Cosette's Beauty Pantry

Hello everyone! Yesterday I posted a recipe for a DIY acne-fighting gel and today I want to share another acne-fighting beauty recipe with you.   For this DIY you will need two key ingredients; a lemon and a tomato .   Ingredients: 1 ripe tomato 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp oatmeal (optional) Lemons are full of AHA’s and BHA’s which remove dead skin cells, fight acne, minimize pores and brighten skin.   Back in November of 2011, I posted an article titled:  Lemons for clear skin ; in which I wrote about the countless benefits of lemons.  Make sure you read it for more information.   Tomatoes have cooling and astringent properties.  They’re also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A .  Their acidity helps tame excessive oil production too. Oatmeal helps reduce itching and inflammation and can be used to calm acne, eczema and heal psoriasis . Method: Mash the peeled tomato in a bowl.  Add the lemon juice (and oatmeal) and mix everything

Hello everyone! A vegan diet contributes towards a youthful appearance and lifestyle and healthy skin are definitely  linked.  However, that doesn't mean that vegans don't need to use anti-ageing products.  Today I want to share the recipe for my favourite anti-ageing vegan mask with you. If you are looking for a really effective mask that delivers immediate results, look no further! Ingredients : 1 tsp organic quinoa flour 1 bag of white tea 1 tbsp mashed banana Quinoa  contains vitamin A, which smooths out the skin and fade dark spots.   It also contains lysine, a key building block in the synthesis of elastin and collagen . White tea  is packed with antioxidants that will help your skin fight the aging factors.   The mashed banana will moisturize and hydrate your tired skin, and the B vitamins will protect it against free radicals.  Additionally, bananas also contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and zinc – all these are amazing for age

Hello everyone! When you think cranberries , you probably think of cranberry sauce side dishes.   But, what you should be thinking about is skincare!   Rich in antioxidants  and vitamin C , cranberries are considered a  superfood .  Cranberries are also great when applied topically to help ward off wrinkles , reduce redness and prevent signs of skin damage . To bring the benefits of cranberries to your skin, whip up this easy anti-ageing facial mask.  Here's the recipe... Ingredients: 5 cranberries 1 tsp raw honey 3 drops apple cider vinegar a dash of freshly ground cinnamon 4 drops of  Aloe juice Method: Blend the cranberries to a pulp.  Mix in all other ingredients thoroughly.  Apply to face and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  I hope you are enjoying the autumn-inspired DIY beauty recipes I've been posting. 

Hello everyone! Autumn is finally here!   I LOVE Autumn - It's my second favourite time of the year (after Christmas). I love the weather, vegan hot chocolate, cosy sweaters, and of course, Halloween. Autumn is also the season of pumpkin everything ! Pumpkin is packed with alpha-hydroxy acids that help with cell turnover and rapid exfoliation. This makes it the perfect ingredient for a DIY scrub . Here's the recipe!  Ingredients: 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon jojoba, almond or olive oil 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Apply to dry skin - Take a warm bath, towel dry, scrub, and then rinse off. This scrub is perfect to brighten skin and get rid of any rough areas on the body. If you love pumpkin and cinnamon, check out the similar posts linked below! What's your favourite time of the year? Similar posts: DIY: Pumpkin facial mask DIY: Honey

Hello everyone! You’ve probably seen people relaxing with cucumber slices over their eyes.  Well, this is done because cucumber can help heal various skin problems.   Cucumbers , are full of antioxidants and  vitamins ,  and have properties that soothe and soften the skin .   For an easy  do-it-yourself  skin treatment, just reach into your refrigerator and pull out a cucumber.   Cucumbers can be used to : Fade dark circles Reduce puffy eyes Fade freckles Improve complexion Treat a sunburn Tighten open pores Banish cellulite Check out the beauty recipes  in infographic below! Via Beauty Secrets Revealed Eating cucumbers   is also associated with a healthy complexion in general.  If you do try any of these DIY treatments, let me know how they work for you! Related posts: Raw potato skincare?! The beauty benefits of ice Natural remedies for dark eye circles SOS - Sunburn DIY: Anti-cellulite scrub

Hello everyone! Today's post is dedicated to the sweetest skin-loving ingredient, and one of my personal  favourites ; honey ! Honey does not only have numerous health benefits , it has also been used for centuries as a natural beauty product . Honey is...   Naturally   antibacterial , so it's great for   acne   treatment and prevention. Full of   antioxidants , it is great for slowing down   ageing . Extremely   moisturising   and soothing. Check out these blog posts to learn more/view additional   DIY beauty recipes using  honey : DIY: Honey facial DIY: Milk and honey hair mask DIY: Yummy facial scrub/mask DIY: Greek yoghurt, oatmeal and honey facial mask Tip:  Always use   pure   raw honey . And for more recipes, check out this i nfographic by   Beauty Secrets Revealed:   12 amazing beauty benefits of honey . From Visually . Is raw honey part of your beauty regime?   Similar post: Coconut craze

