For those of you who don’t know me personally I work at a high school in Toronto, Canada. While my days are spent editing papers and solving math problems like 2x +3 = -4 + 7 : solve for x (painful memories are surfacing, aren’t they!) – I also coach the girls rugby team. Today we had our very first tournament and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, it was 5 degrees all day and windy as a son of a gun!! Seriously, it was like being in tornado alley. Why am I telling you all of this? Stay with me folks, there is a point.

I got home from my crazy day outdoors and had a shower. Upon exiting my steamy bathroom I noticed that my skin was chapped and red. Now, I already suffer from very dry skin in the winter but the wicked winds and frigid temperatures were not my friends. So, I decided today would be the perfect day to give myself a homemade facial!

There are literally dozens of combinations you could use while making your concoction. And the best part is that everything you need can either be found in your kitchen or bathroom. Pretty great, right? I know! The following are just a few suggestions you can use to make your very own easy and inexpensive skin care products. Your epidermis will thank you!

You’re welcome for this fantastic picture of my facial in progress.

Dry Skin – You’re going to want to look for things that will add moisture to your skin. Also, to combat the flakiness that will surely come your way – remember to exfoliate with something gentle as not to damage the skin.

• Avocados
• olive oil
• yogurt (all-natural)
• papaya
• pumpkin

Oily Skin – Those of you with oily skin are going to want to look for thing with astringent properties – this will tighten your pores and reduce the amount of oil. Nothing too harsh though because irritated skin will just revolt against you and then you’ll have a whole different set of problems on your hands!

• lemon juice
• witch hazel
• peppermint
• egg whites
• buttermilk – I know, you’re thinking this is a typo but it’s true. The active cultures can tighten your pores.

Combination Skin – This is a tricky one because people with combination skin are often oily in their T-zone ( forehead, nose and chin) and dry everywhere else. You’ll most likely have to combine a few of the above products to come up with one that works for you.

• honey
• pineapple
• cucumber
• oats

For everyone -

• Remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is your best friend for moisturizing from the inside out!
• Don’t smoke – it ages you, sucks the life out of your skin and body and it’s gross
• Dry brush – exfoliating your skin is an excellent way to keep it silky smooth and young-looking! You’ll be oh so touchable.

Stacey’s Banana-Honey face mask:

1 ripe banana

2 tsps of honey

2 Vitamin E capsules broken open 

Mash together the ingredients until smooth. Apply to your face and let dry. Rinse off with warm water and follow-up with your favourite moisturizer – olive oil works great here!

Do you have a homemade skin care trick you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it. Leave a comment here, on Facebook @staceygreenliving or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest @staceygliving

High-five like you mean it!