8 Cosmetic Products You Can Easily Prepare

While it may be easy to purchase body creams and products, pronouncing the ingredients on such items is not. Well-known brands and creams contain ingredients like phenoxyethanol and many others and tend to be unreasonably expensive too. Putting the convenience of a ready-made product to one side, most can actually be made at home at a fraction of the price and only with ingredients you know. Here are some well-known recipes that are good for your skin. 

 

1. Soothing Calendula Lip Balm

Petroleum jelly is an ingredient you'll often find in commercial recipes. For a safer and more natural alternative, try this recipe: 

 

Ingredients*:

 

• 0.75 oz. lavender-infused (olive) oil 

 

• 0.75 oz. calendula-infused (olive) oil 

 

• 1 oz. beeswax 

 

• 1.25 oz. coconut oil 

 

• A few drops vitamin e oil (or capsules) (optional, but recommended) 

 

• 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional) 

 

• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional) 

 

*(For exact measurements use a digital scale) 

 

Directions 

 

1. In a small double boiler (use a glass mason jar placed atop a washcloth in a pan of water) slowly melt the beeswax, infused oils, and the coconut oil. 

 

2. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then add the essential oils (if using) and the almond extract. 

 

3. Pour the mixture into chapstick tubes, lip balm tins, small glass jars or reused containers (use whatever you have at hand). Prior to using the chapstick make sure that the balm has cooled. 

 

 *This recipe fills approximately 25 chapstick tubes.  

 

2. Lemon Sugar Face Scrub

Packed with goodness, this scrub will help fight both acne and wrinkles. 

 

Ingredients:  

• 1/2 lemon juice 

 

• 1/2 cup of sugar 

 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 

 

• 1 tablespoon honey  

 

Directions  

 

1. Whisk all the liquid ingredients together until the mixture has developed a thick consistency. Add the sugar and mix with a spoon. 

 

2. Depending on how thick you want your scrub to be, you can add more or less sugar.

3. Epsom Salt Foot Scrub

This scrub will not only soften the skin at the soles of your feet, it will leave them smelling wonderful. 

 

Ingredients 

• ⅓ cup of raw sugar 

 

• ⅔ cup of Epsom salt 

 

• 1 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil 

 

• ½ tablespoon of dried peppermint 

 

• 5-6 drops of peppermint oil 

 

• 4 drops of tea tree oil 

 

Directions 

1. Combine the raw sugar, Epsom salt and coconut oil in a small plastic bowl. Stir the ingredients until the sugar and salt crystals are coated with oil. You may add a little more oil if necessary - this protects the sugar and salt from dissolving. 

 

2. Stir in the essential oils and dried peppermint flakes. Then add the mix to your container or jar. The ingredients listed will make a little over 1 cup of scrub which will serve you with 3 foot scrubs. 

 

3. To use, massage your feet in 1/3rd of the mixture and place your feet in a tub of warm water, sitting and relaxing for 20 minutes. Wipe off any remaining sugar or salt crystals and pat your feet dry. 

 

4. Skin Care Powder

This recipe works on delicate facial skin and helps rid of pimples, age spots, and wrinkles. 

 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsps of powdered oats 

 

• 2 tbsps of almond powder 

 

• 1 pinch turmeric 

 

• A tight jar to store 

 

Directions 

1. Grind the oats and almonds in a mixer and add a pinch of turmeric to the recipe, for your all-natural, multipurpose facial cleanser. 

 

2. To exfoliate your face add some rose water to the mix and dab it on your wet face. This can be used regularly as a face wash. Alternatively, you can also add milk or yogurt, to promote soft skin

5. Soothing Lavender Facemask

The lavender in this face mask will help you to calm down, while the other ingredients will help remove wrinkles from your skin and freshen your face. 

 

Ingredients 

• 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt 

 

• 1 tsp honey 

 

• Few drops lavender oil/1/3 tsp dried lavender flowers 

 

Directions 

Combine all the ingredients together and smooth your face and neck, leaving the mixture on for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water then follow up with moisturizer.  

 

6. Light Sunscreen

This sunscreen will protect you from sunlight. It will also moisturize and nourish the skin. 

 

Ingredients  

• 4 tsp Shea butter 

 

• 2 tsp coconut oil 

 

• 2 tsp meadowfoam seed oil 

 

• 4 tsp zinc oxide powder 

 

• 10-60 drops essential oil 

 

• 4 oz sterilized dark glass jar 

 

Directions  

 

1. Heat several cups of water until it has reached boiling point then pour into a glass or a ceramic bowl. 

 

2. Put the dark glass jar upright in the water bath and add the shea butter and coconut oil in the jar, mixing the two ingredients together. 

 

3. Then add meadowfoam seed oil and continue to stir, gently. 

 

4. Teaspoon by teaspoon add zinc oxide powder, stirring with a chopstick, 

 

5. Add the essential oil and stir. Then put in the fridge and leave overnight. 

 

6. Take out the sunscreen and apply 20 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. 

 

7. Natural Dry Shampoo

If you don't have time to wash your hair, this shampoo will come in handy. It contains no toxic substances either. 

 

Ingredients  

• 1 cup ground oatmeal 

 

• 1 cup baking soda 

 

• Empty baby powder or spice container 

 

Directions 

1. Combine the oatmeal and baking soda together in a bowl. Mix the two ingredients well then transfer to an empty baby powder or spice container. 

 

2. When you need to skip a wash, just sprinkle the dry shampoo on your roots and brush it out using a blow dryer and with your fingers, work through the mix. 

 

8. Hair Growth Remedy

Made from natural oils, this product will help keep your hair healthy and strong. 

 

Ingredients  

• 2 oz Jojoba essential oil 

 

• 10 drops lavender essential oil 

 

• 2 drops basil essential oil 

 

• 5 drops rosemary essential oil 

 

• 5 drops tea tree essential oil 

 

Directions  

1. Combine the lavender, basil, rosemary and tea tree in the carrier oil - the jojoba and mix well. 

 

2. Add some amount of the mixture on your hands and rub them together, spreading the mixture evenly. 

 

3. Work the mixture into your scalp, massaging gently in circular motions. 

 

4. Keep the mixture on the scalp for as long as possible - ideally overnight then wash off with a fragrance-free shampoo. Shake well before each use.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Home-made insect repellant- Ants, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Flies

ANTS

KEEP IT CLEAN FOLKS!  Keep your kitchen counters free of crumbs and sticky spots, cover the sugar and honey jar. Wiping down surfaces can go a long way toward keeping your home pest free!

CUCUMBER  Set out cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen or at the ants’ point of entry. Many ants have a natural aversion to cucumber.

MINT  Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active.

BLOCK THE ENTRY  Trace the ant column back to their point of entry. Set any of the following items at the entry area in a small line, which ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, citrus oil (can be soaked into a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds.

LIGHT IT UP  Leave a small, night light on for a few nights in the area of most ant activity. The change in light can disrupt and discourage their foraging patterns.

BUILD A MOAT  If ants are attacking your pets’ food bowls, clean the floor thoroughly with hot, soapy water to eliminate the ants’ trail, then keep them from finding the food dish again by placing the food bowl into a shallow pan of soapy water.

DE Diatomaceous Earth (often referred to as “DE”) is a talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug the fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate.
 
CORNMEAL   Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it ‘home,’ can’t digest it, and expire. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

HOMEMADE ANT BAIT  Dissolve 1 teaspoon of  boric acid and 6 tablespoons of sugar in 2 cups of water. Soak cotton balls in this bait solution. (Boric acid is a low-toxicity mineral, but do keep it away from children and pets because it can cause skin, mouth, stomach, and eye irritation.)
Place one or two cotton balls on an inverted jar lid and saturate with the mixture. Place the jar lids along ant trails or where ants have been seen. Replenish the liquid as it dries until the ants are gone. Be patient! The key is to get worker ants to continually carry low doses of boric acid back to feed the ants in their nest.

MOSQUITOES

BLOCK THEM  Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze.

