Natural Hygiene: Recipes for Organic Face Wash, Acne Treatments, Deodorant & More
A Modern Catastrophe
As our modern hygiene and facial care products become more and more pervasive and precise we are increasingly exposed to artificial compounds and toxins. Our hygiene is an extension of our health and it is important to not expose ourselves to potential illness and hard in an attempt to prevent another. At the same time it is not uncommon for grooming products to be tested on live animals, forcing them to spend their lives trapped in laboratory prisons where they are forced to undergo sadistic testing. Instead of buying into this corporate model we can go ahead and make many of these products on our own using organic ingredients.
Facial Cleansers
Facial cleansers are one of the most common upkeep products used by both men and women. You can make a very simple cleanser for average skin consistencies by blending together two tablespoons of lemon juice and six and a half tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Go ahead and add a drop or two of peppermint essential oil. You can also go ahead and make a fruit based facial cleanser by adding a half a cup each of apple, cucumber, and peaches to the blender. When in the shower you can run your face under hot water and then use the fruit blend over your skin to exfoliate and open your pores.
Toner
You can also make a facial toner for removing makeup and cleaning out excessive facial oils. Chop up three quarters of a cup of organic parsley and boil for a few minutes. Let it cool and then you can use it as you would use any facial toner or astringent. You can make a similar toner by mixing half of a cup of fresh lemon juice, two thirds of a cup of witch hazel, and a cup of filtered water.
Facial Masks
If you use facial masks for extra skin care you have a number of fully natural options. The most basic of these is to just use an avocado, fully blended and rubbed on the face. You can also try a blended mixture of a quarter cup of chickpeas, a quarter teaspoon of organic lemon juice, and just a little bit of flax seed oil. If you are having a big problem with acne you should try blending a tomato, a teaspoon of organic lemon juice, and a tablespoon of pre-cooked oatmeal.
Acne Treatment
If you are just trying to get rid of acne you should first use orange or lemon peels as a face scrubber. Run your face under very hot water to open your pores. Next rub the peels all over your face. Garlic also works well, so try crushing up a clove and rubbing it on blemished areas.
Deoderant Powder
Many deodorants contain metal in the anti-persperint that has been linked to cancers. Instead of using conventional deodorant you can try making a deodorant powder by mixing cornstarch and the essential oil of your choosing. Lavender works very well for this powder.
A Powerful Statement
The most important thing to keep in mind is to reduce your consumption of regular commercial products. If we can work to make natural hygiene care the standard we can send a clear message to the companies that are trying to sell us on their toxic lifestyles.
This post is part of the series: The Green Home
Practical techniques for adding sustainability to the home.
