Stay away from nasty chemicals with our guide to being an all-natural beautyHannah Brissenden
Crazy for coconut oil
Beyond its cooking capabilities and health benefits, coconut oil can become a staple in your beauty regime. Coconut oil’s primary beauty value is in the moisturiser department; with its ability to deep condition your hair, remove eye make-up, and, primarily, help protect your skin from dryness. An all rounder in the beauty department, coconut oil can be used as is, all over. The oil can be found in the health food aisle of most supermarkets, and costs around $8 a jar.
Tea Tree oil an ace in beauty therapy
A natural skin reliever, tea tree oil can be used as a versatile cosmetic product. Apply just a drop of oil to pimples 3 times a day for a fantastic way to naturally combat acne. Alternatively, try adding 4 drops of tea tree oil to a bottle of natural shampoo to alleviate dandruff, or put 2 drops on a cotton pad and rub on infected nails to activate natural antibacterial properties. Tea tree oil can be purchased in health food shops and chemists and is around $11 for a bottle.
Coffee: for sipping and scrubbing
Coffee’s potent caffeine levels and granulated texture upon grinding make it a prime candidate for scrubbing and exfoliating. Coffee scrubs are a big beauty trend at the moment but you don’t need to splash the cash to reap the benefits of coffee. A cheap ground coffee will tighten the skin and lessen cellulite, allowing you to get all the gains of a more expensive scrub at a cheaper price – with the added bonus of no nasty additives. You can buy ground coffee for around $6. To use ground coffee as a scrub, put a handful of the stuff on moistened skin and rub all over – be sure to stay in the shower or bath as it gets messy. Trust us; it will leave you feeling fresh throughout the day.
Excellent uses for Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, made up of the compound magnesium sulfate, have some excellent uses for the all-natural beauty. If your hair is a little lacklustre and in need of a pick-me-up, add a pinch or two to your conditioner upon application. The salt will breathe new life into your hair, making it bouncy and shiny once more. A popular option is to add around 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts to a bath to relieve both mental and physical stress. Bathing in the mineral rich salts amends cumbersome skin conditions; leaving skin restored, soft and supple. The salts can be purchased widely for under $4 at your nearest supermarket.
Oats are a go go
Let this breakfast staple become a staple in your beauty regime too. Oats – both cooked and raw – can be used in a variety of diverse ways; including as a natural acne-remedy or dry shampoo. We recommend applying cooled porridge to acne-ridden skin and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes as a way of removing both oil and bacteria. Additionally, try mixing equal parts powdered oats to equal parts baking soda and putting it in your hair as a cheap, chemical-free version of dry shampoo.
At just $2 a bag, oats are a soothing addition to your beauty regime and your beauty budget. They can be readily purchased in any grocer, supermarket or health food store.
