Acne Face Mask DIY

Women in the northeast African nation of Eritrea often apply a facial mask of avocado, egg yolks, and honey to beat blemishes. This mix works because eggs are rich in vitamin A, or retinol, which helps heal skin. Honey helps kill bacteria cells by dehydrating them, and avocado moisturizes skin.

Be mindful of which part of the egg you use. Use egg whites only on oily skin; they act as an astringent. Use the yolk - high in fats and other helpful compounds - if you have dry skin. Use only pasteurized eggs in this mixture to eliminate the risk of salmonella. To make, mash and mix one avocado, the egg part suited to your needs, and about one tablespoon honey. Then apply to your face and leave on for 5 - 10 minutes. Add this remedy to your weekly skin care routine, or when you feel an outbreak coming on.

DIY - Exfoliating Scrub‏

This is a soothing, cleansing body treatment that will leave your skin feeling baby soft and refreshed!

In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine:

4 cups sea salt
1/4 cup baby oil
1 cup purified water


Wet entire body in a warm shower.  Turn off water.  Scoop out a handful of salt mixture and rub onto skin in a gentle circular motion.  Add more mixture as needed.  Be sure to avoid face and genital areas.  Rinse.  Wash with a rough, soapy washcloth.  Rinse.  Wait 2 hours before using a moisturizer.  Avoid open sores and varicose veins.

Dazzling-Duo Organic Facial

1 1/2 cups water
2 chamomile teabags
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
squeeze of lemon juice
1/4 cup dry oatmeal (not the instant kind)
unscented paper towels


Step 1
1. Boil 1 cup of the water and pour it into a wide bowl. Add the teabags and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
2. Pour the yogurt, honey, and lemon juice into another bowl, mixing thoroughly. Set aside.
3. In a third bowl, mix the oatmeal with 1/2 cup cool or lukewarm water.
4. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Then use your fingers to gently massage the oatmeal mixture over your face, using a circular motion.
5. Leave the mixture on your skin for 5 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Step 2
1. Smooth on an even layer of the honey-yogurt mask.
2. Dip 5 to 8 paper towels, one by one, into the tea. Wring gently, and place each one over a different area of your face to create the mummy effect. Leave your mouth and nostrils free so you can still breath easily. (Hint: It helps if you're lying down, so the tissues stay in place.)
3. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse your face again using cool water to seal in the moisture and close your bores against bacteria.


* LEMON FRESH - A natural exfoliant and antioxidant, citric acid is used in many cosmetics to brighten the skin and discourage bacteria. For a quick boost that helps control oil, apply a teaspoon of lemon juice to clean skin. Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

* CARROT CURE - If your skin has broken out, skip the oatmeal scrub and try this healing alternative: Finely grate one medium carrot in the blender, and smooth it over your skin. Rinse and follow with the honey-yogurt mask. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, a powerful antiseptic that fights acne. Take that!

Nasal Congestion

The next time you have a stuffy nose, try this old Russian remedy: In a bowl, juice one clove of garlic with a garlic press, add a half teaspoon honey, and squeeze out the inside of one aloe vera leaf. Then soak two cotton balls in the mixture and insert them loosely into your nostrils for about five minutes. (no, I am not lying) Here's why it works: Garlic has powerful antibacterial properties (it was used to fight soldiers' infections in World War II when no antibiotics were handy). Honey also is antibacterial and works as an astringent. The aloe moisturizes sore nasal tissue. Take note: Steel yourself for this remedy, because the smell of raw garlic juice can be a little hard to handle!!

Deep Conditioner

In this all-purpose conditioner, the olive oil conditions and moisturizes your hair while the egg softens it. Store in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator. Shake before using, as mixture will separate as it sits.

1 teaspoon olive oil
3 - 4 drops of your favorite essential oil
1 egg, beaten

In a bowl, mix ingredients with whisk or fork. Pour over head and massage into hair and scalp. Cover hair with shower cap and leave on 20 minutes. Wash out with gentle shampoo.

Apple-Oatmeal Scrub

Apples are the perfect beauty fruit for all skin types. The apple's juice tightens pores, while its pectin soothes the skin. The exfoliating action of oatmeal and cornmeal in this scrub removes dead skin and improves blood circulation, revealing newer, livelier skin. Store in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator.

2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons cornmeal
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 medium apple, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks

In a bowl, mix oats, cornmeal, and honey into a paste using a fork. In blender or food processor, combine paste and apple and pulse until smooth. Apply mixture generously to face and gently scrub in circular motion. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Chapped Lips?

