Avocado hydrating mask
- 1 tbsp cream
- 1 tbsp yoghurt
- 2 tsp honey
- Flesh of half an avocado
>> Blend all ingredients until smooth. Using a foundation brush, gently paint the mask on to your face, avoiding the eyes.
>> Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
Beauty benefit
Dr Asha Rani, ayurveda practitioner from Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre, says, "Avocado is an excellent source of monounsaturated fat and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as potassium and vitamins A, C and E. Because avocado oil is more penetrating than other commonly used oils, such as almond and olive, all these nutrients are absorbed deeply into the skin. Avocado is particularly beneficial for sensitive or ageing skin, as its moisturising and rejuvenating properties increase the production of collagen."
Thyme and fennel cleanser
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- Juice of half a lemon
>> Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add the lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar in the refrigerator. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning.
>> Simply dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, then rinse.
Beauty benefit
Fennel is a powerful essential oil. "As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin," says Finneran. "Fennel can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme is useful for its toning, refreshing and antiseptic properties."
Face and body scrubs
Berry-skin facial scrub
- 3 medium strawberries (with green stems removed)
- 1 tbsp honey
>> Cut strawberries into small pieces, then mash against the sides of a bowl. Fold in honey and gently mix.
>> Using small circles, massage the scrub into your face with your fingertips for a few minutes, and rinse with warm water.
Beauty benefit
According to health food website www.foodscout.org, strawberries have long been used topically in traditional medicine to treat burns and other skin irritations. The ancient Egyptians applied crushed strawberries to the face to treat acne. The website claims that strawberries have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sugary exfoliating body scrub
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup raw oatmeal
- 1 cup olive oil
>> Mix all ingredients to forma paste.
>> Massage into your skin in slow, gentle circles.
>> You may want to stand in the shower while you apply the scrub to avoid any excess mess.
>> Rinse off in the shower using warm water.
Beauty benefits
"Plain rolled oats is an excellent multi-purpose skin care treatment that can relieve dryness, restore natural moisture balance and aid in healing minor irritations," says Dr Rani. "Combined with the fine gritof sugar, grime and dead skin can be diminished naturally, without chemicals or dryness."
Facial masks
Anti-ageing banana mask
- 1 small banana
- 2 tbsp fresh cream
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rolled oats
>> Mash the banana then add the cream, honey and oats to form a smooth paste. Using a foundation brush, gently paint the mask on to your face, avoiding the eyes.
>> Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Beauty benefit
"The ingredients in this mask all have certain anti-ageing properties," says Dr Rani. "They are rich in potassium, enzymes, and vitamins A and B. Bananas smooth out wrinkles by narrowing pores and rebalancing the skin's pH. They also balance and heal dryness, sunburn, itching and redness. The honey and cream in this mask work wonders for dry skin and the oats are an exfoliate." Asha suggests adding a dash of orange juice for greasy, oily skin-types.
Yoghurt face mask
- 1/4 cup plain natural yoghurt
- 3 tsp honey
- 3 tsp mashed cooked pumpkin
- 3 tsp mashed cooked carrots
>> Blend or mash all ingredients to form a smooth paste. Gently lather on to your face avoiding the eyes and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off in a warm shower before toning the face and applying a light moisturiser.
Beauty benefit
Fresh, live yoghurt contains the highly beneficial culture Lactobacillus Acidophilus that fights bacteria that cause infection and also helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. According to University of California bee expert, Norman Gary, honey is often used in cosmetic applications. "Honey has antiseptic qualities. It is also a humectant, meaning it has the ability to absorb and retain moisture. It's a natural partner in a variety of cleansers and moisturising products."
Pumpkin and papaya enzyme mask
- 2/3 cup fresh papaya, skin and seeds removed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
>> Blend or mash all ingredients to form a smooth paste. Prepare your face with a daily cleanser to remove all residual makeup.
>> Apply the mask over your face with a foundation brush, avoiding your eyes. You may feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin and papaya gently exfoliate.
>> Leave for ten minutes then rinse off with warm water. Apply toner and moisturiser as normal.
Beauty benefit
Papaya has been acknowledged for its medicinal benefits since the 18th century. It's a complete nutrient food for skin - 100g of pulp contains 2,500i.u. of vitamin A. According to Noreen Finneran, author of The Incredible Edible Spa, papaya also contains papain, an enzyme that softens the skin from deep within and encourages the process of cell renewal. "Pumpkin contains high levels of beta-carotene that can rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture and fade age spots."
Facial cleansers
Grape cleanser
2 large grapes
>> Grape juice makes an excellent cleanser for any skin type. Simply split open one or two large grapes, remove pips and rub the flesh and juice over your face and neck.
>> Rinse off with cool water, then moisturise as normal.
Beauty benefit
According to Ayurvedic practices, grape juice is both sweet and cooling. "Grape juice contains anthocyanin pigments, a key antioxidant that cools the blood and increases blood flow," says Dr Rani. "Grape juice also maintains elasticity of the skin and helps to reduce ageing."
Rosewater facial toner
- Rose petals
>> Place a firmly packed cup of rose petals into a small bowl. Pour two cups of boiling water over the top then cover and steep until the liquid is cool.
>> Strain, squeeze out the liquid from the petals and refrigerate the rose water in a sterilised jar when not using.
Beauty benefit
According Finneran, "Rosewater is a gentle astringent and moisturiser replacing liquid to the cells and tightening the pores. Rosewater also contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties."
Kiwi-almond facial scrub
- 1 kiwifruit
- 2 tbsp plain yoghurt
- 1 tbsp almond oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp finely ground almonds
- 1 tsp orange juice
>> Purée the kiwifruit in a food processor. With the motor still running add yoghurt, almond oil, honey and ground almonds. Process until thick. Add the orange juice to thin.
>> To apply, massage gently over neck and face, and then rinse well.
Beauty benefit
The combined textures of kiwifruit pips and ground almonds are gentle exfoliants that remove impurities from the skin's surface. "Almond oil is an excellent moisturising lubricant for all skin types," says Finneran. "When raw almonds are ground they become a gentle stimulant to your skin's pores and act as a ‘beauty grain'."
Hair
Coconut protein hair treatment
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp coconut milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
>> Mix all ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork until combined.
>> Apply to wet hair prior to shampooing.
>> Wrap in a towel and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Shampoo and condition as usual.
Beauty benefit
The protein from the eggs and the moisturising qualities of the other ingredients will help restore lustre and shine to even the most damaged hair. For optimum hair condition, Asha suggests trying to avoid using blow dryers and chemicals.
