Vitamin E anti-aging face mask recipe:

• 2 capsules – Vitamin E
• 1 tbsp – Kefir or plain yogurt
• ½ tbsp – honey
• ½ tbsp – lemon juice

Mix the ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Turmeric anti-aging face mask recipe:

• ½ tsp – turmeric powder
• ½ tbsp – honey
• ½ tbsp – sour cream

Mix very well. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. First, rinse off with lukewarm water. Make sure to clean well your eyebrows and the opening of your nostrils. Now, turn the water ice cold, and rinse off a second time to close the pores.

Rejuvenating mask recipe:

• 1 tbsp – grated cucumber
• 1 tbsp – Kefir or plain yogurt

Mix the ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Facelift mask recipe for oily skin:

• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp – powdered milk
• 1 tbsp – witch hazel
• Juice of 1 lemon

Mix the ingredients until smooth. Apply the mixture on your face and neck for 15 minutes. Use the leftover mixture along with warm water to remove the mask.

Anti-wrinkle banana mask:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 mashed banana
• ½ honey
• ½ sour cream

Mix the ingredients. Apply on face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Anti-aging aloe mask recipe:

• 1 tbsp- aloe vera juice
• 1 tsp – mayonnaise
• 1 tsp – honey

Mix very well. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off: first, with warm water, then, with cold.

Anti-aging apple mask recipe:

• 1 apple
• 1 tbsp – olive oil
• 1 tsp – honey

Bake the apple in an over or in a microwave. Mash it and mix with other ingredients. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

• Almond oil, coconut oil and castor oil also have the ability to tighten the sagging skin. Take some oil and massage it on your skin on regular basics.

• Try to apply apple, pineapple, grape or lemon juice on your face for about 10 minutes.

• Make fruit ice cubes to use for the face.

• Eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables that will provide vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants and keep your internal body replenished. Stay away from refined sugars and junk food.

• Dietary supplements for tightening a sagging skin involve vitamin C, vitamin E and MSM (methylsulfonyl methane).

• Keep the skin hydrated and smooth by drinking ample amount of water.

• Exercise regularly! Exercise that gets your heart rate high enough for 20 minutes or so (enough to make your skin flushed and sweaty) is a great way to rejuvenate your body.

• Here is a simple toning exercise that you can do everywhere, several times a day: Squeeze your buttocks as hard as you can for a count of three, then release. Repeat 10 times.

• Practice face yoga.

• Get massage or learn self-massage.

• Get fresh air.

• Get enough sleep.

Look gorgeous!

Health benefits of coconut oil

• Coconut oil strengthens the immune system. It helps in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as influenza, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis and even HIV.
• Virgin coconut oil balances out-of-range cholesterol levels in the body.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk of cancer.
• Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar.
• Coconut oil enhances weight loss. Fats contained in coconut oil are easily converted into energy quickly, thus giving it no time at all to accumulate in the body. Coconut oil also speeds up metabolism, and boosts energy and endurance.
• Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing anxiety and stress.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
• Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of important nutrients.
• As coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important nutrients (including minerals, such as calcium and magnesium), it helps in getting strong bones and teeth.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing liver, kidney and gall bladder diseases.

Add coconut oil to your daily diet! It can be a healthy alternative to butter or margarine. It is also ideal for frying foods, as it possesses a high smoking point. Moreover, coconut oil is very stable, and has a long shelf-life.

Coconut oil for a healthy hair
Virgin coconut can give you stronger, shinier and healthier hair.  It strengthens your hair shaft and root, reducing split ends and hair breakage. Coconut oil is the best hair treatment for dry, damaged hair and itchy scalp. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs.

Coconut oil hair treatment recipe:

• Scoop out some coconut oil into a cup. Put the cup in a pot with warm water to melt the oil.
• Pour some of the warm oil into hands and run your fingers through your dry hair.
• Coat your hair with the oil. Use just enough so that the oil will penetrate the hair, without leaving an oily or greasy look. Use more oil at the ends, less in the middle and near the roots.
• Put on a shower cap. For very dry hair, leave the treatment overnight; for oily or normal hair, leave it for an hour.
• Wash out hair with a gentle shampoo. Skip using a conditioner.

• For dandruff treatment, combine coconut oil with two-three drops of tea tree, rosemary, geranium, or cedarwood essential oils.

Coconut oil for a healthy skin
Virgin coconut oils will moisturize and nourish your skin using only its pure natural ingredients, without any preservatives, chemicals or solvents. It improves skin lipid levels, increases hydration, reduces roughness and scaling, and fights viruses and bacteria.

Deep skin moisturizing and conditioning treatment:

• Shower and exfoliate all over your body.
• While still in the shower take some virgin coconut oil and rub between your palms to melt the oil.
• Massage the oil onto your skin.
• After covering your body in coconut oil, rinse off in warm water.
• Step out of the shower and use your towel to gently pat dry your skin. This will leave a nice thin layer of coconut oil on your skin.

Do this treatment right before going to bed, several times a week, and you would not experience any dry itchy skin symptoms – even during the cold dry winter months.

• Virgin coconut oil is safe to use as a facial moisturizer. It does not clog pores. Moreover, it can help reduce acne symptoms.
• Coconut oil is gentle enough to use as eye makeup removal, and it can lubricate the skin for shaving.
• Coconut oil make it a great topical remedy for rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and diaper rash.
• Coconut oil makes great massage oil. It is easily absorbed by the skin and promotes healing. It will make your skin soft, shiny, smooth, and mmm… yummy!

Examples of essential oils that should be avoided in pregnancy are:

• Angelica
• Basil
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Coriander
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Juniper
• Myrrh
• Nutmeg
• Parsley
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Examples of essential oils that can be used in pregnancy are:

• Bergamot
• Eucalyptus
• Frankincense
• Geranium
• Grapefruit
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Mandarin
• Sandalwood
• Sweet Orange
• Tea Tree
• Ylang Ylang

Many essential oils can be used safely in pregnancy and help alleviate many pregnancy related problems. However it is strongly advised to consult a qualified aromatherapist on the use of essential oils in pregnancy to avoid any potential dangers.

• Avoid processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar and salt. Instead of using salt, substitute herbs and spices, such as oregano, basil, coriander, thyme, parsley, paprika or cayenne pepper, and season with lemon, garlic or vinegar, all of which support the detox process while adding flavour.

• Fresh, raw vegetables (e.g., broccoli, beets, leafy greens, cauliflower, onions, etc.) and fruits (e.g., lemons, grapefruits, tomatoes, pineapples, etc.), and whole grains (especially, oat) are a great food for detox since they help the body flush out toxins.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise (e.g. swimming, walking, yoga, dancing, etc.) is an effective method of cleansing many of your vital organs simultaneously.

• Drink plenty of pure water. You can also add some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, which have great detoxifying properties.

• Herbal teas are used as part of many detox programs because of their healing properties.

• Try this cleansing tonic to help strengthen your liver:

1 cup of pure water
juice of a lemon
pinch of powdered ginger
1 tbsp flax seeds.

• Make a purifying herbal tea from:

1 tsp nettle
1 tsp peppermint
1 tsp dandelion root
1 tsp clover
3 cups cold water
Combine everything in a saucepan, bring to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten with apple juice if you wish.

• Detoxify your body by adding half a cup of sea salt to your bath as it fills up. Not only will it stimulate your skin, you’ll float better in it, taking the strain of muscles.

You can also make apple cider vinegar or ginger detoxifying baths. Add 1-2 cups of pure apple cider vinegar or 2-3 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger in your bath and soak in the tub for about 20 minutes. Hot water works better for detoxification (But be careful, if you have cardiovascular system diseases!).

• Dry body brushing before showering has also been shown to stimulate lymphatic flow and circulation and remove dead skin cells.

• Other effective methods for detoxification include sauna, massage, reflexology, acupuncture and acupressure.

Related post: Herbal teas that detox

Carrier (base) oils

Choose the one which seems most applicable to your skin:

Peach kernel oil: Rich in vitamin A, nourishing.

Apricot kernel oil: All skin types, especially elderly, inflamed and dry skin. Good for wrinkles as well as stretch marks on the body.

Avocado oil: Dry and dehydrated skin.

Grapeseed oil: Most skin types. Avoid using on sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis.

Wheatgerm oil: All skin types, including inflamed, red, or dry skins, eczema, psoriasis and acne. Rich in vitamin E and phosphorus; soothes, heals and helps to smooth out wrinkles and lines.

Almond oil: Lubricates and smoothes skin and reduces red veins. Helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness, inflammation and wrinkled, dry skin.

Coconut oil: Acts as a cleanser, can have a drying effect on skin. Good for oily skin.

Essential oils

Choose oils most appropriate to your skin, or simple opt for the smells which please you most:

Benzoin: Has a toning effect, acts as an antiseptic; very good for dry skin.

Lavender: Has stimulating and antiseptic effect; good for oily skin and spots or any blemishes which need healing.

Patchouli: Soothes dry, flaky skin.

Frankincense: Rejuvenating and regenerating.

Neroli: Rejuvenating and regenerating; this is the only one to use around the eye area; very good for broken capillaries.

Myrrh: Nourishes mature skin (aged 50+); especially good for any areas of inflammation.

Geranium: Balances combination skins, as well as your emotions.

Source:  Stacey, S. and J. Fairlay (2002) The Beauty Bible.

Related posts:
Homemade body scrub recipes
Aromatherapy massage
Give yourself a facial massage

• Deepens relaxation
• Improves circulation
• Stimulates lymphatic system, boosting immunity
• Aids digestion, speeds the elimination of toxins
• Improves skin circulation and quality
• Increases blood supply to joints, can help arthritis
• Relieves mental and physical fatigue

Massage with aromatic essential oil works by stimulating our sense of touch and smell. Fragrances are the first stimulus of any to be registered by the brain, so the effect of aromatic essential oils is instant as well as long-lasting. Essential oils also have a physiological effect as they are absorbed via the skin into the blood supply.

Make aromatherapy massage oils by mixing a base oil, such as jojoba, grape seed, sunflower or apricot, with 6-to-12 drops of essential oils. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly on to the skin, and consult aromatherapist before using essential oils during pregnancy.

Certain essential oils may help to counteract negative emotions, because they trigger a positive emotional reaction. Here are some widely used essential oils and their properties:

Source: Spiers, K. Recipes for natural beauty. Facts On File, Inc.

You will need a massage oil that’s suitable for your skin type. For dry or aging skin, use apricot, avocado or wheat germ oil. Almond, sunflower or sesame oil will be good for normal skin. For oily skin, use hazelnut, peach kernel, or thistle oil.

Facial massage should not be done if there are open sores, boils, cuts or recent scar tissue on the face, and if the skin is inflamed or bruised. As well, facial massage may irritate and worsen such skin conditions as acne, psoriasis or eczema.

The pressure you would exert during a face massage is a gentle light friction.

Ready? Click on the “how to give yourself an facial massage” video to get started.

You might also like “de stress face and head self massage” video: