Part 2: From Pantry Skin Care
By: Kim Ceniza
theashletters.com
Sustainable living
Acne, dry or oily skin, mask (acne due to wearing face masks), wrinkles, dark circles… UGH!
Facing face problems is not as easy as picking your favorite color. With the vast choices on the skin care products aisle, one with no ideas would get lost in the pile promises and perfect packages!
If you haven’t found the product that suits your skin needs and works wonders for you, a better way to start is with whatever you have in your pantry. This is a great tip for those who may have certain allergies or irritation with any ingredients in processed products. Whatever it is that you consume would make you easily filter out what type of products, items, produce, or ingredients that you need to avoid. Another advantage is you reduce your risk in introducing toxins in your face or body from some skin care products.
The very basic steps in skin care are cleansing and moisturizing. Cleansing inhibits growth and spread of bacteria. Part of the cleansing routine is exfoliating, which helps removing dirt and bacteria deeper. On the other hand, moisturizing balances our skin from being dry or oily. Through proper moisturizers, locking-in moisture in the skin is maintained and skin is softened.
These two are the basic part of a skin-care routine. Adding in sun-protection, nourishment, hydration, or maintaining youthful skin would be options for you depending on your skin needs or daily activity.
Here are some of pantry finds and preparations that you may use for make-up removal, cleansing and exfoliating, and moisturizing.
Make-up removing
Removing make-up can be tricky. Soap and water sometimes do not hit all spots and do not completely remove, especially heavy make-up. Simple pantry finds that make wonders are plant-based oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil, to name a few.
Simple use would be just to place a small amount of your choice of oil into your hands and rub it against each other until you slightly warm the oil and massage it gently into your face for a few seconds to a minute. You may remove the oil by wiping your face with a warm washcloth. You may stop after this or would want to cleanse your face further.
Apart from removal of make-up and dirt in the face, oils also moisturize our skin! So, this is a double-acting step!
Cleansing
Typically, the use soap and water is enough but some soaps are drying or stays in the skin. Here are some pantry-made cleansers that you may try that will give you benefits apart from cleansing.
Plant-based oilsThis is as described in the make-up removal discussion.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) surely is a pantry staple. Apart from its health benefits when consumed, this can also be used for our skin. This vinegar helps restore skin’s pH levels, clarifies skin, and clear out pores. But always remember, this is harsh in the skin when applied without diluting! So, follow this simple recipe for your ACV cleanser.
ACV cleanser: Add one-part apple cider vinegar to two-parts water, then shake well. Apply this solution to your skin with a cotton ball or pad. After your skin dries, you may then moisturize.
Honey-Lemon
Honey and lemon have well-known benefits for our health and skin. The combination of these ingredients is perfect for they are antiseptic and moisturizing.
Honey-lemon cleanser: Mix one tablespoon of honey with the juice of half a lemon. Apply this solution directly to your face, like a mask but avoiding the eyes. Leave it for about 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water first, then with cold water.
Exfoliators
This step can be substituted to usual cleansing or can be added after cleansing for deeper removal of dirt and dead skin cells. This may be done once or twice a week depending on your skin conditions. If you have a sensitive skin, you may skip this or research first on the ingredients you may use.
Oat flour, almond flour, rice flour, salt, sugar, and coffee grounds are the well-used types of pantry-available exfoliators that can be used. A choice of exfoliant is mixed with a choice of plant-based oil to make a loose paste then massage to skin. Remember that some of these ingredients may be abrasive, so always be careful! Do not press or rub them hard on your skin.
Moisturizing
In some cases, cleansing could be drying depending on what cleanser was used or on the condition of your skin, thus, moisturizing is important. Simple pantry finds can be used mainly and directly to your skin without any preparation needed, like: plant-based oils, butters (shea, cocoa butter, etc.), fresh avocado, and raw honey.
You can opt to prepare a mask with these ingredients if you feel like treating your skin more! You can create a simple DIY moisturizing face mask by mixing mashed avocado, rolled oats, and honey. Apply this mixture to your face and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Wash your face after using warm water, then pat dry.
There are a lot more that you can use or substitute from the examples provided. You may try to check on your cupboards or refrigerator what ingredients you may find and search on natural ingredients that you can use. Hopefully, you may be able to discover the perfect match for your skin!
If you are one of those who may be uncomfortable to use pantry goods on your skin, but still wanted to find great skincare products made from natural or whole ingredients, worry not! There are good products out there that we highly recommend! This can also be for those who are looking for products that are tested to cater certain skin issues and needs. Check out goecolove.com for their amazing roster of herbal skin care and cosmetics that you would surely love! Supporting them would also bring benefit to their good cause!
Glow and be radiant!