Self Care with Citrus Fruits

When it comes to natural beauty and self care ingredients citrus is one of the most versatile and useful ones. Oranges, Lemons, Limes, and Grapefruits all can be used to freshen, energize and cleanse your skin and hair. And every part of these fragrant, slightly acidic fruits can be used. Citrus peels are rich in natural essential oils. Fresh or dried they are a welcome and aromatic addition to your favorite beauty recipe. The sweet and sour juices can also be used. Fresh citrus juice is high in citric acid. Citric acid kills bacteria on the skin and is naturally cleansing and exfoliating which helps keep your skin soft and healthy. Fresh citrus is easily found at your local market or farm stand or you may also be lucky enough to have a tree in your own backyard. Any way you slice them fresh citrus fruits are naturally beautiful. Here are some easy to do recipes you can create at home to treat your skin and hair. Enjoy!

Citrus Honey Bath Salts

These fragrant bath salts are easy to make and can be used as a relaxing bath soak to energize a tired body. Epsom salts and baking soda are both soothing to sore muscles and the honey and orange provide an uplifting scent to the mixture. These salts also make a welcome gift from your beauty kitchen. Save your citrus peels when eating fresh fruits.

Ingredients:

1 cup Epsom salts

1 /4 cup baking soda

1 /4 cup ground, dried orange peels (or your favorite citrus fruit)

½ teaspoon pure honey

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Pour into a clean container with a tight fitting lid. To use: Pour 1 /2 cup to 1 cup of bath salts into your tub under the running water. Soak in the warm water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Yield: 12 ounces

Almond and Orange Facial Cleanser

This is a fresh cleanser that is easy to mix up and can be used by all skin types. It will help cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells and other surface impurities. Leaving you with cleaner and healthier skin.

Ingredients:

1 /4 cup dried, ground orange peels

1 /4 cup finely ground almonds

1 /2 cup finely ground oats or oat flour

Directions:

Mix together the orange peels, almonds and oats and pour into a clean dry container. To use: Place a small amount of the cleanser in the palm of your hand and add some water to make a paste. Massage this mixture into your face and neck and rinse well with warm water followed by a cool water rinse.

Yield: 8 ounces

Texas Ruby Red Cleanser

Ruby red grapefruits are the state fruit of Texas, they are big, sweet and a gorgeous deep pink color. This cleanser recipe is perfect for oily skin types because the grapefruit juice makes it mildly astringent. Like all citrus fruits grapefruits contain citric acid a natural cleanser and exfoliant.

Ingredients:

Peel from one grapefruit

1 /2 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

1 /2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together in a heat resistant container. Heat for gently in the microwave or stovetop until very hot but not boiling. Heat releases the essential oils from the peels. Let the mixture cool completely and strain out all of the grapefruit peels. Pour into a clean container and store in a cool, dry, dark spot. To use: Massage into your skin to cleanse instead in place of soap.

Yield: 4 ounces

Citrus Deodorant

Citrus fruits have a fresh clean scent and make perfect natural deodorants. The juice is mildly astringent and also has antibacterial properties. Bergamot essential oil can be found in many natural food shops. Bergamot essential oil comes from the inner rind of the bergamot orange. It is a popular ingredient in perfumes and colognes.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon citrus zest (the colored part of the peel)

1 /4 cup water

1 /4 cup witch hazel

1 teaspoon liquid chlorophyll

3 drops essential oil of bergamot

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients in a ceramic bowl or glass container. Let the mixture sit for one day, then strain off the liquid and discard the zest. Pour into a clean container or spray bottle. To use: Spray under your arms or use a clean cotton pad to apply.

Yield: 4 ounces

Citrus Dry Perfume

Dry perfumes are an ancient beauty secret that comes from Egypt. Women would carry their own personal scents in small pouches attached to their waist. Dry perfumes are more intense than powders, and can be used in place of perfume to scent your skin and hair. This citrus perfume is fresh and light perfect for summer wear.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon orrisroot powder

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon dried orange peel (or your favorite citrus peel)

2 drops essential oil of lemon

2 drops essential oil of bergamot

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients. Place the mixture in a food processor, blender or coffee grinder and process until you have a smooth fine powder. Place in a clean container with a tight fitting lid. To use: rub a small amount of this scented powder on your skin and pulse point.

Yield: 1 ounce

Simply Beautiful

Here are a few easy tips that use citrus for beautiful skin and hair:

· Soak your fingernails in lemon or orange water for 10 minutes, then rinse well. This will strengthen and brighten them. Especially helpful after gardening to get your nails really clean.

· Lemon juice can guard against dandruff. First massage a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice into your scalp and shampoo and usual. Follow up with a hair rinse made from 2 cups water and 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice.

· Apply lemon juice to blackheads and breakouts using a clean cotton swab in the evening before going to bed. In the morning wash your face as you would normally.

· To freshen your breath and clean your teeth. Take a piece of lemon or lime peel and rub the inside of it over your teeth and gums.

· Soften rough elbows by rubbing them with some fresh lemon, orange and grapefruit. Rinse well and then massage in a rich natural oil such as olive or sesame.

· When giving yourself a home pedicure add a half-cup of fresh lemon juice to your foot soak to soften and remove rough skin. Rub with a pumice stone for super soft feet.

· Mix up a pitcher of lemon water and sip throughout the day to hydrate your body from the inside. The lemon helps rid your body of toxins.

· Float fresh citrus slices in a warm bath for an energizing soak.

Drying Citrus Peels

After juicing or eating a fresh piece of fruit save the peels to add to your favorite beauty recipes. Simple cut up the peels and lay on a clean platter or cookie sheet in a warm location. When the peels feel dry to the touch. Grind them with a food processor or coffee grinder until you have a coarse meal. Label and store the dried peels in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark location. Orange, lemon and Grapefruit peels all dry extremely easily at home. One tip after using your coffee grinder or food processor to clean the blades – grind a small amount of white rice. The rice will absorb all the essential oils left behind by the peels. You can also dry slices of citrus using an oven or food dehydrator set to 125 degrees.

For more recipes and idea look inside "Natural Beauty for All Seasons"

You are beautiful!

xoxo Janice