Hello everyone! Today's post is a simple recipe for translucent face powder !  Not only is it easy to make, but it also gives your skin a break from all the toxins and chemicals found in commercial face powders!  The ingredients are items that you probably  already  have in your kitchen. This powder is very effective at mattifying the skin and setting your make-up and because it’s made with skin-loving ingredients, it will also nourish your skin !   Here’s how you make it: Ingredients: Arrowroot powder : this powder is made from dehydrated and ground arrowroot, which is known to have skin-smoothing effects.   Corn flour ( cornstarch ): absorbs excess oil, helping to give your skin a matte finish Cocoa powder : has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to firm and renew your skin All three ingredients can be found at the cooking and baking supply section at the store! Method: Combine 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and 2 te

Hello everyone! After a long  hiatus , I'm back with another natural DIY beauty  recipe . Watermelon isn't just a sweet summer treat; it makes a great ingredient for a DIY toner  too.  Watermelon   can be used both internally and externally for its beauty benefits.  It can benefit both the skin and the whole body with its vitamins and nutrients.    Watermelon can act as an exfoliant and will cleanse and tone your skin as well.   Watermelons could just be nature's perfect skin care product. Ingredients: ½   cup watermelon 1 tablespoon witch hazel   1 tablespoon distilled water Method: Blend the watermelon in a food processor or blender ( including seeds ), until smooth. Pour the watermelon puree in a bowl, add the witch hazel and water , and mix well. Pour the mixture into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.  Before applying the watermelon toner to your face, first test it on your inner arm .  Pull your hair away from your

Hello everyone! Most cleansers contain chemicals that can be harsh especially on  sensitive skin .  They strip away moisture from the skin making it dry or flaky.  If you have oily skin and use harsh cleansers, it will cause the oil glands to produce more sebum , making your face oilier.  Did you know that oil can be used for facial cleansing?  Oil cleansing can be used on all skin types and it is very beneficial to oily/acne prone skin.  It may sound strange to use oil on oily skin but in reality oil reduces sebum (oil) production and balances moisture.  If you’re suffering from acne, this method can work wonders for your skin.  The oil cleansing method can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne.   It also leaves your skin healthy, balanced and  moisturised . So what oil/s should you use? Some people use a mixture of oil is used like; castor oil, olive oil, grape seed o

Indulging in a chocolate facial mask is a luxurious experience that can nourish your senses and your skin simultaneously! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants , vitamins and minerals .   It contains Vitamins A, B-complex, D and E, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc (promotes cell growth and repairs tissue).  Cocoa is also a rich source of   sulphur ( sulfur) , a necessary mineral for healthy skin.   All this make dark chocolate an excellent ingredient for a facial mask. Ingredients: 2 pieces of dark chocolate bar 2/3 cup of coconut milk (also full of antioxidants and is antibacterial in nature) 1 tablespoon sea salt Method: Melt the dark chocolate. Pour the coconut milk into a small bowl and add the sea salt.  Stir until the salt dissolves. Add the milk and salt to the chocolate and stir thoroughly.   Allow the mixture to cool to a comfortable temperature (not harden). Apply the mask to face and neck and allow it to set for about 20

Bananas are amongst the top five most nutritious fruits.  They contain large amounts of magnesium , potassium , iron , zinc , iodine and vitamin A , B , E and F .  Banana peels also contain antioxidants and plenty of potassium .  If you have skin problems such as; acne , psoriasis , warts or poison ivy , this post is for you. Eat a banana, and save the peel.  Make sure that the peel is yellow/black and not green.  When it has a yellow/black mix it is usually most effective. Acne Rub the inside of the banana peel over your acne and it should improve within a few days.   The inside part of the peel decays into black colour as you rub it on, and you should throw away the banana peel once it is completely black.  You should continue to do this for at least 10 minutes. Do not wash your face after rubbing .  This is very important.  Leave it on as much as possible.  I recommend applying it at night and washing it off in the morning. Use it every day.

Hello everyone! Did you know that, besides being a tasty side dish, the potato is also an excellent skincare ingredient? Here is why: The potato is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.   Vitamin C and B complex and minerals   like   Potassium ,   Magnesium , Phosphorus   and   Zinc are very beneficial for the skin and can all be found in raw potato.  The enzymes present in the pulp of raw potatoes are also good for the skin.   In addition, raw potato contains acids that have antibacterial properties. Raw potatoes can be used to:           control and prevent acne ; pimples and blackheads           fade scars           soothe  inflammation           treat under eye bags and dark eye circles           reduce swelling           cleanse excess oil           soften and cleanse skin           treat minor skin burns           cure common warts   There are two main methods of  application;  1.   Pulp mask:       Grate the

Hello everyone! Today I want to share the latest DIY facial mask I’ve been trying out.   It’s the honey and cinnamon mask. As you may know, honey has countless virtues .  Check this previous post:  Honey face , for more information.  Cinnamon, also, contains powerful antioxidants and it has been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic , astringent and antifungal , amongst other uses.  The combination of these two powerful ingredients helps to kill the bacteria that cause pimples . This mask also helps to fade scars ! Method: Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat your face dry.   Mix 3 tbsp. of honey with 1 tbsp. of cinnamon and apply a thin layer to the face as a mask and leave on for about 20 minutes.     Or  dab  a small amount   on blemishes and leave on overnight. Rinse with warm water.   Apply toner and moisturiser . The cinnamon powder acts as an exfoliant. The mixture will last you for about 4 mask applications.