Too many cucumbers . . .

This refreshing toner has a cool scent that will lift your spirits. Cucumber juice is a natural astringent that also is cleansing and refreshing. It can be used all over your body and is wonderfully soothing for a sunburn. Makes 8 ounces

• 1 medium cucumber, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup witch hazel extract
• 1⁄4 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel

1. In a blender, process cucumber into a smooth puree and strain.
2. Mix cucumber juice with remaining ingredients and stir well. Pour into clean spray bottle.
3. To use: Spray onto clean skin after bathing or whenever your skin could use a boost. It can spoil easily, so store in refrigerator between uses.

Janice Cox is the author of Natural Beauty from the Garden

And to get YOU ready for Fall!

Perhaps your skin needs a little brightening. Head to the kitchen!

Home Spa Fresh From Your Kitchen
by Kayla Fioravanti, Cosmetic Formulator and Registered Aromatherapist at essential wholesale

After a long hard day all you want to do is sit back and rub egg all over your face to relax. Right? If that doesn’t sound like an amazing spa retreat then read on and learn about some of the best-kept beauty secrets hidden right inside your kitchen. Once you realize that the nutrients that makes an apple good for you on the inside makes it just as good for you on the outside, it will change the way you look at everyday foods. Next time your kids don’t eat all their applesauce don’t fret, simply rub it all over your face and enjoy an antioxidant mask. Okay, okay, I’m just kidding. Don’t use” their” applesauce; your face really deserves a fresh helping.

Have you ever noticed how all of the cosmetic companies advertise that their products contain fresh items like avocado, honey, oatmeal, papaya and a long list of other food- sourced ingredients? It is not just a marketing scheme; your kitchen really is packed full of nutritious and healthy skin care.

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with fresh topical food, so while you are at it, you might as well eat the bounty of summer. The summer fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants which act as anti-inflammatories for your body from inside and out. I have listed some of my favorite topical foods and their uses. There are hundreds more that I hope you will discover on your own. A good rule of thumb is that if you are allergic to a particular food, do not apply it to your skin, and never put on your face what you would not put in your mouth. Keep in mind that acidic fruits, like lemons and oranges need to be mixed with a buffer such as oatmeal, milk or egg. Keep it fresh, making just what you need for your facial each day.

Fresh Face Cleansers:
Dairy Products contain natural lactic acid, which is an effective and mild alpha hydroxy acid. Lactic acid leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. For normal to dry skin, yogurt and sour crème with a touch of olive oil makes a rich and effective cleanser. For normal to oily skin a mixture of yogurt or sour cream with a splash of grapefruit juice creates an astringent cleanser that will leave your skin looking fresh and clean. Yogurt, because it contains live active cultures, makes an especially good cleanser leaving your complexion smooth, healthy, balanced and fresh.

Fresh Face Toner:
Vinegar’s tonic action promotes blood circulation. It is an antiseptic, which prevents the proliferation of bacteria, viruses and yeast, which can all trigger problematic skin. Most importantly, vinegar regulates the pH of your skin. The unpleasant odor of vinegar can be hidden with lavender essential oil. For extremely oily or acne prone skin adding a drop of lime, lemon or tomato juice to water and applying liberally to your skin with a cotton ball will help with blemishes and uneven skin.

Fresh Face Scrub:
Oatmeal appears in many skin care products. It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties for the skin that cannot be beat. To use it as a mild exfoliant, make a cup of it as fine as possible in your food processor and keep it sealed airtight, using only a tablespoon at a time as needed. For a deeper exfoliation add either cornmeal or brown sugar to your mixture. To use, put a tablespoon of finely ground oatmeal in your hand and add hot water. Exfoliate your face in gentle upward circular motions. Your skin will reap the benefits of oatmeal alone, but it will rejoice if you use warm milk, buttermilk or honey in your mixture.

This article first appeared on HK Magazine Online

Make your own rosewater . . .

It has been cool this Spring but the roses are blooming. Now is the time to think about capturing some of their wonderful scents for your own rosewater.

One way is to distill the petals. But there is an easier way to make this wonderful facial toner. Remember to only gather plant materials from chemical-free gardens and away from the roads where the plants are exposed to exhaust fumes.

Here is a quick and easy recipe by Janice Cox from her book Natural Beauty at Home.

Rosewater

1. 1 cup firmly packed rose petals, washed
2. 2 cups boiling water

• Place rose petals in a ceramic or glass bowl.
  
• Use only fresh petals (no leaves or stems).
• Pour boiling water over petals, and allow petals to steep until cool.
• Strain off the petals
• Pour the scented liquid into a clean bottle.
  

This recipe was published on The Herb Companion, a wonderful, free newsletter.