Homemade skin care recipes and home remedies

I can't resist sharing a few skin care recipes based on cocoa or chocolate.
Chocolate is filled with tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates the mood. No wonder we like it so much :)

When it comes to skin, chocolate offers tons of antioxidants and fats that leave the skin soft and nourished.

The most popular recipe is Chocolate face mask recipe. I have seen many variations of it, but this one, is by far, the best one out there.

Chocolate face mask recipe

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup cocoa
* 1/4 cup of honey
* 2 tablespoons of heavy cream (sour cream will work as well)
* 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder

Preparation

Mix all the ingredient until the mass in consistent. Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.

In case you are wondering, there is a reason oatmeal and honey are added to this mix. Similar to its use in body scrub recipes, oatmeal it is recommended for sensitive skin, but can be used in preparation of facial masks for any skin type, as well as for preparation of facial exfoliants as it is gentle on the skin, yet highly powerful.

Honey on the other hand, is a great anti-bacterial agent, deeply cleanses your skin, and opens up clogged pores.

Now that you know all these benefits of chocolate, not only can you be guilt free while eating it, you can prepare an excellent chocolate face mask recipe and aid to your skins youthful look and nourishment.

If this recipe sounds yummy, check out other natural recipes for skin care

Enjoy!

Oily skin recipes are probably the most popular of all natural recipes for skin care. The most important thing any facial mask targeting oily skin has to do is to remove the excess oil. Excess oil is what clogs the pores making the skin prone to infections, pimples and acne.

Here are a few excellent recipes for oily skin:

Apple facial mask

Ingredients

* One apple, peeled and grated
* 2 tablespoons of honey
* 2 tablespoons of yogurt

Simply combine all the ingredients and apply on the face for about 20 minutes.
Rinse off well and pat dry.

Orange oily skin facial mask

Orange's citrus properties cleanse the skin, remove the excess oil, and prevent any possible inflammation.

Ingredients

* Juice from ½ an orange
* 8 tablespoons of flour

Combine the ingredients until you get a paste like consistency.
Apply on the face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off using warm water.

Egg white mask

Ingredients

* 1 egg white
* 1 teaspoon of honey
* 1 teaspoon of olive oil
* 1 teaspoon of lemon juice

Combine all the ingredients into a smooth paste and apply on the previously cleansed face and neck.
Leave on for 25 minutes and rinse well.

Yogurt mask

Ingredients

* Yogurt
* 1 tablespoon of brewer's yeast

Gradually add yogurt to the yeast to get a smooth mixture.
Apply on the face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse well first using warm water and then using cold water in order to close the pores.

Brown sugar is most often used in preparation of facial exfoliants as it is a good abrasive agent yet it is gentle enough so it doesn't damage your skin.

Always use circular motions when applying a scrub of any kind. It helps the circulation. Also, be gentle! Don't apply much pressure as you can scratch the skin.

Always wash your face afterwards. Either let the skin dry on its on or tap your face with a towel.

Here's a simple recipe for an oily skin facial exfoliant or scrub:

Oily skin facial scrub

# 3 tablespoons of Aloe vera gel
# 1 tablespoon of lime juice
# 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
# 1 tablespoon of honey

Preparation

Mix Aloe and honey until completely and smoothly mixed.
Add lime juice and brown sugar step.
Stir mixture until completely blended, sugar should remain undissolved.

How to apply: With your finger apply mask over entire facial area. Leave on for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
Gently massage face in circular motion as you wash mask off.

This treatment must not be done more than three times a week, for skin may get too dry.

Benefits: the lime juice cuts and removes grease from your face. The sugar scrubs dead cells from surface, the Aloe soothes and moisturizes, and the honey gives skin a vibrant look.

More facial exfoliants recipes.