Read these 41 Health & Beauty Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Recipe tips and hundreds of other topics.
1 quart warm Water
1 Bar grated castille soap
1 ounce Glycerine
2 ounces Coconut oil
2 drops Violet floral oil
Mix together warm water and the grated castille soap. Mix until soap is completely dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup grated soap, (Ivory or Castille)
1-1/2 Tbsp cooking oil
1 Tbsp water
1 drop essential oil, if desired
Place the grated soap into a blender, add the cornmeal, and pulse until mixture has a grainy consistency. Pour into a bowl; add the oils and water and mix with your hands. Form into a firm ball and let stand until hard; about 2 hours.
1 Bar unscented soap
3 Tbsp water
1 Drop food coloring, or more if needed
1 Drop scented oil or perfume, if desired
Grate soap. Mix the water and food coloring; bring to a
boil in saucepan. Add the grated soap; lower heat and stir rapidly for 2 minutes until all shavings are colored. Cool until able to handle, and then form into balls. Spray molds with non-stick cooking spray, and press soap balls into the mold. Let cool and remove, then let air dry until hardened.
1 Tbsp honey
1 apple, cored & peeled
Puree both ingredients in a blender. Smooth on face, leave on for 15 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda
Add enough hydrogen peroxide to a Tbsp of baking soda to make a paste. Brush on teeth to whiten.
To ease mouth pain or toothaches, make a tea by boiling 1 tsp of fresh peppermint in 1 cup of water and adding a pinch of salt. Peppermint contains menthol, which relieves pain when applied to your gums.
To strengthen and add shine to your nails, combine 2 tsp castor oil, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp wheat germ oil. Mix thoroughly, and pour into a lidded bottle. Shake well before using. To use, rub a small amount of the mixture into your nails. Leave on for 3-5 minutes, and then wipe off with a cotton ball.
1/4 cup herbal tea, strongly brewed
8 ounces liquid castile soap
In a small saucepan, mix tea and soap well. Simmer over low heat until well blended. Store in an airtight container.
1 Tbsp ground or powdered spearmint
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp honey
Whirl ingredients in the blender until fluffy. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse with cool water.
1 apple, quartered & cored
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground sage
Chop apple in food processor. Add honey and sage; mix well. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Pat mixture onto face with a light tapping motion, tapping until mixture feels tacky. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
half a cucumber
1 egg white
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried mint flakes
Puree all ingredients in blender; refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Apply mixture to face, leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water followed by cool water.
The best product to use for sting-free eye makeup removal is baby shampoo. Put a dab on a washcloth, dampen, and rub gently over your eyes. Rinse.
2 ounces Apricot kernel oil
1 ounce Jojoba oil
1 ounce Sunflower oil
1 ounce Rice bran or oat bran
6 Drops essential oil (Lavender or Rosemary)
Warm apricot, jojoba, and sunflower oils together. Mix in bran and essential oil.
Gently rub the mixture into your skin in small, circular motions. Not recommended for your face.
Rinse in a lukewarm shower, without soap.
WARNING...this will make your shower slippery, so use caution!
For acne control, add 2-3 tsp of dried basil leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10-20 minutes. Cool, and apply to affected areas with a cotton ball.
2 Tbsp shaved beeswax
1/2 tsp carnuba wax
2 Tbsp jojoba oil
1 tsp aloe vera gel
10 drops Vitamin E oil (or 4 capsules)
1 drop of your favorite essential oil for fragrance
Melt the first four ingredients in a stainless steel pot on the stove or use a glass pyrex cup in the microwave. Remove from the heat and beat until cool, adding the Vitamin E oil before mixture thickens. Continue beating until this mixture becomes creamy. Add your favorite essential oil, continue beating until cream has completely cooled. Spoon your cream into a jar, store in a cool dark place.
To soften cuticles before a manicure, warm some olive oil and soak your nails in it, then gently push back cuticles with an orange stick.
1/2 cup ripe strawberries
1/4 cup cornstarch
Mash strawberries and cornstarch together to make a paste.
Apply to face, avoiding the eyes. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup grated soap (Ivory or Castille)
1-1/2 Tbsp cooking oil
1 Tbsp water
1 drop essential oil if desired
twine
Place the grated soap in a blender, add oatmeal, and pulse until mixture has a grainy consistency. Pour into a bowl, add the oils and water and mix with your hands. Form into a firm ball. Make a 1-1/2 inch long indentation in the ball. Tie the ends together of a 12 inch length of twine. Press the knotted end into the indentation. Mold soap firmly over the twine. Let set until hard, about 3 hours.
1/2 tsp Espom Salts
juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp cognac
1 egg
1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk
Blend all ingredients well. Dampen your face, apply mask gently, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
1/2 cup epsom salts
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Borax
2 drops food coloring
40 drops scented oil
Mix all ingredients together and store in a jar with a tight fitting lid, or to give as a gift, place in a pretty bottle.
1 tsp beeswax
1 tsp apricot kernel oil
1 tsp calendula oil
3-4 drops of essential oil of orange
Beet juice (optional)
Melt beeswax in the top of a double boiler. Add apricot kernel and calendula oils, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add beet juice if desired, for color. When partially cooled, add oil of orange. Store in an airtight jar. You can transfer a small amount to a purse-sized container for when you are on the go.
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbsp citric or absorbic acid (powdered vitamin C)
1 Tbsp borax powder
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
2 Tbsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp Vitamin E oil
1/4 tsp perfume or essential oil
Combine dry ingredients and stir until blended. Slowly add almond oil and stir until mixture is moistened. Add Vitamin E oil and fragrance and stir until well mixed.
With your hands, take about a Tbsp. of the mixture and form a ball. The mixture will be crumbly and fragile, so don't worry if it isn't perfect. Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper and let rest for 3 hours, then re-roll the balls. Let the balls air dry for 10 days. Store balls in an airtight container. To use, just drop a ball into your bathtub.
Stir 1 tsp honey into 4 cups warm water. After shampooing, pour the mixture through your hair. Do not rinse! Style as usual.
1 cup honey
1 cup boiling water
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sea salt
2 Tbsp baking soda
10 drops of vanilla oil
Dissolve sea salt and baking soda in bathwater. Dissolve honey in boiling water, add milk. Add milk and honey mixture to bathwater. Add vanilla.
1 egg
1/2 cup herbal tea
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp castile soap
1 Drop of fragrant essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a blender; whip until smooth. Shampoo as usual, using warm water (not hot).
Store leftover shampoo in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
1 tsp honey
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 egg yolk, beaten
Mix honey and olive oil, then add the egg yolk.
Apply to hair in small sections. Wrap head with shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse, and shampoo as usual.
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup lukewarm water
Beat egg yolk until it is thick and pale. Slowly drizzle drops of oil into the egg, beating well. After oil is incorporated, add the water a little at a time.
To use: After shampooing, massage conditioner into hair and leave on for a few minutes; rinse thoroughly.
1 ripe peach, peeled and pitted
1 raw egg white
Blend peach and egg white together in a blender until smooth. Gently pat mixture over face; leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
1/4 cup boiling water
5 drops scented essential oil*
1 Tbsp pulverized herbs*
2 cups Ivory or castille soap, grated
Pour boiling water over herbs. Add 5 to 6 drops scented oil; steep for 15 minutes. Reheat until bubbly and pour over the grated soap. Mix well with hands and let stand 15 minutes. Mix again and divide into 3 or 6 parts, rolling each into a ball, or place into molds that have been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Place on plastic wrap and dry for 3 days.
*Chamomile, Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme or a combination. Choose a scented oil to match or compliment the natural scent of the herbs.
1/2 cup hot mineral water
1 tsp powdered green tea
Dissolve tea in hot water, cool. After cleansing, apply to face with a cotton ball. Do not rinse.
1-1/2 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp epsom salts
1/4 cup grated carrot
Mix ingredients together. Dampen your skin, apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Cucumbers are great for refreshing your skin. Simply blend a cucumber and apply the juice to your skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
1 egg yolk
1/2 of an avocado, mashed
Beat egg yolk until it is frothy. Pour into a blender; add the avocado, and blend until smooth.
Wash your face, and then spread the avocado mask over your skin. Leave on skin for 20 minutes, and then remove with lukewarm water, followed by a splash of cold water.
Juice from half a lemon, strained
1 egg white
Beat together the egg white and lemon juice
for three minutes. Apply directly to your
face, avoiding your eyes, and leave on for
30 minutes. After 30 minutes rinse your
face with warm water and apply a moisturizer.
Use this mask weekly for glowing, healthy skin.
2 cups sea salt, finely ground
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tsp. vitamin E oil
2 Tbsp. light oil
2 eggs
6 drops essential oil of your choice
Mix all the ingredients together, spread out on counter, and cut out shapes with decorative cookie cutters.
Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake. Allow to cool completely and store in lidded container. Use 1-2 "cookies" per bath.
3 carrots (peeled)
1 orange (peeled)
1 apple (peeled)
1 beet (fresh or canned)
1 orange (peeled)
Place ingredients in a blender, and mix until well blended. Refrigerate until completely chilled. This tonic is used to boost your immune system. If it needs sweetening, add a tsp of honey.
For dry skin, mix 1 tsp of powdered milk with 1 tsp of warm mineral water. Add 1 tsp of honey and mix well. Apply to your face, leave on for 5 minutes, and then rinse with warm mineral water.
If you have normal to oily skin, soak a cotton ball with warm milk and apply to your face 3 times per day. Rinse with warm mineral water.
(For Dry Skin)
Mash up 2 tablespoons avocado, mix with 2 tablespoons honey and 1 egg yolk. Apply to face, leaving on about 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
1 tomato, chopped
1 Tbsp instant oatmeal
1 tsp lemon juice
Blend ingredients just until combined.
Apply to skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay on blemished areas. Add a bit more oatmeal to thicken the mask, if necessary.
Leave on skin for 10 minutes, then scrub off with a clean washcloth dipped in warm water.
1/2 cup baking soda
2 Tbsp borax
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Mix together all the ingredients until well blended. Store powder in an airtight container. Add 2 Tbsp of the powder to a warm bath.