Oatmeal, Lime & Honey Exfoliating Cleanser

Fresh foods we know to be a way to achieving optimum nutritional health.

Fresh ingredients in skin care are the best idea for optimum skin benefits.

As with all fresh fruit, vegetables and liquids such as milk, they have short shelf lives or expiry dates as their freshness disappears.

It makes sense then that using ingredients for skin care that are fresh means there is a short “window of opportunity” to reap the benefits.

Free from toxins, synthetic fragrance and chemicals this cleanser has 6 ingredients easily accessible that combine to make the perfect 7 day cleanser for oily or combination skins.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients:

This is an amazing ingredient for oily skin in an exfoliating cleanser.

If you just wanted to use one ingredient in the kitchen this would be in my top 3 for sure. Why?

It relieves redness, irritated skin, itchiness and dryness while it absorbs all the excess oil and cleans the pores of impurities and blackheads.

Rich in antioxidants it gently exfoliates the skin loosening and removing dead skin cell build up. Oatmeal is high in fibre, vitamin E, phosphorus, thiamine and iron.

Using this ingredient daily will improve the texture and appearance of the skin to a smoother, softer toned skin with a more even healthy color.

When human skin is exposed to ultraviolet light after lime juice contact, a reaction known as phytophotodermatitis can occur, which can cause darkening of the skin, swelling or blistering. Bartenders handling limes and other citrus fruits when preparing cocktails may develop phytophotodermatitis due to the high concentration of furocoumarins in limes.

One of the best citrus fruits for oily and combination skin.

A natural antibiotic cleanser, it may help keep the pores free of bacteria forming into acne, spots or blemishes that can form when dirt, oil or impurities clog the pores.

Lime has natural astringent properties which help tighten the pores and temporarily reduce oil production.

Rich in the antioxidant vitamins C and A, limes may have an anti-ageing effect when introduced into the diet and used on the skin daily.

Natural citric acid helps slough off the dead skin cells that we shed daily.

By removing them, fresh new skin is revealed giving a brighter, rejuvenated appearance which has a more uniform color thanks to increased blood circulation.

We know they have wonderful health benefits with fibre, good fats and protein.

They equally have excellent skin benefits including making skin supple, smoother and younger looking so why not include them in homemade skin care and this cleanser is ideal.

There are a number of beneficial choices; here are my favourites for the skin:

Almonds – great for reducing inflammation and help to prevent outbreaks of acne, pimples and spots.

Walnuts – rich in B vitamins and fatty acids helps to prevent skin disorders and promote a younger looking complexion.

Pecans – perfect choice for flushing toxins out of the body when eaten which has a direct effect on the skin. Toxin build up may cause dullness, excess oil and breakouts on the skin.

Hazelnuts – One of the best all round nuts or carrier oils to include in skin care and for your health. It contains Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, minerals and nutrients all designed to keep the skin and body in tip top condition.

Pumpkin Seeds – packed full of vitamin E, magnesium and zinc these are the unsung heroes of the skin care world, in my opinion. These seeds will help regenerate new cells, keep skin glowing and help ward off bacteria that may lead to acne. Vitamin E is a known powerful antioxidant which helps skin heal and repair itself while zinc has long been known as a remedy for acne.

Sunflower Seeds – a rich source of magnesium which helps improve blood flow to the skin giving a more healthy appearance.

One of the best all round ingredients to benefit all skin types.

For oily or combination skin it treats inflammation from pustules or spots and has a mild exfoliating action helping to remove dead skin cells, flaky skin and add nourishment at the same time.

For any dry patches of skin it adds moisture and retains moisture in the skin being a natural humectant.

Honey is antibacterial, soothing and improves the overall appearance and texture of the skin.

Milk ~

Another ingredient that has benefits for all skin types and a great binding ingredient to use in fresh cleanser, face scrubs, face masks and for the bath.

Loaded with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and nutrients, milks benefits include; unclogs pores, moisturizing, treats acne, reduces inflammation and anti-ageing.

My newest best friend! This oil is a-maz-ing, seriously!

A very light oil in consistency, it is quickly absorbed in the skin. Used alone or in any number of skin care products, it really is a beneficial oil to have and may even be used on sensitive skin.

Rich in antioxidants it helps to prevent pores from clogging has anti-inflammatory properties which prevent and cure any breakouts or irritated skin.

Natural astringent means it has a tightening effect on the skin and pores, ideal to use in a skin cleanser or toner for oily skin.

Fine lines and wrinkles are minimized with regular use of this oil and one of the fabulous benefits is it eliminates dark circles under the eye area.

Regular daily use of the oil directly under the eye will see them magically disappear within a week.

Maintaining collagen and elastin, moisturizing and anti-ageing, enough said!

This skin type is most prevalent in teenagers or young adults because of the increased rate of sebum production in the skin due to the male hormone testosterone. It is a most common skin type within certain ethnic skin types and may be due to the quantity of sebaceous glands present that produce large amounts of sebum.

Characteristics of Oily Skin include:

• A thick epidermis.
• Sallow complexion.
• Open and enlarged pores predominantly down the “T-Zone” or centre panel.
• A shiny complexion due to over-active sebaceous glands.
• Blackheads, pimples and pustules are common.
• Skin is not as aged as dry skin types and tends to look more youthful, particularly around the eye area with fine lines rather than deep wrinkles.

From as early as 11 years old our skin starts to change and people will typically have characteristics from all skin types, hence known as combination skin. I have had this type of skin all my life from teens to 40’s so it is not something reserved just for the puberty or young adult years. Combination skin may be part normal, part dry and part oily with a little sensitivity.

Characteristics of Combination Skin include:

• Oily forehead, nose and chin (T-Zone).
• Open pores and blackheads particularly on the nose.
• Invisible pores often on the cheeks.
• Complexion can be a little dry on the cheeks, neck and eye areas.
• Partial flaky skin and dry skin characteristics may occur particularly in cold weather or during the winter months.
• Skin will not age as prematurely as a dry skin type due to its oily characteristics.
• Skin feels tight after washing.

1/3 cup Oatmeal

1/2 Squeezed Lime

1/3 cup Mixed Unsalted Nuts and Seeds (whatever combination you like)

1 tbsp Honey

1/4 cup Milk

1tbsp Grapeseed Oil or Jojoba Oil

Blender

Recycled Glass Jar with Lid

Method:

• Add the oatmeal, nuts and seeds to the blender and grind to a fine powdery texture. These provide an exfoliating element to this cleanser without being too abrasive.
• Add in the other ingredients one at a time blending together in-between.
• Check for the consistency (light – thin, lotion style) and add more milk if needed, a teaspoon at a time.
• Pour into your container and secure it with the lid.
• Store it in the refrigerator in-between use.
• Use twice a day, for a period of 5-7 days.

To Apply:

• Keep hair off the face by securing with a hairband, hair clips or a shower cap.
• Add a few teaspoons into the palm of your hand and start applying your cleanser starting at the base of the neck and working up the face.
• Massage in the cleanser using small circular movements to help loosen up the dead skin cells, stale makeup and daily grime.
• Avoid using on the eyes or around the delicate eye area to remove any makeup.
• Use eye makeup remover or a drop of coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil.
• Leave on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing off with tepid water.
• Do a final splash of cold water and pat the skin dry.
• Follow with your skin toner appropriate for oily or combination skin.
• Apply skin serum and moisturizer.

Tips:

If spending extended periods in the sun, don’t forget to put on your sunscreen.

If you wish to substitute lime, use fresh lemon juice or juice from orange or apple.

In place of grapeseed oil, use jojoba oil, hazelnut oil or olive oil.

If you have an allergy to nuts leave them out of this. Add dried mint instead, mint contains salicylic acid and helps keep pores deep cleansed.

If possible use organic ingredients to retain the highest amount of nutritional benefits free from pesticide residues.

Place a small sticker on the container with shelf life dates.

Food For Thought . . . .

Keeping skin care simple when making beauty products from home does not have to mean your skin is missing out on beneficial ingredients hidden in commercial products.

What you will be missing is many ingredients that may do more harm than good. It makes sense to be informed about what we feed our bodies so why not our skin?

"Creating health awareness through homemade beauty solutions"

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