![Traditonal Skin Care Recipes the French Way](https://www.srjnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Traditonal-Skin-Care-Recipes-the-French-Way.jpg)
At a time when salons and pharmacies offer luxurious and advanced products, natural beauty recipes passed down from our ancestors nevertheless play a significant part in our appearance and well being.
French Traditions for Natural Skin Care
Reaching into the refrigerator or pantry to grab an egg or some honey for a quick facial mask may feel old-fashioned in America, but the French customarily engage in these simple beauty pleasures. French women typically favor simplicity and all things natural especially in their beauty regime. Easy, pure ingredients like lavender, milk, honey, eggs, sweet almond oil, or vinegar are a few of the typical components needed to whip up a quick remedy for fresh skin.
There are many beautiful French skin care labels such as Chanel, Avene, and L’Occitane that make very effective products but can be quite expensive. However, everyone’s budget can afford clean, soft, conditioned skin with natural homemade skin products. The beauty recipes given below are some of the veiled secrets of French women that have been used for many generations.
Ingredient List for Homemade Skin Care Recipes
Milk
Honey
Eggs
Yogurt
White wine
Almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil
Cider vinegar
Dried thyme, dried rosemary
Aloe vera
Rosemary oil or essence
Lavender oil or essence
Green tea
Almond meal
Basic Cleansing
Use coconut or olive oil to remove all dirt and make-up. Use about a tablespoon to gently massage oil on all quadrants of the face. Take a steamed wash cloth (place under very hot water and wring out) to remove oil from face. Do a final rinse with very warm water and clean damp cloth to remove all make-up and dirt.
Deep Cleansing Choose one or two of the following.
For oily skin: Mix 1/4 c of honey, 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil, and 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Apply mixture to cover all quadrants of the face (honey has antiseptic properties that will clean and control oily skin). Massage gently with finger tips. Rinse with clean water and follow with witch hazel or vinegar toner (recipe below).
For extra dry skin: Mix 1/2 c plain yogurt with 3 drops of almond oil. Apply to all quadrants of the face and massage gently. Rinse with clean water.
For normal skin: Whisk an egg yolk with one tablespoon of milk. Apply to face evenly. This will thoroughly clean and leave the skin smooth and silky.
Basic scrub for all skin types: Mix almond meal, olive oil, and a drop of honey until it forms a paste. Apply to all quadrants of the face and massage gently. Rinse with warm water and remove excess with soft, warm damp cloth.
Toning Choose one of the following according to your skin type.
Toner for normal to oily skin: Mix 1/4 c cider vinegar with two drops of lavender or rosemary oil. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Saturate a cotton ball and apply to face. Rinse with cool to cold water and pat dry. To help diminish brown spots, add cucumber puree to mixture.
Toner for normal to dry skin: Steep one green tea bag into 1 c boiling milk; let it stand for 5 minutes. After it has cooled, apply toner with cotton ball. Rinse with with cool water.
Toner for sensitive skin: Mix 1/2 c cucumber puree with one tablespoon of milk. Massage on skin and let rest for up to 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.
Toner to revitalize tired skin (not recommended for very dry or sensitive skin types): Boil 1c white wine with all the following herbs: 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, 1 bay leaf. Let steep for 1 hour. Apply cooled mixture to face with cotton ball. Rinse with cool water. Store remaining mixture in refrigerator.
Anti-aging Moisturizers
Moisture Cream for Dry or Sensitive skin: Mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil until a well blended consistency is formed. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera extract (or use two aloe leaves and scrape the gel off into the oil mixture) and thoroughly mix. Apply a small amount to cleansed face each morning and evening. Store unused portion in glass jar and place in refrigerator. Make small batches at a time to prevent spoiling.
Night oil for Normal skin: Heat 1/2 c olive oil and add 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary. Let mixture steep for 1 hour. Strain, olive oil to rid any herbal debris. Mix the olive oil and rosemary mixture with 1 teaspoon of almond oil until well blended. Apply minimal amount of oil to face every night. Store unused portion in a glass bottle and place in refrigerator.
Night oil for Oily skin: Mix 1/4 c almond oil and 1/4 c jojoba oil with 3 drops of rose essential oil. Apply sparingly to face each night. Store unused portion in glass bottle and place in refrigerator. Shelf life is 2-3 months.
Lifestyle
While creams and cleansers made from the best ingredients will help enhance and improve your skin, plenty of rest and a balanced diet that is free from preservatives and low in sugar are essential to feeling and looking youthful. It is believed that a diet rich in salmon and greens (romaine lettuce and watercress) eaten for three consecutive days will make your skin glow, your hair shine, and your eyes sparkle!