Kitchen Beauty Instead of Expensive Alpha Hydroxy Acid Products

Kitchen Beauty
Again Kitchen beauty comes to the rescue. Alpha hydroxy acids are used in the cosmetics industry. They are used in products intended to reduce wrinkles, aging and to improve the look and feel of the skin. Chemical peels also use alpha hydroxy acids. Most commercial products use synthetic alpha hydroxy acid. These products are usually quite expensive.

Instead of buying expensive alpha hydroxy acid products turn to your kitchen instead.

There are several types of alpha hydroxy acids derived from various foods.

• Malic acid - apples, vinegar
• Lactic acid - Buttermilk, yoghurt, kefir, powdered skim milk, sour cream, blackberries, tomatoes.
• Tartaric Acid - Grapes, grape juice, wine, cream of tartar
• Citric acid - Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruit, orange.
• Glycolic acid - Cane sugar

Glycolic acid and lactic acid are considered the two that are most useful in skin care because they have a smaller molecular structure which makes them more able to penetrate the skin.

How it works
The alpha hydroxy acid either in commercial products or simple ingredients from your kitchen work by loosening the glue between dead skin cells. The dead cells then fall away leaving smooth and soft skin. If you have sensitive skin test any thing new on a small patch of skin first. Be careful to keep any of these out of your eyes.

Just before I sat down to do this article I rubbed kefir into my face, neck and arms. It went into the skin really easily. It is just about time to go wash it off. You could rub a small amount of lemon juice on, leave 10 minutes and wash off. For something quick try cutting a grape or strawberry in half and rubbing it over your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes before washing off.

Other benefits from utilizing the alpha hydroxy acid from your kitchen produce

• Can help prevent clogged pores
• Enhance cell renewal through exfoliation
• Help hydrate the skin
• Increase collagen production
• Improve skin texture making it appear more radiant
  

When beauty care products are the same as the food you eat you know you are not putting dangerous chemicals on your skin.

Have fun as you find what is in your kitchen to help your skin.

Jocelyn

If you are looking for a book that has compiled loads of kitchen beauty skin care together you might like "Leon's Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets" Ebook. Plenty of recipes including alpha hydroxy facial masks. This information allows you to take advantage of the natural powers of natural ingredients without all the useless added ingredients. Click now to check out Leon's Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets!

Kitchen Beauty - Avocado for Your Hair

Avocado in your hair?

Is this taking kitchen beauty too far?
I don't know. I have not tried this myself but I have come across two recipes for using avocado to strengthen and nourish hair.

Recipe #1

Combine 1 avocado, 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mash the avocado until smooth and mix in egg yolk and oil until well combined.

Recipe #2

1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons yoghurt, 1 gee, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary oil, 1 tablespoon jojoba oil.
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and well combined.

How to Use

The idea is to work it into the scalp. Massage the mixture into the scalp and hair. Leave it in for about 20 minutes. Wash out with shampoo and conditioner.

It is supposed to help the hair regain elasticity, shine and body.

While I haven't tried this I can quite well believe that it could have very beneficial effects due to the wonderful nutrients in avocado.

Natural beauty aids from the kitchen are useful though this one sounds messy. If you try this one let us know how it goes and whether you liked it.

Jocelyn

Kitchen Beauty - Use Avocado for these 6 Skin Conditions

Kitchen Beauty and Collagen

Avocado oil applied to the skin helps the skin to produce collagen. Some studies have found that the use of avocado oil on the skin gives a significant increase in the amount of collagen in the skin.

Collagen increases the strength of the skin and its elasticity. The amount of collagen in our skin decreases with age. It is lack of collagen that causes wrinkles.

Vitamin C and magnesium are necessary nutrients in the production of collagen. These, along with other beneficial to skin nutrients, are found in avocados.

Avocado oil is known to penetrate the skin to a higher degree than many other oils. This helps those nutrients to be transported from the outer layer to the deepest layer of the skin.

It is easy to see how using avocado pulp and avocado oil on your skin can be a help in your beauty skin care routine.

Natural Beauty for Skin Conditions

1. Rashes and rough skin - apply avocado to skin to make it smooth.
   
   
2. Sunburnt skin - rub fruit gently over affected skin for soothing relief.
   
   
3. Age spots, sun damage and scars - softens skin and gives moisturizing effect due to the high sterolin (plant steroid) content of the oil in avocado.
   
   
4. Dehydrated or sun/climate damaged skin - assists in the re-formation and rejuvenation of skin.
   
   
5. Psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis - relieves dryness and itchy, red or irritated areas. Avocado sugars produce an antimicrobial layer over the skin which helps bring this relief. Avocado is easily absorbed into the deep layers of skin.
   
   
6. Small cuts and bruises - hastens healing.

Mash avocado pulp smoothly and use it on any skin that could benefit from it. Alternatively keep some avocado oil on hand and use it on skin conditions as needed.

I usually keep avocado oil in the kitchen because mixed with apple cider vinegar it is my favorite salad dressing. When I use it on my skin it really is a kitchen beauty aid. Remember that avocado oil has a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 6-8.

Enjoy using natural beauty care from your kitchen.

Jocelyn

Kitchen Beauty - 5 Avocado Facial Mask Ideas

Avocado

Avocado is an excellent food to eat. It is packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Of all of the fruits it is the richest in protein, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantathenic acid and vitamins E and K. On top of this avocado has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. In short a veritable storehouse of goodies.

What is not so well known is that it is also very good for the skin. Kitchen beauty treatment in the form of avocado might sound messy but it can have good results.

Facial Beauty

There are a few ways of preparing avocado to use as a facial mask.

1. Simply mash a ripe avocado until it is smooth and apply to the face.
   
   
2. Mash a ripe avocado until smooth and add a little honey and either lime juice or orange juice. The juice helps to thin it down a little.
   
   
3. Add a little milk or oatmeal to the mashed avocado.
   
   
4. Mash a ripe avocado until smooth then add 3-4 drops of almond or other essential fatty oil.
   
   
5. Add 3 tablespoons powdered clay (from health food store) to the smoothly mashed avocado. Leave on till it dries, rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Apply your avocado mixture to the face gently massaging into skin. Leave the avocado mask on for between 15 - 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

These kitchen recipes for an avocado facial mask will leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized.

Adding kitchen beauty ideas to your beauty care routine could easily reduce the cost of your skin care. The other benefit, aside from great results, is that you know what is in it. When you mix it up yourself you know that there is nothing in it that will harm either your skin or your health.

Have fun and enjoy your natural beauty.

Jocelyn