Skin care is an important part of your daily life, or should be. Yet its hard to justify spending hundreds of dollars on beauty products while at the same time worrying about the economy and your own wallet. If you are like me and want to continue to look healthy, it is time to look to your cupboards for the solution. Home remedy skin care often works as well if not better then the $25 bottle you bought at the drugstore. I wrote an article for home remedy lip and eye care, now its time to take care of your hands and feet.
Time to pamper the body parts that get the second most use a day.
Coffee Scrub-
Used coffee grounds (cooled)
A simple and easy way to soften your hands. Take the cooled down coffee grounds from your morning coffee and scrub the grounds into your hands. Massage for 5 minutes, making sure to get in between fingers. Rinse with warm water. Do this daily to soften calluses.
Cornmeal Scrub-
1 drop almond extract or oil
1/4 cup cornmeal
4 tablespoons milk
Mix cornmeal in a small saucepan with milk over low flame. Mix until a paste forms, remove from heat and add the almond extract. Cool and spread paste over hands for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Softens and smooths rough hands.
Greasy Gloves-
1 pair of cotton gloves
Vaseline
Coat your hands thickly with Vaseline, then put gloves on. In the morning, wash hands with a gentle cleanser. Do this a few times a week for softer hands.
Fruit Ex foliating Scrub-
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup white sugar (add more for rougher hands)
Combine all but last ingredient in small saucepan, cool till lukewarm. Pour into small bowl and add white sugar. Immediately scrub into hands for a fruity natural ex foliating scrub.
Foot Care
We use our feet everyday with no apologies. Foot care is very important to keep them healthy, strong, and willing to take the abuse we pile on.
Lemon Soak-
Large bowl of warm water
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup Vaseline
Soak feet in warm water for ten minutes. While soaking, combine lemon juice and Vaseline. Remove feet from water and pat dry. Rub Vaseline mix into feet, concentrating on heels and callused areas. Slip on a pair of socks to keep moisture in for at least 30 minutes. Safe to do daily to heal cracked and dry skin.
Strawberry Scrub-
10 strawberries (caps off and chopped)
2 Tablespoons coarse salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Combine salt and oil in medium mixing bowl. Mash strawberries into salt and oil mixture until well blended. (will still be lumpy) Rub strawberry scrub into feet, making sure to get the balls of your feet and heels. Rinse with warm water and apply a coating of Vaseline or other non perfumed lotion.
Freshener-
1/4 cup baking soda
3 Tablespoons vinegar
warm water
In a bowl large enough to soak your feet, combine baking soda and vinegar. Place feet in bowl, and add enough warm water to cover feet. Soak for 15 minutes, remove and pat dry. Doing this helps keep your feet smelling fresh.
Black Tea Soak-
two teabags of black tea
pint of boiling water
2 quarts cold water
Seep teabags in boiling water for 15 minutes. Add in cold water and soak feet for 10 minutes. Another remedy for smelly and sweaty feet.
Remember to check for allergies before attempting any home remedies. These are simply a few things you can do to help save your skin and money each month.