REMOVE WATER  The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet’s water bowl twice a week. Keep your house gutters clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.

COVER THEIR TRAIL  Ants leave a scented trail so other ants can find their way to food. Routinely wash away these invisible trails with a vinegar-based cleanser made from 1?4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water and 10 to 15 drops of peppermint, clove, eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

BBQ HELPER  If you’re using the barbecue, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitoes.

GARLIC  An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 – 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.

BUILD A BAT HOUSE  Some bat species can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! You can attract these beneficial bug eaters by installing a bat house in your yard.

NEEM OIL  Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Just add a few drops of oil to your favorite lotion and apply the mixture to your body.

PLANT MORE FLOWERS!  Plant some catnip (Nepeta cataria) in your garden; not only will it repel mosquitoes, but you’ll get some pretty flowers, too. Other mosquito-repelling plants include rosemary, marigolds, citronella grass, and lemon balm.

LIGHT A CANDLE  Make your own mosquito-repelling candles using a mixture of essential oils and melted wax. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax.

Here are a good mosquito-repelling essential oil blend to add to your candles:
5 parts Citronella
5 parts lavender
5 parts peppermint

DIY MOSQUITO REPELLENT MIXTURE  For a DIY mosquito repellent, you’ll need essential oil and something to mix it with, like vodka, olive oil, or witch hazel. For best results, combine a few different essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, citronella, cinnamon, cedarwood and juniper berry. 

COVER UP  Common sense is as good a guide as any. To avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, a hat or scarf. Use window and door screens and put mosquito netting over infant carriages or strollers.

BUG-OFF DRINK  Nutritionally, you can drink a tablespoon or two of organic apple cider vinegar and eat lots of garlic. Vitamin B 1 taken daily is also supposed to help repel insects.

FLIES

HERBAL SACHETS  Place sachets made from small squares of  cheesecloth and filled with crushed mint, bay leaf, clove or eucalyptus around the house to repel flies.

DIY FLYPAPER  Mix 1/4 cup corn syrup, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut strips of brown kraft paper and soak in the sugar mixture. Let dry overnight. To hang, poke a small hole at the top of each strip and hang with string.

SWEET BASIL  Plant sweet basil next to the doors, or plant in containers. The flies will stay far away. Cut a nice size bunch of it to take with you when you go on picnics. As an added bonus, mosquitoes don’t like it either.

EUCALYPTUS OIL  For creating a fly-free area, apply eucalyptus essential oil to a small cloth or rag and leave it in an area plagued by flies.

SPIDERS

SPIDERS HATE PEPPERMINT!  Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil into a spray bottle. Add a squirt of liquid detergent and fill the bottle with water. Spray the mixture on cobwebs, around doors and windows, around the lawn and garden and on any surfaces where spiders lurk. In addition to having a pleasant aroma, this mixture is nontoxic and safe to use around children and pets.

COCONUT OIL & VINEGAR  The combination of coconut oil and white vinegar also makes an effective spray for repelling spiders. As oils may stain or cause spots, test the mixture on a small, hidden area of carpets, curtains or upholstered furniture. 

CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS  Spiders taste through their feet, and in addition to peppermint…..they do not like the taste of citrus which includes lemon, lime, tangerine and wild orange. Although it will not kill them, it will make them avoid places where they can “taste” them. Always purchase real essential oils and not synthetic versions.

ELIMINATE HIDING PLACES  Spiders thrive in dark, cluttered places, so keep stacks of debris, woodpiles and thick plant growth away from the sides of the house. The fewer places spiders can easily inhabit, the more effectively they can be repelled.

SEAL IT UP  Seal cracks in the foundation and close gaps in windows or beneath doorways to deny spiders access to the premises.
And last but not least….an all natural homemade insect repellent that should help out with all of the above!

ALL PURPOSE, ALL NATURAL BUG SPRAY

Homemade Insect Repellent Recipe

• 8 oz apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, or vodka
• 45 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and apply liberally. Store in the fridge when not in use. Should last 2-3 months.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement