5 Easy To Make Natural Skin Care Products For Problem Skin

No one has perfect skin without putting a little effort into it. Americans spent more than $33 billion on beauty and skin care products in 2010. Clearly, we're making more than a “little” effort at looking our best. But is spending hard earned cash on toxic chemical laden personal care products worth the risk of disease and illness? There are very few oversights on an industry that pushes thousands of dangerous products on an unsuspecting consumer population.

Taking a little time to make your own such products can save you big bucks in more ways than one. Not only are homemade skin care products cheaper than their commercial counterparts, but they are healthier for you. Chemicals added to commercial lotions and creams can cause cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney damage, as well as being endocrine disrupting chemicals. An American with diabetes spends about $1500 to $2000 per year on treatment, and that's only if there's medical insurance to help cover the costs. The kicker is that Diabetes often leads to many other more deadly and costly health problems.

To start your savings plan right now, begin making these five products in your own kitchen!

For a puffy face use a rosewater astringent:

Use the fresh rose petals of two roses from your own garden. If that isn't an option, they can be purchased but make sure they are pesticide free. Place a square of cheesecloth in a bowl. The cloth should be big enough that the four corners are hanging over the edges. Layer rose petals over the cheese cloth on the bottom of the bowl and slowly pour a cup of boiling water over the petals. Draw the corners of the cloth together and tie loosely with string, forming a roomy “tea” bag. I use a trash bag wire twisty. Allow the petals to soak for 30 to 60 minutes, occasionally swirling the bag around in the water. When done, lift the bag out of the water and using your fingers, gently press the remaining liquid out of the fabric into the bowl. Add one cup of witch hazel to the rosewater. Puncture 6 Vitamin E gel capsules and squeeze gel into liquid. Use a wire whisk to mix well. Pour liquid into airtight bottles. Shake well before each use.

For puffy eyes and bags underneath use a cucumber gel:

Puree one large cucumber. Strain through an unbleached coffee filter (white filters have been bleached and may contain residual chlorine). Add cucumber liquid to ½ cup of aloe vera gel and mix well with a wire whisk. Add a few teaspoons of distilled water until desired consistency is reached. Blend in the gel from a Vitamin E capsule. Place in a container and keep refrigerated to maintain a cool soothing temperature. Vitamin E is a natural preservative which will help to lengthen the shelf life, however, the raw cucumber will still have shortening effects. Smooth lightly under the eyes and across the eyelid, taking care not to get it in the eye itself.

To clean dirt and dead skin cells from skin use a coffee scrub:

Pour ½ cup of olive oil into a mixing bowl. Add 10 to 20 drops of sandalwood essential oil and ½ cup of dried coffee grounds as an exfoliator to form a loose paste. You can add or lessen the amount of coffee grounds until you reach your desired consistency. Place in a wide mouth jar that will allow you access to the paste. Rub skin gently for several minutes, then wash with a gentle soap. Pat skin dry.

For rough dry or rough skin on knees, elbows and ankles use a balm:

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup Cocoa Butter, 1 cup Shea Butter, ½ cup Jojoba Oil, ¼ cup beeswax. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance if you wish. Microwave on medium power for 3 or 4 minutes, stir, resume for another 3 or 4 minutes, stir...repeating until all ingredients are melted. Do not allow to boil! Shea Butter loses beneficial properties if heated to a high temperature. Stir the mixture very well and then pour into wide mouth jars big enough to get your hands inside. After complete cooling, cover with lids. Use as needed, but remember it takes very little!

For acne use this night cream:

6 tsp grapeseed oil

3 tbsp beeswax

3 Vitamin E capsules

½ cup witch hazel

5 tsp Aloe Vera gel

5 drops Lavender essential oil

4 drops Lemon essential oil

2 drops Cedarwood essential oil

7 drops Grapefruit Seed extract

Using a small glass dish, combine grapeseed oil and beeswax, melt slowly in the microwave on low power. Remove and stir occasionally until wax is fully melted. Add the vitamine E and stir.

Combine witch hazel and aloe vera in another glass dish and stir until blended. Gently warm this mixture in the microwave until it's only lukewarm. While continually stirring, pour the oil and wax mixture into the witch hazel and aloe vera. Use a wire whisk to stir. Add the essential oils and the grapefruit seed extract, continuing to stir. Pour into a clean sterilized glass jar, preferably dark glass. Allow it to cool before screwing on the cap. Stir occasionally while cooling to eliminate separation of ingredients. Store in a cool dark place. Makes about 6 oz of acne cream.

Use every night following a thorough cleaning with a skin cleanser.