August 25, 2011 · 9:00 am
As wonderful it is to spend so much time outdoors this season, soak up the excess Vitamin D, dream life away in a hammock and play around at the beach, the truth is, all of this can wreak havoc on our skin and hair. Fortunately, you don’t have to splurge on facials or skin treatments or even beauty products and lotions. Just dig around in your pantry, because this stuff works, and doesn’t contain all those crazy chemicals and definitely doesn’t put a dent in your wallet!
The Problem: Dry and Damaged Hair
When I returned from a week at the shore, my hair was a mess. All that salt, sand, wind, and sun dried it out until it was brittle and prone to split ends! I made this little concoction, and voila! All the natural oils in my hair were restored and it was shiny and moisturized.
Moisturizing Hair Mask
Mix equal parts olive oil and honey. Apply to hair evenly, and wrap towel or silk scarf around in a turban. Let sit for 10 minutes. Shampoo thoroughly, condition, and style as usual.
Why it works: The oil encourages the hair’s own oils to replenish themselves while also sealing in moisture. The honey also moisturizes and conditions, as it is a natural humectant- it binds water to the hair follicle.
The Problem: Oily, Grimy skin or Breakouts
Between sweating more often, swimming peeling from sunburns, and again, just being outside a lot, I know that I am much more prone to breaking out in the summer. This scrub works wonders; forget the facial!
Mix equal parts oats and brown sugar. Add a bit of honey and milk to bind but so that the mixture is still grainy.
Apply it gently to face and scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute. I found that it works best in the shower, because the steam opens up pores (and it’s easier to wash off when finished!) It also works all over the body (hello smooth legs!)
Why it works: The sugar sloughs away dry skin and dirt gently. The oats are also an exfoliant, and a natural skin soother. The honey seals in moisture, and the milk soothes any irritation.
The Problem: Blisters
Ick. The problem with spending so much time in my sneakers outside, walking around barefoot at my lakehouse, or more recently, running errands in NYC in 6 inch platform heels (Yes, I learned my lesson… ALWAYS BRING FLATS)? My feet are destroyed. Blisters are the WORST.
Luckily, the natural world has given us many soothing remedies. Here is my favorite solution!
Lavender Chamomile Blister Soak
Fill a large bowl with hot water. Add about 1/2 cup of almond milk, and 3 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix, and then empty the contents of two chamomile tea bags, and then add several drops of lavender essential oil. Soak feet for at least 10 minutes.
Why it works: The hot water soothes the skin, and the oils in the milk, vegetable oil, and the creaminess of the milk itself all moisturize and calm the area. Lavender and chamomile are natural anti-inflammatories and antiseptics.
Happy Feet!
The Problem: Bug Bites
This is probably my least favorite part of summer! Once I get a bug bite, I won’t stop thinking about it until it goes away. This paste is like homemade calamine lotion… it dries it up and stops the itch!
Anti-itch Paste
Pour a little bit of baking soda into a bowl and add a drop or so of vinegar. Then add drops of water until it forms a thick paste. Apply to bites and let dry.
Why it works: Again, the paste dries the bite out. Furthermore, the acid/base interaction of the baking soda and vinegar soothes itching.
The Problem: Sunburn
Ahhh sunburn. If you don’t have this problem, I envy you (But I also BEG of you to wear sunscreen!). I unfortunately, have extremely sensitive skin, and a bad bout of psoriasis when I was 8 years old left me especially vulnerable, since I received UV treatment. However, though I slather on sunscreen daily, sometimes a burn slips through the cracks. This mixture is as soothing as aloe, when you don’t have it on hand. (When I spent a week in the Virgin Islands working on a sustainable farm, I used real aloe, straight from the leaves! But that’s another story 
)
Cucumber Lavender “Lotion”
Grate or puree cucumber in a food processor. Mix with some yogurt, and add couple drops lavender essential oil. Apply to burn, and let soak for at least 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Why it works: Cucumber is a cooling vegetable, thus soothes and moisturizes your skin. The yogurt also has soothing and moisturizing qualities. Finally, lavender is a natural antiseptic.
Hope these help… we have to enjoy summer while it lasts!
