You can use this fresh aloe to soothe minor cuts and burns, including sunburn. It is also an ingredient in my Orange Blossom Face Lotion (recipe coming soon).
Edit: I realize that I should have mentioned that some aloe plants can smell like onion. For more on this topic, check out the comments.
Olive oil has many wonderful uses outside of the culinary world. In my new series, “The Many Uses of Olive Oil”, I’ll share some great alternative uses that you may not have considered before. Let’s start with some basic uses…no mixing, no blending, no fuss required!
I like to keep a small bottle of olive oil (ideally pure olive oil, not extra-virgin or virgin) next to my bathroom sink, to make application easier. As you’re getting ready for bed, give each of these a try.
Cuticle Moisturizer
Shake the open olive oil bottle with your finger over the bottle’s opening, this will get enough olive oil on the tip of your finger to apply to your cuticles. Repeat until you’ve massaged some olive oil into each cuticle, that’s it! This will keep your nail beds healthy and prevent dry, cracked cuticles.
Lip Balm
Once you’ve got some olive oil on your finger tip, just apply it to your lips as well…they’ll thank you for it!
Deep Moisturizer for Eyes
Use your ring finger for this application, as it is the weakest finger and the skin around your eyes is very delicate. Gently dab a small amount of olive oil beneath your lash line. Then starting at the outside corner of your eye (remember to use your ring finger), gently move your finger under the lash line to the inner corner of your eye, then up into the crease above your eye. Try not to apply directly along the upper lash line, it’s an easy way to get olive oil in your eye (ouch). The natural oils in your skin, will mingle with the oil you rubbed into the crease of your eye and this process will moisturize the lid of your eye, up to the lash line. Continue to gently massage the oil around your eye in this clockwise circle until you’ve rubbed a thin layer all the way around. No additional eye moisturizer required.
Rub any extra olive oil into your hands and have a good nights sleep!
Additional Information
– Olive oil is great for every skin type, especially for those with dry or allergy prone skin.
– Olive oil won’t clog your pores.
– It seems counter intuitive but olive oil is very beneficial to those with oily and acne prone skin.
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It’s a bonus week for Sundays Homemade! Now that you’ve brewed your own Herbal Floral Water, you’ve got a bi-product that shouldn’t be lost down the drain. Turn it into an all-natural, pH balancing facial toner that’s great for all skin types, especially combination and acne prone skin.
You’ll Need:
*If you haven’t made the Herbal Floral Water and would like to make this toner: simmer herbs (see herbal floral water for suggested herbs) in distilled water for 1-2 hours, then follow the steps below.
I like to pour some of the final mixture into a container with a smaller opening than the mason jar, making it easier to wet a cloth or cotton pad, for application. The vinegar will act as a preservative, so the smaller batch does not need to be refrigerated; however, I do like to store the remaining mixture in the refrigerator.
DIY: Brewing Herbal Floral Water
(Scroll down to view a video version of these instructions)
Growing up, I always adored shelves filled with bottles of potions, lotions and brews. I’ve always been drawn to cabinets lined with jars of herbs, colorful glass bottles, cork stoppers and wooden spoons. Now I am the proud owner of many of these things and there is nothing I enjoy more than creating a new home brew on a rainy Sunday morning.
On this drizzly Sunday morning, I bring you a recipe for a fragrant and oh-so-useful herbal floral water. This water can be used alone as a facial toner, astringent or aftershave, or mixed with additional ingredients to create customized, all natural skin care products.
I like to use the following herbs for my herbal floral water:
