Dry, undernourished skin can add years to your age. While many store-bought products boast of organic ingredients, the labels may show that they include those "I haven't a clue what that is" ingredients. Many people tend to feel that if they don't know what it is, they don't want to put it on their face. To offer the greatest benefit to your skin, consider making your own natural moisturizer at home using products you that you probably already have on hand.
How Do Natural Moisturizers Work?
Just like vitamins, minerals and other supplements, natural moisturizers work from the outside in (and vice versa) to restore the innate health and beauty of your skin and body. These options contain no harsh chemicals and are full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that promote overall skin health. So, if you are trying to replace dry, irritated skin with a beautiful, healthy glow, shop in the produce aisle (or look in your kitchen) rather than go to the drug store.
Natural Moisturizers
Natural moisturizers (and other natural products) deliver a variety of healthful benefits. In addition to being chock-full of wholesome nutrients, these moisturizers do not include unnecessary additives that damage the skin rather than restore it. Try any of these natural remedies for treating your skin (and you might decide to also try some other natural alternatives)!
1. Buttermilk
You’ve likely heard the phrase “skin like buttermilk” and wondered about its origin. While it often refers to the color of the skin, it was also once used to described the smoothness and creaminess of skin bathed in buttermilk. The next time you are looking for an effective treatment for exfoliating your skin and eliminating dry, rough skin patches, soak a washcloth in cold buttermilk and lay it on your face or other irritated skin. Allow it to soak for 5 minutes, remove it and rinse gently to allow some of the lactic acid from the milk to remain and restore your skin.
A Comment on Buttermilk
If you can get "real" buttermilk from a local dairy (it is very hard to find), you'll discover that it is quite different from the "cultured" buttermilk that is sold in the grocery store. In the early 1900s, cultured buttermilk was labeled "artificial buttermilk." At some point, the producers of "artificial buttermilk" changed the labeling to "cultured buttermilk." If you've always hated buttermilk, you have probably never had real buttermilk, which is a delicious, tangy beverage, the perfect cold drink on a hot day. (I have fond memories of sitting on my grandmother's porch in the summer and drinking cold buttermilk, many years ago.) Many people feel that cultured buttermilk is sour and not very tasty.
Genuine buttermilk is what is left over after making butter. Cultured buttermilk is pasteurized, homogenized milk that has been inoculated with lactococcus lactis and artificially soured to simulate real buttermilk. Colored flecks of butter may be added so that the "cultured buttermilk" appears more genuine.
2. Olive Oil
More than just a dietary additive, olive oil is also an effective natural moisturizer. Olive oil contains an important compound that is naturally an element of the skin called linoleic acid. This acid creates a water barrier in the skin that helps retain moisture and promotes smooth, nourished skin. Olive oil is also effective for treating a number of common skin conditions including psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis, and eczema.
3. Shea Butter
A product with origins in ancient history, Shea butter is derived from the fruit of the Shea tree. The butter is rich in vitamin A, which serves to restore the natural fats in the layers of the skin. It also aids in the development of normal skin cells, so it not only moisturizes the skin but also keeps it looking young.
4. Avocado
We all know that avocado is largely considered a superfood, but did you know it’s just as nourishing for your skin as it is your body? The oil contained in avocado is considered an emollient, so it actually functions to lubricate the skin and restore natural moisture. This “skin food” is also a good source of vitamins A, D, and E, so it helps prevent wrinkles and other skin issues.
No matter what type of skin you have, these natural moisturizers are sure to nourish and revive your skin. Give one (or all of them) a try and let us know how it works for you.
Other Pages of Interest:
5 Fabulous Natural Cures for Wrinkles
