DIY Autumn Skin Care: Raspberry Mint Toner

Happy Sunday all!

There are so many great berries out there that I wanted to keep the theme going for this week! So, today I bring you a Raspberry Mint Toner.  Here's a toner that will not only tighten your pores with the help of mint, which is a natural cleanser with antibacterial properties, but will also be a luscious treat for your nose, with the infusion of raspberries. The berries also add the beneficial antioxidants A & C into the mix, which are good for all skin types.

You'll need: 

* 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves (or two organic mint tea bags)
* 1/4 cup whole raspberries (any variety, rinsed)
* 3 cups water

Combine water & mint (or tea) in a small saucepan. Once the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer & add the raspberries. Let the mixture simmer for about another four minutes — just until you will smell the strong aroma of raspberries releasing (you don't want to overcook the berries and have them lose their shape). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain the liquid into a container.

Use a cotton pad or ball to tone your face liberally after washing, using upward strokes.  Alternately, you can pour the toner into a bottle with a spray top and spritz your skin liberally, allowing the toner to dry before you continue with makeup, moisturizer, etc. 

This mixture will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator.  Or, you can add 5-7 drops of grapefruit seed extract to the mix, shake well, and extend the life of the product to about a month.  Enjoy!

Peace & Natural Blessings - 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Autumn's Harvest: Strawberry Antioxidant Face Mask

Happy Sunday all!

As I move through the list of Autumn harvest ingredients for skin care, we finally come to berries.   Now, berries are one of my FAVORITE foods of all time.  They're juicy, sweet, and full of antioxidants.  

But how are strawberries beneficial in  organic skin care?

First, it is a natural exfoliant. Its gentle acidic nature can take care of all those flaky dead cells on top of the skin. It’s natural salicylic acid (please be aware that if you have an allergy to salycylic acid, you should NOT use this recipe!) is a good combatant for acne and black heads. Strawberry also has antiseptic and skin lighting properties.  It has all those wonderful vitamins & antioxidants. And don’t forget folic acid, which is essential for healthy new cells! 

So, let's get on with the recipe:

Mix 5 strawberries with 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 teaspoon of honey. Blend it into a state of purée. Spread the mixture on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently wash off with warm water.

For dry skin you may also try mixing a few strawberries with 1 teaspoon sour cream & 1 teaspoon honey. This is especially good for flaky skin.  (You can also use cream (2-3 tsp) and milk (1 tbsp or so).)

I hope you've enjoyed this week's skin care recipe, straight from nature and your kitchen.  More berry recipes next week:)!

Peace & Natural Blessings - 

Candace 

RedSunflower Designs

Facial Cleanser from Grapes? Absolutely!

Happy Sunday all!

As a tribute to my love for a good red wine, this week's DIY Fall Beauty recipe is going to focus on the amazing grape.   So, if your face needs some pep, red grapes can give it an anti-oxidant lift!  

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup mashed grapes (or so; doesn't have to be exact)
• around 1 tsp olive oil (adjust up or down a smidge depending on skin type)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup milk (can be cow, goat, soy, whatever you want)

In a blender, combine the grapes, oil, baking soda and milk, and mix well.  Gently wash your face with this morning and evening. Rinse off with warm water.  

If you refrigerate, this should keep for about a week. 

This is GREAT for your skin because, as we all know, grapes are super high in antioxidants.  The olive oil helps your skin to retain moisture.  Baking soda helps to soften the skin - for that "smooth as a baby's bottom" complexion we all want!  Finally, the enzymes in milk help to gently exfoliate your skin.

I hope you guys have all enjoyed this recipe and found it useful.  Please feel free to comment and let us know how it goes. 

See ya next week :)!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

FALL SERIES: Apple Body Scrub

Happy Sunday all!

In keeping with the Autumn theme, today we're working with apples!  You can read more about the skin benefits of apple here.  So, let's get on with the recipe for an Apple Body Scrub!

You'll need:

• a fresh apple
• salt (preferably himalayan pink salts or dead sea salts)
• OR sugar
• oils (jojoba, coconut, grapeseed; whatever your preference is)
• shea or cocoa butter (if you have it, if not don't worry about it)
• OPTIONAL: a pinch of cinnamon and/or clove powder

Peel the apple (or not, really doesn't matter too much), and crush the apple until you have what is basically a thick applesauce.  Combine the apple, the salt and/or sugar the shea or cocoa butter (if using) and the oils.  Start with roughly equal parts apple and sugar/salt, add about 1 tbsp of the butter, then add oils 1 tbsp at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.  If you choose to use the cinnamon, you can add that now. Voila! You have a completely natural body scrub.  This should keep in the refrigerator for probably a week or so. 

You can also check out some of my new scrubs & masks at my shop!

I hope you've enjoyed the recipe, and let me know your thoughts on how you're liking this series.

Peace, Love, and Natural Blessings -

Candace

RedSunflower Designs