SHARK TANK APPROVED 
By: Sassy Auburn
Recently, I wrote about how microbeads are now banned from beauty products. I highlighted that the ban should inspire redheads to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize in a more natural way because you never truly know what’s in most products.
It’s actually quite easy to make your own skincare products right at home; that will keep your sensitive skin clean, clear, bright and soft without any harsh chemicals. And, just about all of the natural ingredients can be found in a regular grocery store. And the cost? Much less expensive because we can do it ourselves!
Let’s take a look:
1. FACIAL CLEANSERS
Wakey Wakey Face Cleanser/Scrub:
2 oz. of a gentle, liquid cleanser
‘Redhead Friendly’ Favorites: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Ole Henriksen African Tea Foaming Cleanser, Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
1 tbsp. water
1 tsp. instant coffee
1 tsp. raw honey
½ tsp. virgin coconut oil
½ tsp. Vitamin E (or 4 capsules, squeezed out)
½ tsp. Bentonite clay*
Mix all ingredients in a small squeeze bottle that can be found in the travel section of most drugstores. You can pour the foaming cleanser right into the squeeze bottle. Gently shake to mix. Make sure to shake the bottle each time you use it as the ingredients will separate.
The cleanser can stay in the bathroom till gone, as no ingredients will spoil. The cleanser will deep clean your face; the caffeine in the coffee will stimulate blood flow, the honey will repair small cracks and tears around wrinkles, the coconut oil & Vitamin E will moisturize and the Bentonite Clay will remove toxins and promote healthy skin. Great for use morning and night.
++For light exfoliation, sprinkle a small amount of white or brown sugar into the cleanser after you add it to your hand. Use quickly as the sugars will begin to dissolve right away.++
*Bentonite Clay is a silky powder (light gray to white in color) that is aged volcanic ash. When used in beauty products, it is used to remove toxins from the skin and pulls in oxygen to help the cell renewal process. It can be purchased in small amounts from Etsy or Ebay.
Yummy Fresh Face Cleanser:
2 tbsp mashed, overripe banana (baby food bananas can work too)
1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
1 tsp. raw honey
1 tsp. heavy cream
½ tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
Mix all ingredients together. Rub mixture gently over your face, avoiding the eye area. Let set for a few minutes. Rinse completely with warm water. Use in the evening after cleansing. Put remaining mixture in a small air-tight container then keep the refrigerator to use again. Mixture will last a week when refrigerated. Use daily, morning and night.
Bananas are a great natural cleanser with softening agents, coconut oil replenishes moisture in the skin, raw honey repairs any unseeable skin cracks or damage, heavy cream is rich in natural fatty moisturizers, and cocoa powder is a very gentle exfoliant as well as a skin stimulant to increase blood flow.
FACE MASKS
Just Peachy:
1 jar natural organic peaches baby food (a very ripe natural peach could be pureed and used instead)
1 tsp. raw honey
1 tbsp. oatmeal powder
Mix all ingredients together till it becomes a light paste. Apply over entire face and let sit 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. Use in the evening after cleansing. Put remaining mixture in a small air-tight container then keep the refrigerator to use again. Mixture will last a week when kept refrigerated. Use 2-3 times a week in the evening after cleansing.
Mashed peaches are full of vitamins that are necessary for young-looking skin, raw honey will heal fine lines and cracks, and oatmeal powder will calm irritated skin.
Extra Hydration Mask:
1/4c real, canned pumpkin (NOT the pie filling mix)
1 tbsp. heavy cream
1 tbsp. virgin coconut oil
1 tsp. raw honey
Mix all ingredients till blended well. Apply over entire face and let sit 20-30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. Use in the evening after cleansing. Put remainder of mixture in a small air-tight container then keep the refrigerator to use again. Mixture will last a week when refrigerated. Use 2-3 times a week in the evening after cleansing.
Pumpkin is packed with anti-oxidants which fight dry skin and protect it from environmental damage, heavy cream is packed with natural fats to keep skin smooth, coconut oil seals in moisture, and raw honey heals surface skin damage.
BODY SCRUB
Almond Joyous Body Scrub:
1/4c. virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp. unsweetened powder cocoa
2 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tbsp. finely ground whole almonds
Take a handful of whole almonds and grind them finely in a Magic Bullet-type machine or a coffee grinder. Set aside 2 tbsp. and store the rest away in an air-tight container. Keep in refrigerator. Take the coconut oil, cocoa powder and heavy cream and stir till smooth. Fold in the 2 tbsp. ground almonds. While in the shower, wash with your preferred body wash. Afterwards, gently rub body scrub onto your skin in circular motions. Avoid the face and neck area. Let sit 5 minutes then rinse completely with warm water. BE CAREFUL–shower/tub may be slippery. Pat skin dry when finished. Store remainder in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
The coconut oil is a great way to hydrate your skin, cocoa powder will increase circulation, heavy cream will soften your skin with natural fats, and the ground almonds will gently exfoliate your body while depositing the almond’s natural oils to protect the skin from the environment while moisturizing.
LIP SCRUB
Sweet & Sassy Lip Scrub
1 tsp. virgin coconut oil
2 drops raw honey
2 drops Vitamin E oil
½ tsp. white sugar
Put all ingredients into a small makeup jar. Mix with a toothpick or coffee stirrer. Apply to lips when they feel chapped. Put on a thin layer then rub lips together like you are smoothing lipstick. Wipe excess sugar off gently. Apply a lip balm afterwards. Do this routine at least once a day during dry weather. Make an extra to keep in your purse or at work.
If you would like a bit of flavor, add a sprinkle of pre-sweetened drink mix like strawberry or grape Kool-Aid to the above recipe.
The coconut oil will add moisture, the raw honey and Vitamin E will help healing and the sugar will remove any dead skin. **If lips are cracked and sore, replace the Vitamin E with a small smear of A & D Ointment. It will help them heal faster**
ALLERGIES?
Something to know: if anyone is allergic to nuts and coconuts, and almonds are not an option, coconut oil can be replaced with olive oil and almonds can be replaced with coffee grounds.
SKIN TESTAMENT
When my skin was at its absolute worse about seven years ago, I threw out almost everything in my beauty cabinet because my skin broke out after using every item I owned. That’s when my research began. I needed gentle cleansers, masks and scrubs that contained ingredients that I knew I could use. Instead of researching every ingredient in each retail product, I decided to look into simple grocery store items that when combined gave me youthful skin without redness or sensitivity. Even now, I still look into new recipes with simple things that keep my fair, delicate skin in check. My skin changes frequently so you need to be aware of what you need and what is safe to use–ALWAYS.
Are you ready to be a chef for your skin? Get your ingredients together and whip up some sensitive skin treats that will keep you rocking it like a redhead!
Disclaimer: We encourage those to consult with their dermatologist before experimenting with any products or items that may cause irritations or further sensitivities.
Main Photo © How to be a Redhead
