The cosmetic companies routinely market new creams, and we often get carried away by the promises that stand behind them and spend a lot of money on them. But long before these companies existed, women and men were pampering themselves with natural products that were passed on by word of mouth and from generation to generation, just as our grandmothers did.
The best secrets and tips for facial, body and hair care were given to us by an older generation. They used cheap, effective products to prevent wrinkles, make the skin glow and give amazing shine and volume to their hair. Without further ado, here are 9 of Grandma's greatest natural skin care secrets:
Face masks provide the extra nutrients the skin needs, and it's important to incorporate them in our weekly beauty care routine. We all want to prevent wrinkles and signs of premature aging, and one of the ways to do this is with an egg white mask containing potassium, magnesium, and proteins that preserve skin moisture, prevent free radical damage and help cell regeneration.
To nourish the skin using this mask, scramble an egg white with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for a minute and apply the mixture to your face. Leave the mask on the skin for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Your skin will become more radiant and tight and you’ll also gain a treatment that prevents acne.
If you happen to be living in a rural environment with a barn, the next tip can be especially helpful, since you’re sitting on a wonderful secret that can greatly enhance the look and feel of your skin. The secret lies in the top layer of fresh milk, which should be applied all over the body similar to a moisturizing cream. The fresh milk curd will soften your skin, reduce the number of wrinkles in it, reduce the size of your facial pores, and some claim it will even brighten your skin. You can use cow’s milk, but if you have access to goat's milk, its effect on the skin will be even better.
The next vegetable is not widely known, but with a small push it may become more popular for cosmetic uses - the rhubarb is a pinkish, sweet and sour vegetable that is reminiscent of celery. Only the rhubarb’s stems are consumed because its leaves are poisonous, and because it is rich in vitamins A and C, zinc and calcium it is a great source for preventing free radical damage caused by sun exposure and air pollution.
In addition, the vegetable fights skin infections and is used in alternative medicine to disinfect wounds. To prepare a homemade rhubarb mask, blend 2 rhubarb stalks (no leaves) with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and rub the paste on the face in a circular motion. After 10-15 minutes, wash the mask off. The result should be particularly bright, fresh skin.
If you heard the term "hard water" when referring to tap water, it isn't referring to the water’s temperament, but rather that the concentration of calcium and magnesium in it is high. If you use an electric kettle and notice the accumulation of limescale at the bottom, the reason is the same high mineral concentration.
Rainwater, on the other hand, does not contain a high amount of calcium and magnesium, so it is much healthier for washing our hair making it softer, silkier and helping it grow fast. Rainwater also won’t leave chemical residue that is commonly left behind by products such as shampoo and conditioner, and hard water. In order to use rainwater, you must ensure that you store it in an area where there is no air pollution, since such water may have accumulated acidic sediment.
The benefits of apple cider vinegar are spread across many areas, and its benefits to our health range from balancing blood sugar to helping with weight loss. Apple cider vinegar is rich in nutrients such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and various vitamins, and it has another important advantage in nourishing hair and facial skin.
This natural and wonderful product has been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes and is considered effective for removing stains and pigmentation from the skin, as well as for hair cleaning. To use the vinegar on your face, mix it with water and apply it to your skin with a cotton round. In addition, use it to add volume and shine to your hair, prevent the accumulation of dandruff, and give it a really good clean, by washing your hair with apple cider vinegar once a week.
The benefits of coconut oil for cosmetic uses cannot be overemphasized in words - the oil used for many generations for beauty care does wonders for dry and limp hair, prevents excessive shedding, moisturizes dry skin and is also wonderful for nourishing facial skin.
Since some are deterred by the greasy feeling and appearance of coconut oil on the skin, a wonderful solution would be to use it as a make-up remover – this way you’ll get the nourishment and also avoid the greasy and heavy feeling. To use the oil, pour some on a cotton round and remove the makeup. Once you’re finished, wash your face with a bit of tepid water and wipe gently.
Black tea is a very common tea found in most homes. Its cosmetic use, with all its advantages, will not only surprise you but also help you throughout the hot summer months. Although we are always warned to be smart when out in the sun, many of us still come back sunburned after a long day at the beach or even a short trip to the park.
What can save us in such a situation is black tea - a cheap and accessible product - added to a nice soothing bath. Soaking in this special bath will soothe the burning sensation within a few minutes. In order to make a tea infusion to add to a tepid bath, brew 5 tea bags in a kettle with boiling water. Let the tea cool down to room temperature, add it to the bath water, and soak in it for a few minutes or until you feel relief.
Our hair decides too much for us in life, and it can be so bossy that the way we feel first thing in the morning sometimes depends on its appearance. Despite the variety of commercial hair care products, some of which can be especially expensive, a natural and ancient secret that was used long before the invention of industrial hair care products is found in mayonnaise. Yes, the same spread that usually goes on our baloney sandwich is a product that will have a miraculous effect on your hair, making it silky and soft to the touch.
Using homemade mayonnaise is the best, but even store-bought full fat mayonnaise will get the job done. Simply spread 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise on the hair and brush it after 2-3 minutes. Once you’re done brushing, wash the mayonnaise thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner - the results will astonish you!
