Lettuce is abundant come spring and makes a perfect cleansing solution to soothe wind-burned or aggravated skin. It is packed with vitamins, sulfur, silicon and phosphorous -- all which help to naturally restore your skin's pH level and balance your complexion.
Ingredients:
1/2 head of lettuce
4 cups of water
1/8 teaspoon of benzoin (found at the drugstore)
Directions: Put the lettuce in a saucepan and cover with the water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for one hour. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool completely. Strain all the solids and stir in the benzoin. Pour into a clean bottle and use the lotion to cleanse your skin in the morning or at night.
Photo 5/10
Royal rose toner
Spring's most romantic blossom is the rose and, lucky for us, this flower is a natural astringent, and works beautifully at removing oil and dirt from skin.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of dried rose petals
1 cup of white wine vinegar
1/2 cup of rosewater
Directions: Mix together the rose petals and vinegar and let the mixture sit for two weeks. Then, strain and stir in the rosewater. Pour into a spray bottle and mist your face or spray on a clean cotton ball and swipe over your skin after cleansing.
Photo 6/10
April showers body wash
Making your own scented shower gel is a great way to pack the vibrant scents of spring into your morning. They also make great gifts (hint: Mother's Day).
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of unscented liquid soap
1 teaspoon of almond oil
4 drops of essential oil (Chamomile, Rose, or Lavender for calming and Rosemary, Lemongrass, or Eucalyptus for energizing)
Directions: Mix together all of the ingredients and stir very well. Pour into a clean plastic container and place in your shower.
Photo 7/10
Flower petal steam facial
The power of flowers should not be taken for granted this season. They are in full bloom and do wonders to keep your skin soft and supple.
Ingredients:
2 cups of spring water
1/2 cup of fresh flower petals (try lilac, rose, pansy, camellia, and primrose petals)
Directions: Bring water to a boil and then remove the pot from the heat and add the flower petals, stirring gently. Let the mixture rest for five minutes then lean over the pot, keeping your face about 12 inches off the surface of the water, and drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. Sit for five minutes then rinse your face with cool water and pat dry.
Photo 8/10
Refreshing travel towels
Spring vacation anyone? Be prepared with travel-friendly astringent towels that can clean up dirt on the go.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of vodka
1 teaspoon of glycerin
1/2 cup of water
10 drops of lemon oil
Strong ply paper towels
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well. Place folded paper towels side by side in a separate shallow dish. Pour the mixture over the towels and press to saturate. Then, stack the towels in a clean, airtight container and cover. Before you leave on your trip, place them in a re-sealable plastic zipper bag.
Cold weather is good for some things like skiing, snowmen and the occasional hot toddy consumption, but for your skin, it's torture. That's why, by the time spring comes around, your dry, cracked skin is fed up and ready for a little taste of spring time weather.
Along with warm, longer days and a bounty of green, flowers and baby animals (aw...), come a plethora of ingredients perfect for healing, hydrating and alleviating your skin. Peruse your grocery store aisles and you'll see them stocked with some of the best and brightest fruits, vegetables and oils capable of kicking your big-brand skin care products' butts.
That's right. Good ol' mother nature reminds us every spring that with her help, your natural skin care routine can be easy, cheap and effective, too.
When shopping for DIY skin care recipes, it's always best to shop for recipes based on what's in season -- the ingredients are bound to be the most effective and you'll get the best deal on them. That's why all of the following nine skin care recipes from Janice Cox, author of "Natural Beauty for All Seasons", use ingredients that are not only great for skin, but are also in their prime during spring months. Do keep in mind, however, that some seasonal plants and fruits vary depending on the climate of specific regions in the country, so check state-specific seasonal guidelines for some of the ingredients.
