Natural Beauty with Tomatoes

Studies have shown that tomato consumption has been associated with decreased risk of various cancers including breast cancer, and a warrior against heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Tomatoes contain lycopene which is known as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, and which has been shown to improve the skin's ability to protect against the harmful effects of UV rays. The natural acids in tomatoes helps balance the skin and get rid of excess oil. Their vitamin content also proves beneficial skin in helping to repair and brighten dull damaged skin. For these reasons, tomatoes are a terrific ingredient to use in our kitchen-makeovers.

For acne skin, rub a tomato over the affected areas of the skin and let the juices set for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. The juice of the tomato has an astringent-like property that helps fight bacteria. This should be done at least 3 times a week.

If you have combination skin with acne, try a tomato, mint, and honey mask. You will need 1 tomato, ¼ cup of fresh mint, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mash the tomato into a  pulp. Chop the mint leaves and add to the tomato pulp. Lastly, fold the honey into the pulp and mint mixture and apply to the skin, leave on for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse with cool water. The juice from the tomato pulp will help to fight the bacteria and the honey will help to seal in moisture. This mask should also be applied at least 3 times a week in order for you to see the benefits.

If you have large pores, try a tomato and lime mask to diminish the appearance of your pores. You will need 1/2 tomato, and 1 small lime. Mash the tomato into a pulp. Squeeze the lime juice into the pulp and apply to the skin, leave on for 15 - 20 minutes, and rinse with warm water. This mask is also useful to get rid of, and prevent, blackheads.

If you have oily skin, try a tomato and avocado mask. You will need 1 tomato and 1 small avocado. Mash the two together creating a thick paste. Apply the paste onto your skin, leave on for 20 - 30 minutes, and rinse with cool water.

For irritated or sun-burned skin, try a tomato and yogurt mask. You will need ½ tomato and 1/4 cup of plain yogurt. Dice the tomato and blend with the yogurt. Place in the refrigerator for 2 – 3  minutes. Once cooled, pat the mixture onto your face, gently massaging as you go along and be sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. This will cool your skin and leave it looking bright and feeling soft.

For a soothing and overall skin brightening experience, draw yourself a tomato and buttermilk bath. You will need 4 cups of buttermilk and 3 tomatoes. Strain the juice of the three tomatoes and mix with the buttermilk. Add the mixture to your bathwater and relax as the buttermilk soothes your skin and the tomato juice repairs and brightens your skin. Be sure to rinse with warm water and apply your favorite overall body lotion afterwards.

Remember, Pretty Girls’ Pantry always loves to hear your feedback about your experience with our pantry makeovers, or answer any questions, so E-mail us at prettygirlspantry@gmail.com and let us know. In the meantime, don’t forget to check back with us next week for another installment of natural beauty fixes straight from your pantry.

Natural Beauty with Lemons

Lemons are high in Vitamin C. As we learned last week, Vitamin C is vital in the defense against free radicals. Because of the Vitamin C content and because of their natural fruit acids, lemons can be used to help refresh and rejuvenate your skin.

The fruit acids found in lemons can help to eradicate dead cells from the skin. It is for this reason that lemons can be used to help “lighten” darker patches of skin. It’s important to remember that we all have differing levels of skin sensitivity, and while some of the recipes may not cause dryness or reactions to your skin, the Pretty Girls’ Pantry highly recommend doing a patch test before applying the solutions completely onto your skin. The acids in lemon have been known to have a bleaching effect when combined with exposure to the sun. We recommend that all of these solutions be applied in the evening when the skin will not be exposed to sun light.

For dry hands and feet, try a lemon and brown sugar exfoliating scrub. You will need 2 whole lemons, and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Squeeze the juice from the lemons and combine with the brown sugar. Apply vigorously over hands or feet. Rinse with warm water and apply a lotion. We at Pretty Girls’ Pantry prefer a peppermint lotion to help invigorate the skin. You should do this once a week to keep your hands and feet feeling and looking soft.

