Fruity Beauty: Home Remedies
The experts at "Fitness" magazine closely examined beauty treatments at some of the country's top spas, and adapted the recipes so you can smooth your skin and revitalize your hair, all without leaving the house.
The magazine's beauty director, Gwen Flamberg, discussed with The Saturday Early Show the healing and cleansing properties of several fruits and how you can make any of them into a mask or conditioner.
It may be hard to believe, but items found in your kitchen can soothe, heal and invigorate your body. We know to eat fruits because they contain valuable vitamins and minerals; it makes sense that these same properties can benefit your skin and hair. Because you are getting a dose of these vitamins in their most pure form, they will work quickly. And because the vitamins are totally natural, with no additives, they won't irritate the skin.
Fruit Masks For Skin
You can turn any fruit into a quick facial mask by blending it with yogurt or honey. Yogurt is a better choice for people with oily skin while those with dry skin should choose honey. Obviously, using yogurt will result in a creamier mask while a honey and fruit mixture will be stickier.
Fruit Conditioning For Hair
You can also use the fruits to condition your hair by blending them with your favorite conditioner, letting the mixture sit on your head for about 10 minutes, and then blasting it with a hair dryer. For even deeper conditioning, mix the fruits with an essential oil such as almond oil.
Fruits That Matter
Flamberg has three specific home remedies for skin and hair based on treatments developed and used in spas across the country.
To Banish Dry Skin
Lime and Ginger Salt Scrub
Mix: 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp camellia oil, 1 grated lime rind, and 1 tsp shredded ginger.
Scrub mixture on wet skin in gentle, circular motions, concentrating on elbows, knees, backs of shoulders and heels.
Why it works: Ginger revs up circulation, lime cleanses and purifies, camellia oil softens.
*Camellia is a flower and you can buy the oil at most health food stores.
To Calm A Breakout
After cleansing, apply a warm towel to your face. The heat softens the debris in clogged pores and helps draw out impurities.
Mix: 2 tsp crushed oatmeal, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp plain yogurt, 2 tsp diced orange.
Use the mixture to lightly exfoliate skin.
Rinse and apply a mask of: 1 mashed papaya (use a blender or potato masher) and 1 tsp plain yogurt.
Leave on for 10 minutes, rinse and moisturize.
Why the exfoliant works: Orange is an astringent and honey and yogurt moisturize while acting as a soothing anti-irritant.
Why the mask works: Papaya contains enzymes that dissolve and lift away dead skin cells.
The entire treatment will help prevent further breakouts by dislodging dirt and thoroughly cleansing the skin, allowing healthy new skin to shine through.
To Stimulate Your Scalp
Whip half an avocado with 1 tsp honey and 2 tsp heavy cream in a blender. Work through hair and rub into scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse.
Why it works: Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. The honey helps return the scalp to a neutral pH balance while the avocado, which is rich in monosaturated fats, vitamins and minerals, softens hair.