A study published last week, in a
peer reviewed journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, showed that the great lakes in
North America are being polluted by tiny beads of plastic. The beads are
showing up in floating clusters in the water, on the beaches and are being
ingested by fish.
These beads are commonly used in skincare products like face
wash and exfoliating scrubs. Washing our faces shouldn't be an act of
pollution. Especially since there are alternatives available in the market that
use natural products like apricot and walnut shells or cocoa beans. Better yet
make your own scrub in five minutes with material available in your kitchen.
White sugar, brown sugar, sea salt and regular table salt
are all great exfoliants. Brown sugar crystals are small in size and softer so
they are more suitable for the delicate facial skin. Sugar is full of glycolic
acid that helps condition and moisturize the skin on its own. White sugar and
salt can be used for skin and coarse sea salt is great for feet. Give them a try, lets do our part in keeping the plastic pollutants out of our fresh water resources.
Brown Sugar and Honey Facial Scrub:
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. grated ginger
Method
1. Grate fresh ginger, and squeeze fresh lemon
juice.
2. Mix all ingredients together and place in a
jar.
3. Use the scrub on dry skin before washing.
4. In
winter you can substitute half the honey with olive or almond oil.
The
scrub can be kept in an airtight jar for several days, just use a spoon or
spatula to take it out.
Citrus Salt Body Polish:
Ingredients
1/2 cup
sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
(can substitute light olive oil)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Method
1. Combine all the ingredients in a dry bowl.
2. Pour mixture into an airtight container and
store in a cool dry place.
3. After cleaning the skin, just before exiting,
apply Citrus Salt Body Polish to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with
hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean
towel.
Recipe
courtesy of Paula Dean