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. These are remedies that have worked for me, and while I hope they work as well for you, they may not. Please keep any allergies in mind before trying any of these remedies.
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As wonderful it is to spend so much time outdoors this season, soak up the excess Vitamin D, dream life away in a hammock and play around at the beach, the truth is, all of this can wreak havoc on our skin and hair. Fortunately, you don’t have to splurge on facials or skin treatments or even beauty products and lotions. Just dig around in your pantry, because this stuff works, and doesn’t contain all those crazy chemicals and definitely doesn’t put a dent in your wallet!
The Problem: Dry and Damaged Hair
When I returned from a week at the shore, my hair was a mess. All that salt, sand, wind, and sun dried it out until it was brittle and prone to split ends! I made this little concoction, and voila! All the natural oils in my hair were restored and it was shiny and moisturized.
Moisturizing Hair Mask
Why it works: The oil encourages the hair’s own oils to replenish themselves while also sealing in moisture. The honey also moisturizes and conditions, as it is a natural humectant- it binds water to the hair follicle.
The Problem: Oily, Grimy skin or Breakouts
Between sweating more often, swimming peeling from sunburns, and again, just being outside a lot, I know that I am much more prone to breaking out in the summer. This scrub works wonders; forget the facial!
Mix equal parts oats and brown sugar. Add a bit of honey and milk to bind but so that the mixture is still grainy.
Apply it gently to face and scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute. I found that it works best in the shower, because the steam opens up pores (and it’s easier to wash off when finished!) It also works all over the body (hello smooth legs!)
Why it works: The sugar sloughs away dry skin and dirt gently. The oats are also an exfoliant, and a natural skin soother. The honey seals in moisture, and the milk soothes any irritation.
The Problem: Blisters
Ick. The problem with spending so much time in my sneakers outside, walking around barefoot at my lakehouse, or more recently, running errands in NYC in 6 inch platform heels (Yes, I learned my lesson… ALWAYS BRING FLATS)? My feet are destroyed. Blisters are the WORST.
Luckily, the natural world has given us many soothing remedies. Here is my favorite solution!
Lavender Chamomile Blister Soak
Fill a large bowl with hot water. Add about 1/2 cup of almond milk, and 3 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix, and then empty the contents of two chamomile tea bags, and then add several drops of lavender essential oil. Soak feet for at least 10 minutes.
Why it works: The hot water soothes the skin, and the oils in the milk, vegetable oil, and the creaminess of the milk itself all moisturize and calm the area. Lavender and chamomile are natural anti-inflammatories and antiseptics.
Happy Feet!
The Problem: Bug Bites
This is probably my least favorite part of summer! Once I get a bug bite, I won’t stop thinking about it until it goes away. This paste is like homemade calamine lotion… it dries it up and stops the itch!
Anti-itch Paste
Pour a little bit of baking soda into a bowl and add a drop or so of vinegar. Then add drops of water until it forms a thick paste. Apply to bites and let dry.
Why it works: Again, the paste dries the bite out. Furthermore, the acid/base interaction of the baking soda and vinegar soothes itching.
The Problem: Sunburn
Ahhh sunburn. If you don’t have this problem, I envy you (But I also BEG of you to wear sunscreen!). I unfortunately, have extremely sensitive skin, and a bad bout of psoriasis when I was 8 years old left me especially vulnerable, since I received UV treatment. However, though I slather on sunscreen daily, sometimes a burn slips through the cracks. This mixture is as soothing as aloe, when you don’t have it on hand. (When I spent a week in the Virgin Islands working on a sustainable farm, I used real aloe, straight from the leaves! But that’s another story
)
Cucumber Lavender “Lotion”
Grate or puree cucumber in a food processor. Mix with some yogurt, and add couple drops lavender essential oil. Apply to burn, and let soak for at least 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Why it works: Cucumber is a cooling vegetable, thus soothes and moisturizes your skin. The yogurt also has soothing and moisturizing qualities. Finally, lavender is a natural antiseptic.
Hope these help… we have to enjoy summer while it lasts!
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. These are remedies that have worked for me, and while I hope they work as well for you, they may not. Please keep any allergies in mind before trying any of these remedies.
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