If the skin on your knees, elbows, and the back of your heels are dark or rough, try a lemon, honey, and olive oil mask. You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon, mix it with the olive oil and honey and apply to those patches of skin. Leave the mask for 10 -15 minutes with warm water. Remember lemon causes photosensitivity; so do this in the evening or do not expose yourself to the sun for a few hours after the treatment.

You may have noticed when you use some nail polish that your nails develop a yellow stain. To remove that stain use a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse and apply lotion.

For oily skin try a banana honey and lemon mask. You will need 1 banana, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 lemon. Mash up the banana, add the honey and then squeeze the lemon over the mixture. Apply over your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This will lock in the natural moisture while banishing the excess oil.

For skin with blemishes, try a lemon yogurt mask. You will need 1 lemon and 1 cup of plain yogurt. Squeeze the lemon juice into the yogurt and mix it thoroughly. After you’ve mixed it, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Then apply to your face and leave on for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse with water.

Finally, for overall oil control, toxin release, and as a breath refresher drink water with lemon throughout the day.

Remember, Pretty Girls’ Pantry always loves to hear your feedback about your experience with our pantry makeovers, or answer any questions, so E-mail us at prettygirlspantry@gmail.com and let us know. In the meantime, don’t forget to check back with us next week for another installment of natural beauty fixes straight from your pantry.

Natural Beauty with Strawberries

Strawberries contain a range of nutrients, including vitamin C. They also contain phytonutrients and antioxidants, which fight free radicals. In terms of skin care this is excellent news because free radicals may lead to cell damage which can result in premature aging. Strawberries have a purifying effect which makes the fruit versatile in its use. This week, we’ll discuss various methods of using strawberries and other all natural ingredients to enhance our beauty.

If you have acne or oily skin, try a strawberry yogurt mask. To obtain the full benefits, don’t buy strawberry yogurt, use fresh strawberries to make the mask. You will need ¼ cup of fresh sliced strawberries and ¼ of plain yogurt. Take some of the strawberries and mash them up, then fold them into the yogurt. Take the remaining strawberry slices and also fold them into the mixture. Place in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 minutes. Once cooled, pat the mixture onto your face, gently massaging as you go along and be sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. This will leave your skin looking bright and feeling soft.

For normal skin try a strawberry, almond and honey mask. You will need ¼ fresh strawberry slices, ¼ unsalted ground almonds, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mash the strawberries, and then add the almonds and honey. Pat the mixture onto your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. This will leave your skin looking bright and feeling soft.

To tighten and tone your skin, try a strawberry, coffee, and honey mask. You will need 5 or 6 medium sized strawberries, 1 tablespoon of espresso coffee grinds, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mash up the strawberries until they are smooth, because of the quantity of strawberries for this recipe, you can mash them up in a blender until they are smooth. Then add the coffee and honey. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 minutes. Once cooled, pat the mixture onto your face, gently massaging as you go along and be sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

For a brightening facial wash, try a strawberry and almond facial scrub. You will need ¼ fresh strawberry slices, ¼ unsalted ground almonds, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mash the strawberries, and the baking soda creating a paste, and then add the almonds. Splash some warm water onto your face, then take the paste and gently rub onto your face as you would any other facial scrub, and rinse with warm water. This will leave your skin looking bright and feeling supple.

Strawberries can also help take care of our hands and feet. For a foot and hand scrub you will need 6-8 strawberries, 2 tablespoons of olive, and one teaspoon of sea-salt. Mash the strawberries and then add the oil and salt, making a paste. Massage the paste onto the feet your feet or hands, rubbing vigorously go along. Pay special attention to the areas where you’re prone to calluses. Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Lastly, strawberries can also be used to remove stains from your teeth. You will need 1 fresh strawberry and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Mash the strawberry and mix-in the baking soda. Use your toothbrush or your finger to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave on for 5 minutes, and then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the strawberry paste. This should be used once a week; if you have sensitive teeth, once every other week.

Remember, Pretty Girls’ Pantry always loves to hear your feedback about your experience with our pantry makeovers, or answer any questions, so E-mail us at prettygirlspantry@gmail.com . In the meantime, don’t forget to check back with us next week for another installment of natural beauty fixes straight from your pantry.