Body & Soul: Shine Through to Spring with Natural Beauty Recipes

Enlarge Image Image Gallery You can create dozens of different bath salts in no time at all. All you need is a combination of natural salts, such as Epsom salts, sea salt and kosher salt, and some food coloring. Photo by Angie Cao

Harsh winter weather can ravage your mood and your skin. But you have the power to pamper your skin and boost your mood without breaking the bank. At-home beauty products can help revive dry, itchy skin and your spirit. Let ingredients like coffee, chocolate and pomegranate juice work wonders on your complexion, and turn to essential oils for aromatherapy.

Natural Beauty Recipes to Keep Your Skin Healthy

• Colored Bath Salts
• Powerful Pomegranate Toner
• Espresso Yourself Facial Mask
• Homemade Cosmetics Chemistry Kit 

• Try These Editor-Recommended Natural Skin Care Products 

Essential oils affect our emotions by releasing compounds into the air that are inhaled, thus reaching the brain through our olfactory nerves. The delicate scent of chamomile is pleasing, and the essential oil can be calming. Rosemary has a bold scent, and is said to be energizing. Essential oils can also help with a variety of physical conditions when the aromatic molecules are applied to the skin or are inhaled. Pomegranate is antibacterial and antiseptic, and has high antioxidant activity. And coffee and chocolate, recognized for medicinal benefits since around 800 and 400 a.d. respectively, are antioxidant, as well. The ground coffee beans will gently slough off dead skin cells, and since both are stimulants, you will have a healthy glow. Read more about these ingredients in the following excerpt from EcoBeauty, written by Janice Cox, a regular contributor to “Body & Soul,” with her daughter, Lauren. Their ideas will help ease you through the last of the winter weather, and we hope you’ll enjoy the gift-giving tips so you can share your creations with friends and family.