Eco Beauty May 26, 2009

Have you ever thought of what’s in your beauty products?  We all are concerned about what goes into our bodies, why not be concerned for what we put on our bodies?  The average woman uses 10 different products on her face daily.  (Think about it…..cleanser, exfoliating scrub, mask, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, foundation, power, eye make-up, lip stick,  etc.)  What’s in all of this stuff?  Right off the bat, I can tell you without any research they all (or most of them) have water, alcohol, preservatives (usually a chemical close to formaldehyde, yes formaldehyde!), dyes, and perfumes.  Mmmmm.

Why not try something that is natural?  Something that is good for your skin and won’t hurt our water supply or the eco systems the water drains into.  A mask that will improve the quality of your skin with vitamins and minerals rather than chemicals and toxins.  The best part is…..it’s CHEAP!!

Here are two recipes I found for avocado masks:

Santa Barbara’s Dry Skin Masque

Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy, then add the mashed pulp of a half avocado, blending it well (you may use a blender at this point). Cleanse your face thoroughly before using this masque (or any masque). Spread the avocado mixture over the face and neck evenly; relax on a slant board or bed for about 20 minutes. Remove with clear tepid water and a face cloth, followed by a rinse of cold water or a mild skin lotion. The result should be a marked improvement in skin texture, and all-around revitalizing.

Santa Monica’s Oily Skin Masque

Put the white of an egg, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and the mashed pulp of a half avocado into a blender. In seconds, you should have a lovely green mixture. Wash your face and neck thoroughly, then apply masque evenly on those areas. Relax for 20 minutes; remove with tepid water and a face cloth. Follow with cold astringent or skin tonic.

–Pioneer Thinking

For best results try using organic avocados and eggs.  (Free of pesticides, antibiotics, steroids, growth hormones, etc.)  You can keep these masks tightly sealed in the fridge for up to 48 hours.  Have fun and try to experiment with other ingredients like, tea tree oil or lavender oil for antimicrobial properties and a great scent!  Or add honey* for moisture.

*Note:  There is no such thing as “organic honey”.  Honey bees can fly for miles exposing themselves to pesticides and insecticides before returning home to the hive.  The bee keepers have very little (if any) control over this.