Return to Beauty: Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin [NOOK Book]

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WINTER DRY SKIN

If you have dry skin, the cold winter months can take their toll. Fine lines appear more noticeable. Makeup application seems difficult. Your skin is dehydrated, resulting in a lifeless and flaky surface. These concerns are due to the slowing down of oil-gland production and your skin's inability to retain moisture.

My great-grandmother used fresh snow from the windowsill as a hydrating facial mask. With today's air pollution, I wouldn't recommend that technique! Almond milk, coconut oil, and olive oil are all wonderful foods for winter restoration.

Please note: In the winter, people with dry skin should not use a toner.

DRY SKIN REGIMEN

SHINY LEMON CLEANSER

Lemon helps your skin maintain a healthy pH balance. Sour cream contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates. Olive oil is hydrating.

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon olive oil

PREPARATON€‚In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, sour cream, and oil. Mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Wash your face and neck with this cleanser only at night. Rinse off with warm water. In the morning, splash your face and neck with cold water.

SPARKLING ALMOND CLEANSER

Almond milk is high in vitamin E and offers skin-softening properties. Honey is hydrating and gently exfoliates. Mineral water is like a party for your face.

2 tablespoons almond milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup mineral water

PREPARATON€‚In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and honey. Add the mineral water and mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Wash your face and neck with this cleanser only at night. Rinse off with warm water. In the morning, splash your face and neck with cold water.

PRETTY FLOWERS MOISTURIZER

This is calming, soothing, and hydrating; lilies and lavender are a treat for your skin.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh lily
1 tablespoon lavender (fresh or dried)
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon witch hazel

PREPARATON€‚In a small saucepan, bring the lily and lavender to a boil in 1 cup of water. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain to remove any stems and seeds. In a blender, combine the flower liquid, butter, oil, and witch hazel. Mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Massage a small amount over your face. Splash with warm water and pat dry.

COCO-CREAMY GREEN MOISTURIZER

Avocado is rich in vitamins A, D, and E and minerals. Coconut oil softens and protects. This is the perfect antiwrinkle, healing cure for dry skin.

1/4 avocado
1/2 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon coconut oil

PREPARATON€‚Scoop out the avocado and mash it in a bowl. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, and oil. Mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Massage a small amount over your face.

OOH-LA-LA COCOA BUTTER EYE CREAM

Dry skin under the eye always needs extra conditioning. Cocoa butter is a great emollient. It smoothes wrinkles, leaving your skin flexible and well moisturized.

3 vitamin E capsules
2 teaspoons cocoa butter

PREPARATON€‚Cut off the tips of the capsules. In a small bowl, combine the oil from the capsules with the cocoa butter. Mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Gently apply around the eye area in the morning and the evening.

SPARKLING SPA HONEY SCRUB

Sugar is a gentle scrub for dry skin. Mineral-rich water combines with it to make this the perfect spalike winter facial.

1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon mineral water

PREPARATON€‚In a small bowl, combine the sugar and honey. Add the mineral water and mix well.

APPLICATION€‚Using your fingers, gently scrub your face with this for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. You can use this scrub in the shower.

SELF-HEATING COGNAC MASK

Cognac tightens pores and stimulates blood flow. Honey and cottage cheese gently exfoliate dead skin cells. The egg yolk leaves your skin soft.

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon cottage cheese
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Cognac

PREPARATON€‚Mix together the egg yolk and cottage cheese. Add the honey, then stir in the Cognac slowly.

APPLICATION€‚Cover your face and neck with this mask and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then apply your moisturizer.

Copyright © 2009 by Narine Nikogosian