whole milk for dry skin, low- or nonfat for the oilier variety.
RECIPES FOR HER
Garlic-Vinegar Astringent
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 whole peeled garlic cloves
Combine garlic and vinegar in a small jar or bottle; refrigerate for at least a day before using. To treat oily skin, apply with a cotton ball before cleansing (which will then eliminate any garlic odor). Mixture will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 whole peeled garlic cloves
Combine garlic and vinegar in a small jar or bottle; refrigerate for at least a day before using. To treat oily skin, apply with a cotton ball before cleansing (which will then eliminate any garlic odor). Mixture will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
3 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (oilier skin), or plain yogurt (drier skin)
1/2 tsp water (1 tsp if using yogurt)
In a small bowl, add water to baking soda, then add lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt and stir; the mixture will foam up. Wet face and gently massage in mixture, then rinse well with lukewarm water.
3 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (oilier skin), or plain yogurt (drier skin)
1/2 tsp water (1 tsp if using yogurt)
In a small bowl, add water to baking soda, then add lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt and stir; the mixture will foam up. Wet face and gently massage in mixture, then rinse well with lukewarm water.
Salty-Sweet Body Smoother
2 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs honey
Combine salt and honey in small bowl and use in the shower or bath to exfoliate and cleanse rough or dull skin. This smoother rinses away easily and leaves a pleasant honey scent.
2 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs honey
Combine salt and honey in small bowl and use in the shower or bath to exfoliate and cleanse rough or dull skin. This smoother rinses away easily and leaves a pleasant honey scent.
Hydrating Honey Mask
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
Combine yogurt and honey and mix until well blended. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. This mask gently moisturizes without being heavy or greasy.
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
Combine yogurt and honey and mix until well blended. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. This mask gently moisturizes without being heavy or greasy.
Cool-as-a-Cucumber Soothing Mask
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup peeled, chopped cucumber
Mix yogurt and cucumber with food processor or blender. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse with cool water. This mask soothes the skin and takes care of blotchiness and irritation. It will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup peeled, chopped cucumber
Mix yogurt and cucumber with food processor or blender. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse with cool water. This mask soothes the skin and takes care of blotchiness and irritation. It will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
Mediterranean Foot Scrub
3 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs olive oil
Combine salt and olive oil in small bowl and apply in rotating circles to damp skin wherever it’s chapped or dry. This scrub treats scaly winter feet and makes ashy knees and elbows velvety soft. Careful, though—the oil will make your tub slippery!
3 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs olive oil
Combine salt and olive oil in small bowl and apply in rotating circles to damp skin wherever it’s chapped or dry. This scrub treats scaly winter feet and makes ashy knees and elbows velvety soft. Careful, though—the oil will make your tub slippery!
RECIPES FOR HIM
Spiked Vodka Aftershave
1/2 cup vodka
2-inch piece vanilla bean, cut in half
fragrant spice blend
1/2 cup mineral water
Sweet blend:
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
1 whole star anise
Spicy blend:
2 bay leaves, broken
15 whole cloves
1/2 tsp whole peppercorns
Add spices to vodka and steep in covered glass jar for at least one week (the longer it steeps, the stronger it will smell). Strain liquid and dilute with mineral water. He can splash this on his face after shaving—the alcohol acts as a toner, astringent, and antiseptic, and a subtle scent will linger on his skin.
1/2 cup vodka
2-inch piece vanilla bean, cut in half
fragrant spice blend
1/2 cup mineral water
Sweet blend:
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
1 whole star anise
Spicy blend:
2 bay leaves, broken
15 whole cloves
1/2 tsp whole peppercorns
Add spices to vodka and steep in covered glass jar for at least one week (the longer it steeps, the stronger it will smell). Strain liquid and dilute with mineral water. He can splash this on his face after shaving—the alcohol acts as a toner, astringent, and antiseptic, and a subtle scent will linger on his skin.
Salt and Pepper Body Scrub
3 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs honey
1 Tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Combine salt, honey, and olive oil in small bowl, then mix in black pepper and vanilla. This scrubs away rough or dull skin from head to toe and leaves him smelling a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet.
3 Tbs kosher salt
2 Tbs honey
1 Tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Combine salt, honey, and olive oil in small bowl, then mix in black pepper and vanilla. This scrubs away rough or dull skin from head to toe and leaves him smelling a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet.
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