Breakfast Inspired Beauty

Good morning! Did you know that you have all the ingredients you need for healthy skin and hair at your morning breakfast table? That is right breakfast is the most important meal of the day for your body, and it can also help keep your skin and hair looking great as well. Many of the common foods we like to enjoy at the start of the day can also be used to cleanse, tone, and treat your skin and hair. Think of it as a spa right inside your kitchen cupboards. Everyday foods such as oatmeal, eggs, coffee, honey, and yogurt have been used for years for beauty. It started out of necessity but has continued because these all-natural beauty foods are so effective. Many of these treatments and recipes such as cleansing your face with oatmeal or using maple syrup to condition dry hair were used in your grandparent’s day. Today many popular commercial brands also incorporate these ingredients in their products. We have seen whole lines of cosmetic products designed such ordinary things as honey, oatmeal, or milk. Here are some recipes for you to enjoy in your own home. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cleanser

We all love oatmeal as a breakfast grain, but it is also an effective skin cleanser than many people use in place of soap. It is especially well suited for people with sensitive skin as it is gentle and mild. You can save some cooked oatmeal from your morning breakfast or create this cleanser any time you want. Make sure to use the whole oats as not only are they less expensive but also better for your skin than the chopped up quick cooking oats.

Yield: 8 ounces

1-cup warm water

1 /2 cup whole oats

1 Tablespoon pure honey

Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Place in an airtight container (for longer shelf-life store in the refrigerator). To use:  Place a small amount in the palm of your hand and gently massage into your skin. Rinse well with tepid water and pat your skin dry.

Half a Grapefruit Cleanser

Grapefruit has a unique and energizing scent that is better than a cup of coffee for getting your entire system going. This cleanser is perfect for oily skin types because the grapefruit juice makes it mildly astringent. This is because like all citrus fruit grapefruits have citric acid. Any citrus fruit could be used in this recipe in place of the grapefruit.

Yield: 3 ounces

Peel from half a grapefruit

1 /4 cup light olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave safe container. Heat for one minute to help release all the essential oils from the grapefruit peel. Let the mixture cool completely and then strain out all the peel. Pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. To use:  Use as you would any liquid cleanser to cleanser your skin.

Coffee Body Scrub

Coffee, which has caffeine, is known for being an ingredient that will boost your circulation. This scrub recipe will not only energize your body, but it also acts as an exfoliator ridding your skin of surface impurities making it soft and smooth. If you do not have sea salt in your kitchen cupboard not to worry you can easily substitute kosher or table salt in the recipe. You may use fresh ground coffee or if you usually brew a pot of coffee in the morning simply use the grounds.

Yield: 16 ounces

1 cup freshly ground coffee

 1 /2 cup brown sugar

1 /2 cup sea salt or kosher salt

1 /2 cup almond oil

Mix the coffee, sugar, and salt together, then pour in the almond oil and stir until well mixed. Spoon the scrub into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in a cool, dry, dark spot, where it will keep for about a month. To use:  In the shower or tub, massage into clean skin in a circular motion, focusing on your rough skin spots or sore muscles. Massage your arms and legs with strong, flowing strokes and avoid sensitive skin areas for at least 5 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Fresh Orange Toner

This toner is fresh squeezed and perfect for all complexion types. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for healthy skin. The peel of the orange and other citrus fruits has the essential oils. If you gently bend the peel backwards you will see it release this fragrant oil into the air.

1 Tablespoon fresh orange juice

2 cups boiling water

Peel from one orange

(Use a zester or sharp knife and remove orange part of peel)

1 Tablespoon witch hazel

Place the orange juice and peel in a ceramic or glass bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and let cool completely. Strain the mixture and remove the orange peel.   Stir in the witch hazel. Pour the mixture into a clean container. To use: Apply to your skin using a clean cotton pad after cleansing.

Yield: 4 ounces

Greek Yogurt Body Treatment

Greek yogurt has gained popularity as a breakfast staple and can now be found in most grocery stores. You can also substitute sour cream in this recipe if you have that on hand. This full body mask helps cleanse and soften your skin and can be used by all skin types. Be careful when applying, as it can be a bit slippery so you may want to stand on a bathmat or towel.

Yield: 16 ounces

2 cups Greek yogurt

1 Tablespoon wheat germ

1 Tablespoon light oils such as almond or sesame

1 Tablespoon pure honey

Mix all ingredients until smooth.  To use:  Slather all over your body, including the hair, and massage well. Rinse your body in a warm shower followed by a cool rinse.

Egg Shampoo

Using whole eggs to cleanse your hair is a very old-fashioned practice. You just must be careful when using to not use too hot of water or you may end up with scrambled eggs in your hair. Using eggs as a shampoo and conditioner gives your hair extra body and shine.

Yield: 1 ounce, one application

1 raw egg

1 Tablespoon gentle shampoo or castile soap

Mix the raw egg and the shampoo. To use:  Shampoo your hair as you would normally, using cool water. Rinse well for at least one minute.

Cantaloupe Hair Conditioner

Melons make wonderful light non-greasy hair conditioners which is especially well suited for oily hair types. They will clean your scalp and help rid it of dead skin cells and styling product residue.

Yield: 4 ounces, one treatment

1 /2 cup finely chopped cantaloupe

1-teaspoon pure honey

2-3 drops essential oil of peppermint (optional)

In a blender or food processor, blend the cantaloupe with a bit of honey until you have a smooth mixture, add the essential oil, and stir well.  To use: Massage the melon mixture into your scalp and through your hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse well with warm to cool water.

Breakfast Ingredients for Beauty

Here are a few simpler one step treatments using ingredients you may have sitting on your breakfast table or in your kitchen cupboards.

Banana Hair Mask – For dry over processed hair, mash an overripe banana and use as a hair conditioner. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse well.

Strawberry Facial – Fresh strawberries are rich in salicylic acid and work wonders on troubled skin. Simply mash fresh berries and apply as a facial mask. Let the mixture sit on your skin for 10 minutes then rise well with cool water.

Maple Syrup Hair Conditioner – Like honey maple syrup is a natural humectant and can help treat dry hair when used as a hair conditioner. It goes on a bit sticky but rinses out easily and leaves your hair soft and smooth.

Milk Bath – This is a classic that dates to Cleopatra’s time. Simply pour 2 -3 cups of whole milk into your bath and soak.  You may want to rinse after bathing so that the milk does not spoil on your skin, but it will leave your skin silky smooth.

Tea Toner – For a simple and easy skin toner brew up a cup of strong black or green tea. Tea is rich in antioxidants and will help keep your skin healthy and restore natural pH levels after washing.

For more recipes, beauty tips and ideas check out my latest “Natural Beauty Handbook”