Instead of a waxy over-the-counter lip balm, try this Middle Eastern remedy of lemon juice, sugar, and glycerin. Combine the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of sugar and apply to your lips; leave on for two minutes. Rinse with water and follow with a light smear of liquid glycerin. Glycerin, found at most health stores, seals in moisture; in a pinch, use Vaseline. Lemons contain vitamin C, an effective exfoliant, and the sugar creates a thin barrier, speeding healing.

Sometimes, chapped lips can be an indicator of something more serious. Skin is a window for what's going on in the body. If your lips are frequently chapped, consult your doctor.

Heavy-duty Conditioner

The moisturizing properties of the avocado and the conditioning elements of mayonnaise (oil, vinegar, and egg) make this combination an ideal conditioner for dry, brittle hair. Store in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator.

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 avocado, peeled and mashed

In blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise and avocado until smooth. Massage mixture into hair and scalp. Cover hair with shower cap and leave on 20 minutes. Wash out with gentle shampoo.

Get glowing, younger skin

with a $2. avocado facial!

What you'll need
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp sour cream

1. Mash both ingredients together until creamy
2. Smooth over freshly cleansed skin
3. Relax for 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize as usual.

Why it works: The lactic acid in the sour cream lightly exfoliates dead skin cells, which allows the avocado's moisturizing oils to really penetrate deeply.


How long will it keep: One day. Avocado turns brown quickly. Store in the fridge if preparing before use; cover with plastic wrap.

Clear and brighten your complexion

with a $1. strawberry facial! 

You can get strawberries right now for CHEAP! They're good to eat and they're great for your face.

What you'll need
4 fresh strawberries
1 Tbsp honey
1 egg white

1. Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth
2. Apply to freshly cleansed skin and relax for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with cool water.

Why it works: Strawberries have salicylic acid in them, the same pore-cleansing ingredient found in acne treatments. But the salicylic acid in strawberries is gentler, so your skin won't feel dry. Honey also kills blemish-causing bacteria, while egg whites are natural astringents that dry excess oils for a clear complexion.


How long will it keep: One day. Raw eggs are highly perishable. Store in fridge if preparing hours before use.

Pamper your feet with a $2 lemon-pineapple treatment

What you'll need

2 qts warm water
1/2 lemon
2 tbsp sea or kosher salt
1 qt pineapple juice

1. Fill a basin with the warm water and get your feet wet.
2. Dip the lemon half into the salt; gently rum the salted lemon over dry patches on your feet.
3. Place your freshly scrubbed feet into the basin of water and slowly pour the pineapple juice over them; soak feet for 10-15 minutes. Pat dry and misturize.


Why it works

The lemon's acids and the coarse salt grains work together to remove any calloused skin, and warm water infused with bromelain - a skin-softening enzyme found only in pineapple - makes your feet soft!

DIY TRICK - Your goal: No More Grays‏

Revive the Roots. To mask any silver streaks, focus the pigment on the new growth at your scalp. The bottom half of your hair, which is older and drier, will absorb color much quicker than the roots. Brush a semipermanent dye, like Clairol Natural Instincts semipermanent hair color ($8.99, drugstores), on the top of your head, and in the last five minutes, do the bottom half.

DIY - Exfoliating Scrub

This is a soothing, cleansing body treatment that will leave your skin feeling baby soft and refreshed!

In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine:

4 cups sea salt

1/4 cup baby oil

1 cup purified water

Wet entire body in a warm shower. Turn off water. Scoop out a handful of salt mixture and rub onto skin in a gentle circular motion. Add more mixture as needed. Be sure to avoid face and genital areas. Rinse. Wash with a rough, soapy washcloth. Rinse. Wait 2 hours before using a moisturizer. Avoid open sores and varicose veins.

DIY TRICK - Your goal: Brighter Highlights‏

Don't go overboard. The smaller the chunks of hair you highlight, the more diffuse the finished look will be. Take sections of about 10 hairs spaced at least a half inch apart. A kit that makes sun-smooched streaks a cinch; L'Oreal Paris Touch-On Highlights ($12.99, drugstores), which comes with a brush that fits on your finger and glides the product through strands.

Homemade Hair Shine

Here is a recipe that is sure to make your locks SHINE, SHINE, SHINE, and you should be able to find it all in your pantry.

Take 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup coconut milk and mix it together well. Apply mixture to hair and let set for 15 minutes. Wash and rinse in the shower and voila!! Beautiful, shiny hair.

Make a yummy sandwich with the other half of the avocado and your tummy will be satisfied too.

Sore Throats

In the Ukraine, many people relieve sore throats by gargling every two hours with a glass of hot water mixed with a tablespoon or so each of honey and vinegar. While this isn't the tastiest elixir, vinegar works as an astringent to clear secretions and restore pH balance, and it discourages bacteria growth. Honey is an anti-inflammatory.