I’ve been getting into a lot of natural products lately for skin care and cleaning…and by natural I mean homemade, not just the “natural” products from the grocery.  The high cost of “natural” or “organic” beauty care in the stores can be outrageous! So, I have turned to easy ingredients I can keep around my house to take care of personal care.

The skin on my face was never great.  I noticed, however, that certain foods aggravate it more than others (enter nuts and cheese).  By avoiding processed foods and excess sugar and eating lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats, and repairing my gut health, my skin has dramatically improved. 

Blemishes and zits are an internal issue not just a topical problem.  If your insides are toxic then your body attempts to detox…through your face.  Dairy is often a culprit but gluten, soy, nuts, or legumes can often aggravate flare ups too.  If your intestinal tract is leaky and constantly letting environmental toxins and undigested proteins through to the blood, then the body must eliminate the waste.  If you have issues with your skin to any degree, try eliminating certain food categories for a few weeks and see if the issue improves and/or gets worse again when you re-introduce that food.

Cleansing is still important to clear out environmental dirt, grime, make-up, etc. that your face is exposed to everyday.  I typically use a natural/chemical-free tea-tree oil facial cleanser and finish off with coconut oil.  Periodic scrubs, however, I find great to remove extra dirt and build up.

This is my new favorite face-cleansing recipe.  It’s super easy to throw together and leaves my skin soft and cleansed; it also reduces redness.

Makes enough for 2 applications.  Store extra in refrigerator

1 Tablespoon Plain Yogurt with live cultures (I use homemade)
1 teaspoon Raw Honey
1/8 teaspoon ground Turmeric
Drop of Olive Oil
1/8 teaspoon of Dead Sea Salt, Himalayan, or natural Sea Salt

Rub mixture on your skin and gently scrub with your fingers to remove dead skin.  Allow mask to sit on your face for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.  Apply coconut oil or moisturizer when finished.

*Fun Warning: Thanks to the turmeric you may look like a bronzer-abuser (aka 2-toned face and neck combo) when you put the scrub on, but do not be alarmed it will wash off!  Also, your dog may try to eat it.  Although it is safe for consumption, dog slobber is not a part of the protocol.

Here’s Why I Use Each of These natural skincare Ingredients and How each Helps You Glow!

Plain Yogurt is good for more than just your gut!  The lactic acid in yogurt exfoliates the top layer of the skin and reduces blemishes and discoloration.

Raw Honey has anti-microbial properties and aids in wound healing.  It helps decrease inflammation, puffiness, and dry itchy patches.

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps decrease skin blemishes.  It also provides an abrasive for exfoliation.

Olive Oil hydrates the skin and helps clear excess oil.

Salts have great exfoliating properties and minerals, aiding in the removal of dead skin and working to brighten your face!