Make your own skin care products

Honey and Almond Moisturizing Face Mask
The combination of honey and ground almonds makes this mask smell good enough to eat! Although it feels very sticky, and takes a lot of washing off, this is nonetheless a wonderful face mask, and worth the effort. The honey and almond moisturizing face mask is particularly good for mature, sensitive, or dry skin, but is suitable for all skin types.

1 large tsp honey
1 tbsp ground almonds
Enough warm water to mix to a spreadable paste

1. Warm the honey in a small bowl immersed in hot water until it becomes liquid.
2. Put the ground almonds into another small bowl. Add the melted honey and mix well, adding a little warm water to obtain a spreadable consistency.
3. Immediately apply the mask to a cleansed face and rest for ten to fifteen minutes.
4. Finally, wash off the mask with warm water and apply a toner and moisturizer.

Yogurt and Oatmeal Deep Cleansing Face Mask
Yogurt has been used for centuries for its health-giving properties. Here, live, organic yogurt is mixed with finely ground oatmeal and a little honey for an all-purpose face mask. This face mask is suited to all skin types, and is both cleansing and rejuvenating. If you have any doubt about which face mask to use, this is the one to go for.

1 tbsp finely ground oatmeal
1 tbsp live, organic yogurt
1 small tsp honey

1. Place the oatmeal in a bowl. Add the yogurt and mix to a spreadable consistency.
2. Warm the honey in a small glass bowl. Pour into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture and blend the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Immediately apply the yogurt and oatmeal mask to a cleansed face and rest for ten to fifteen minutes.
4. Finally, wash off the mask with warm water and apply a toner and moisturizer.

Rejuvenating, Exfoliating Body Scrub
This rejuvenating treatment is based on a traditional Indian body scrub for brides. The bride is scrubbed all over with a traditional mixture of finely ground grains, fruit peels, spices, and oils, and then she is massaged with sweet-smelling oils. This is performed daily for ten days, so at the wedding she looks wonderful with smooth, sweet-smelling skin. Using this body scrub will leave you with glowing skin.

2 tbsp fine ground oatmeal
2 tbsp ground almonds
1 tsp dried, finely ground orange peel
1 tsp rosehip granules
5 drops jasmine
Enough warm water to moisten the mixture

1. Place all the dried ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Add the jasmine and a little warm water to make a fine, crumbly mixture. Don't use too much water or you will end up with a sticky mess.
3. Stand in the bathtub or on a towel spread over the floor. Take a small handful of the body scrub and scrub vigorously with circular movements all over the body. Be systematic; do the legs and arms first as they are easiest, and then do as much of the rest of your body as you can reach.
4. The scrub dries quickly, and most of it will fall off your body. When you have finished, use a soft body brush to brush off any leftover crumbs.

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Text and recipes excerpted from Natural Beauty Recipe Book by Gill Farrer-Halls (Quarry Books, 2006). Available in bookstores and from online booksellers. Copyright 2006 by Quarry Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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