Dry Skin Remedy: Olive Oil Scrub

Photo Credit: 96dpi 

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• 5 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Mix the sea salt and olive oil in a bowl
2. Add the juice of the lemon
3. Use this body scrub to exfoliate and moisturize your skin in the shower

Why it works:

Olive oil contains a compound called linoleic acid. This compound prevents water from evaporating. This keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized. Olive oil also contains various antioxidants that help prevent anti-aging and skin cancer.

Dry Skin Remedy: Honey Rub

Photo Credit: Flооd 

Ingredients

• Honey

Method 

1. 2-3 minutes before taking a shower, gently massage the honey onto your skin.
2. Remember to pay attention where the skin is driest e.g knees, elbows, feet
3. Rinse off in the shower

Why it works:

Honey can be used as a moisturizer because it is a humectant. A humectant is a substance that retains and provides moisture for the skin. It also has antimicrobial properties.

Chapped Lips Remedy: Aloe Vera Mask

Photo Credit: Noortje Schmit

Ingredients:

• Aloe Vera gel/plant

Method:

1. If you are using the plant, use a knife to remove the skin of the aloe vera to reveal the gel (be careful of the spikes on the edges). Scrape out the gel. 
2. Apply the gel on your lips to soothe the pain and hydrate your lips 
3. Use this treatment daily

Why this works

Aloe Vera has anti-fungal properties which help get rid of bad bacteria on your lips. It is also rich in antioxidants. Aloe vera stimulates collagen which smoothens the lips and heals it. It is a humectant which means it helps retain moisture. 

Acne Remedy: Turmeric and Aloe Vera

Photo Credit: Steven Jackson Photography

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Aloe Vera
• 1 tbsp Turmeric

Method:

• Mix the ingredients to make a paste
• Apply to your acne. Leave on for 15 minutes
• Rinse off
• Use daily

Why it works:

Aloe Vera is able to stimulate collagen production. This quickens healing and wound repair. When your skin is inflamed the aloe vera cools it down and helps your skin heal. It also has antibiotic activity which helps kill bacteria and fungi. It helps treat tissue injury and kill bad bacteria so it works well for acne. Turmeric helps reduce inflammation because it can block the production of certain prostaglandin chemicals. It is also an anti-biotic agent.

Caution: Turmeric leaves a yellow stain on your skin

Acne Remedy: Fenugreek Paste

Photo Credit: prashant_zi

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Fenugreek powder
• 1 tbsp water

Method:

1. Mix the ingredients to make a paste
2. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave on for 15 minutes
3. Rinse off
4. Use daily

Why it works

Fenugreek contains volatile oil and flavonoids which are good for your skin. Fenugreek also contains anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial chemicals. These chemicals draw out the infection from acne and reduce it’s redness and inflammation.