How to Have a Healthy Complexion: 5 Steps with 5 Natural Skin Care Recipes

Our lovely faces are constantly under attack by everyday stress, heavy pollution, very little sleep, poor diet and maybe just a bit too much partying. Just a little bit of time spent taking care of our skin will keep it healthy.

Listed below are five basic steps to take to keep your face beautiful. Also listed below are very simple recipes you may want to try to go along with each of the five steps, as well as more additional tips for facial skin care.

Note: Always know your facial skin type - such as dry, oily or combination - so you can use the right products. Then do a patch test if you are applying the product to your face for the first time.

Five Steps for Basic Skin Care

1 - Cleansing -- done daily will get rid of all the day's dirt, excessive natural oils and any makeup

2 - Steaming -- done weekly will help open the pores in order to do a deep cleansing, while it also increases blood circulation

3 - A Face Mask -- done periodically, a face mask will help remove dirt and oils deep down in your pores. It will also help replenish essential vitamins and minerals.

4 - Toning -- gentle toning can be done daily to help tighten the pores and give you that even skin appearance

5 - Moisturizing -- daily moisturizing will help replenish lost moisture and also offer a protective coating against the harsh elements

Some Suggested Recipes for Each Step of Facial Care

1- A Cleanser -- for oily skin

Use a simple apple cider vinegar wash if your skin is oily - it quickly removes dirt

- 2 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar

- 2 tbsp distilled water

Mix ingredients together/ apply with a cotton ball/ then rinse in mild water and gently pat dry

2 - Steam Suggestion -- for skin that is acne prone and oily

Steam the face with lavender to normalize secretions of the sebaceous glands

- 6 drops of essential lavender oil

- 1 gallon nearly boiling water

In a large bowl filled with the nearly boiling water, add the essential oil/ drape a towel over your head and once you determine the water is not too hot, put your face over the bowl of water and oil - about 12 inches away. Steam for about 10 minutes, then gently pat your face dry.

3 - A Face Mask -- for all skin types use honey

Because honey is a natural humectant, it can attract and maintain moisture in your skin. The anti-oxidant properties of honey help protect skin from UV (ultra-violet) sun shine. Darker honey is more potent.

-- Organic honey

Always cleanse the face before doing any face mask. Next, warm the honey to make it more liquefied. Gently smooth it on your face and neck without pulling (I use my hands to have better control, but you can use a spatula)/ relax, leaving the mask on for about 15 minutes. Wash with warm water and then splash with cold. Pat dry.

If you are not going to use a toner now, then apply a moisturizer to seal in the moisture.

4 - Simple Toner -- (a favorite) this super easy green tea tonic is good for tired and aging skin

- 2 tsp loose green tea

- 1/2 cup water

Steep tea for 10 minutes and let cool. Apply with a cotton ball. This tonic is gentle enough to use daily. Store leftovers in the fridge and you'll have a cool refreshing summer skin tonic.

5 - Moisturizers -- Would you believe a particular margarine is an excellent moisturizer? Here are a few simple suggestions, including the margarine

a - Recipe for rose water and glycerin moisturizer

- 2 parts rose water

- 1 part glycerin

Mix together to create a lotion and apply nightly

Glycerin, like honey, is also a humectant and will attract moisture into your skin

b - One of my old favorites is a safflower margarine that I purchased at the health food store. It was made by Hain and sold in stick form. I never used it for anything else but as a skin moisturizer. And I was very pleased - even surprised at the good results.

I've since moved on to Shea butter which requires no refrigeration, keeps incredibly well, is better priced and has a multitude of uses and amazing healthy benefits.

c - My all around moisturizer of choice is Shea butter, which is not only excellent for moisturizing but also has many other healthy benefits. See the link below for more information

Note: Many cooking oils also work well to moisturize the face. This includes olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil and more. See link below about using cooking oils as massage oils and more.

Additional Tips for Skin Care

-- When doing a steam always cleanse your face first, be sure the water is not too hot and do it once a week for best results.

-- When doing a treatment on your face include your neck. The skin on your neck ages just like the skin on your face.

-- Certain areas of your face are more prone to lack moisture. Therefore, be sure to moisturize the areas above your upper lip and atop your cheekbones, but stay below the eye area.

-- Adding certain foods to your diet will help lubricate and heal your skin. Add foods with vitamin A; this includes carrots, pumpkin, spinach and cantaloupe. Foods with vitamin E will help improve elasticity. This includes eggs, broccoli and leafy greens.

Also see other links for simple beauty treatments that you make yourself: