Treat Yourself at Home

EASY AT-HOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS Next time you stop by your local farmer's market or grocer, pick up a few extras of these spring fruits and vegetables for mixing up your own homemade skin care products! It will save you money -- and taste great. LEMON CLEANSER FOR ALL SKIN TYPES Beauty ingredients 1/8 cup ground almonds (A coffee grinder works well) 2 tbs milk or cream 1 tsp lemon juice Combine thoroughly, and use to gently cleanse skin. Rinse well with warm water. Skin care benefit According to Sue Dolan, M.Ed., author of Naturally Skinsational: Rejuvenating Skin Care Recipes, lemons are a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and antioxidants. Dolan says, "A natural form of AHA such as lemon is found in many natural skin care recipes for not only the cleansing attributes but for toning and exfoliating the skin." SKIN-REVITALIZING ORANGE PEEL Beauty ingredients  1 egg yolk  1 tsp honey 1/8 cup fresh citrus (lemon, orange or lime) juice 1 packet plain gelatin Mix together thoroughly, and apply to skin for 20 to 25 minutes. Skin care benefit Navel oranges are a great source of AHAs and vitamin C, which are clinically proven to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. In this creation by Dolan, "The egg yolk moisturizes and firms, the honey moisturizes and the citrus juice exfoliates the dead skin cells away, stimulating new cell production." AVOCADO BODY MASK Beauty ingredients  2 avocados, thoroughly mashed into a paste  3 tablespoons sea salt or kosher salt  1/4 cup honey Grated rind of two fresh lemons, along with the juice 1/4 cup organic coconut oil Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. (The consistency should be that of a thin sour cream.) Apply to your skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub off well with warm water. Keep unused portion in refrigerator for two to three days. Skin care benefit "Avocados have a treasure trove of anti-aging attributes," gushes Dolan, including vitamins A, D and E, as well as proteins, lecithin, potassium and beta-carotene, a cancer-fighting ingredient. Dolan continues, "Avocados also are high in emollient qualities imparted by sterolins, which work to heal sun-damaged skin, scarring and reduce age spots." STRAWBERRY DRAWING FACIAL MASK Beauty ingredients 1/2 cup fresh strawberries 1 tablespoon fresh milk 1 tablespoon rice flour or cornstarch Mash together all ingredients to make a smooth paste. Spread over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Use twice weekly. Skin care benefit Strawberries contain natural antioxidants, which are known to repair skin and act as anti-aging agents, as well as protect your skin from environmental stress. The salicylic acid in strawberries removes dead skin cells, unveiling the smooth, radiant skin below. APRICOT AND PAPAYA FACE SCRUB Beauty ingredients 1 tsp apricot kernel powder (finely grated)  3 tbs apricot pulp 3 tbs ripe papaya pulp (peak season is beginning of summer; end of spring if you're lucky!) Mix all ingredients together and apply to your face and neck for 20 minutes. Gently scrub while rinsing off. Leon Rao, natural skin care advisor and author of Leon's Anti-aging Beauty Secrets, advises, "If you don't have apricot kernel powder at home, you can substitute it with oatmeal powder or almond powder." Skin care benefit Apricots are high in beta-carotene and known for reducing problematic skin issues. A mixture of sub-acids and sugar, apricots are great for gentle exfoliation and nourishment, leaving your skin soft and brighter. CARROT FACIAL MASK Beauty ingredients 2-3 large carrots 4 1/2 tbs honey Cook carrots, then mash into a smooth consistency. Mix the mashed carrots with honey, and apply to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes before rising off with cool water. Skin care benefit With roots in Afghanistan, carrots are known for their high potency of vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, folacin and potassium. Carrot juice moisturizes and repairs skin tissue, while protecting it from sun damage and toning the skin. **(article courtesy of sheknows.com)**