Kitchen Cosmetics

Many of the products we use to cleanse, nourish, and beautify our skin contain toxic ingredients that may actually be harmful to our bodies—not to mention our wallets. We don’t realize that highly effective, non-toxic skin care products are right within our reach for just a few pennies per day.

Usually, what’s good for inside your body is often good for outside too. Your kitchen is a storeroom of nourishment for both. There, you’ll be surprised to find items that can be used regularly as skin and hair products—all affordable, all safe, and all natural.

Take olive oil, for example. Extra virgin, cold-pressed Spanish olive oil, purchased at any grocery store or health food store, is an excellent moisturizer for dry skin or hair. It contains significant amounts of anti-wrinkle ingredients, including vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and powerful anti-oxidants that protect your skin from sun-damage and wrinkles. This ancient beauty oil helps your skin feel more like a rose petal instead of like an old shoe.

Here are a few ways to use olive oil in your beauty regimen. Feel free to scent your olive oil with pure essential oils. Lavender, orange, and rose are excellent for a wonderfully aromatherapeutic experience.
• To combat dry skin, apply to your entire body before showering.
• For dry, damaged hair, apply to your hair (wrap in plastic) overnight; shampoo in the morning.
• To remove makeup, apply liberally and follow with gel cleanser or mild soap.
• Mix with table salt and use as a hand and foot scrub.