Vegan Ireland: Best brands

Make your own products!

Most commercial skin-care products contain additives, preservatives, colourants, derived from petrochemicals and many other harmful ingredients. As everything we put on our skin is absorbed, it makes sense that all these chemical cocktails are also absorbed in the skin.

We don't need to waste money on expensive creams and lotions to have a healthy and beautiful skin. The health of our skin, as with the rest of our body, is largely due to the food we eat. So it would make sense that these foods are the most nourishing tonics for the outside as well as the inside.

We can use the healthiest of foods as cleansers, toners, moisturizers and facials. They are inexpensive and we can even eat the leftovers!

Note that because these are made from food, only small amounts are needed. They have to be stored in the fridge and used quickly.

Before using any homemade beauty products, be sure to do a test dab on your inner arm to ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin.

Face Scrub

The most commonly used ingredients are ground almonds and oatmeal.
Exfoliation is not, like cleansing, a daily necessity, but as an occasional treatment, it brings the benefits of detoxification and better circulation to the surface.

2 tsp fine oatmeal
2 tsp ground almonds
rose water/water to blend.

Grind the oatmeal if too coarse (a chopper can be used).
Mix all the ingredients into a smooth paste.
Leave it for a few minutes to bind.
Gently massage into the face, avoiding the delicate skin under the eyes.
Rinse your face in warm water.

Note: Use ground rice instead of oats.
Use any nut/seed instead of almonds.

Face Mask

Home-made face masks can visibly improve your complexion by increasing local blood circulation, neutralizing bacteria, stimulating the elimination of wastes, or firm up by closing the pores.
Anti-inflammatory oats and soothing almond oil complement lemon's citric acid in a robust, deep cleansing mask.

1 lemon
2 tbsp sweet almond oil
4 tbsp ground porridge oats
rosewater

Press the lemon to extract 3 tbsp of juice.
Stir the lemon juice and sweet almond oil into the oats. Then gradually add enough rosewater to make a smooth paste, stirring all the time.
Apply to the face and neck and leave for around 15 min.
Rinse your face with lukewarm water.

Skin types: all, especially ageing.

Cleansing lotion 1

Almond milk can be used for all types of skins as a lotion that nourishes as it cleanses.
Almond milk contains vitamins A and B, oleic and linoleic acids (or Vit F), two of the polyunsaturated fatty acids which are vital for healthy skin.
Keep in a jar in the fridge and throw away any left over after a week.

50g ground almonds
500ml of filtered water

Add the ground almonds in the water and mix well. Leave it to rest for a few hours.

Filter and pour into a bottle, then store in the fridge.

Apply to the neck and face, using a cottonwool ball, and leave for around 20min - time for the lotion to penetrate the skin and dry naturally.

Skin types: all, especially dry and ageing.

Cleansing lotion 2

Lemon juice is a very effective cleanser and toner. The most powerful astringent of the citric fuit acids, it also contains vitamin B3 and vitamin C.
Keep in a jar in the fridge and throw away any left over after a week.

1/2 lemon
100ml of rosewater.

Press the lemon to extract 1 tsp of juice and add it to the rose water.
Store the bottle in the fridge.
Apply twice a day to the neck and face, using a cottonwool ball, and leave to penetrate the skin and dry naturally.

Skin types: oily and normal.

Hair Remover

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup water
A flat spatula, or rounded knife
Stripes of cotton/linen fabric (20cmx7cm)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has turned a rich amber color (it can take up to 10 minutes).
Do not let it burn!

Transfer in a heat proof jar. Use it as you would use Moom!

Lip Care Balm

You can create a very effective lip balm with the perfume of your choice in 5 minutes!

2 tbsp of coconut fat
1 tsp almond oil
Essential oil of your choice.

Put the coconut fat in a saucepan.
once the coconut has melted, turn off the heat and add the almond oil and a few drops of essential oil of your choice.

Put the mixture in a small container.
Once cold, the mixture should solidify enough. If too liquid, add more coconut fat, until you get the right mixture.

If the mixture is too solid, add more almond oil.

This is a very easy recipe, the only tricky part is to find a container small enough to put in your pocket!

Faith In Nature

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