Do-it-yourself Beauty Products
Acids for skin care are all the rage right now. They are more effective exfoliants than manual exfoliators, as they pose less of a risk for irritating inflamed or sensitive skin. However, skin care products featuring such acids can be pricey sometimes. This doesn't mean that you can't experience their benefits. You can make masks and toners containing these acids right at home for a fraction of the price!Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which helps exfoliate your skin cells. Glycolic Acid is found in brown sugar, and you can make a great exfoliant by mixing brown sugar and your choice of a skin-friendly oil (such as jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, almond oil, etc.) and apply as a paste to your face. Leave it on up to 10 minutes and apply warm water to your face. Scrub gently (if you sensitive skin, just wipe it off) and make sure to rinse off completely.
Lactic acid is another type of alpha hydroxy acid that not only exfoliates superficial skin cells but is also used to hydrate and soothe flaky,dry skin. Lactic acid is found in milk and yogurt, and Cleopatra purportedly bathed in milk to keep her skin supple. To utilize this acid, mix powdered skim milk with honey for a mask that soothes and exfoliates simultaneously. Or, you can put milk in a spray bottle filled 3/4 of the way with water, and use it to hydrate your face anytime you need a pick-me-up, the way that Cindy Crawford does when she travels (this is to counter the drying effects of the dehydrating air within the airplane cabin, which can sometimes get drier than the Sahara Desert!) For acne, you can mix lemon juice, cucumber juice and yogurt and put it on as a mask for around 10 minutes. You'll find that your skin is brighter and pinker and more uniform in color.
Citric acid is often used in skin-creams, toners and face cleansers to balance the PH of your skin, and also, works as a natural preservative of the ingredients in the products. Citric acid is found in lemons, oranges and grapefruits. You can use lemon juice in your masks (great when mixed with egg whites) or you can grind the rind of an orange and mix it with oatmeal for a clarifying mask.
Malic Acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid and is found in apples. If you have never tried apple cider vinegar for your skin, you should try it. It's great for reducing the amount of oil your skin produces and also helps even out your skin tone. You certainly should try organic apple cider vinegar (such as the cult-favorite, Bragg's), as it isn't processed (it still contains the mother-web at the bottom of the bottle).
Tartaric acid is yet another type of alpha hydroxy acid that is found in grapes. Grape masks are great for rejuvenating aging skin and really makes the skin look brighter. Crush a few grapes and leave it on your face for 5-10 minutes. Wash off and make sure to apply a suitable moisturizer for your skin type.
Salicylic Acid (which is found in aspirin, and trace amounts can be found in aloe vera and strawberries) is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) which penetrates yours pores and gets beneath the sebum and dissolves and exfoliates dead skin cells. My favorite mask to use for my acne-prone skin is a mixture of honey, aloe vera and crushed and dissolved aspirin pills. When applied for 10-20 minutes, it works to exfoliate my skin and helps soothe any painful zits I have. This is great for reducing any cysts you might have, and also helps de-plug any blackheads and clogged pores. Also, you can make a great toner by mixing apple cider vinegar, green tea and a few aspirin pills. Let the pills dissolve, and make sure to use this up within a few days.
