I have had many requests for homemade cleaners as well as alternatives to personal care items, such as shampoo, conditioner, lotions and facial cleansers.  Below you will find several natural recipes for these items.   If you have other recipes for similar items, I would love to hear from you!   Send your submissions to:

recipes@realfood4realpeople.com

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Grainy Facial Cleanser:           (similar to Aapri)

Your choice of facial soap (pure soap like Ivory is good)

1 tsp. Cornmeal (for normal to oily skin)

OR 1 tsp. Granulated Sugar (for dry skin)

Wet face, then work up a lather of facial soap in your hands.  Add cornmeal to one soapy hand, and rub meal into the lather.  Work this between both hands, then wash face with this mixture.   This mixture is gentle, yet effective and is great for acne.  Be sure to avoid the eye area.

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Egg Shampoo #1

1 egg

1 tsp. Olive Oil

1 tsp. Lemon Juice

1 Tbsp. 'Castile Soap' or mild, unscented Shampoo

1/2 cup Water

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.  Use immediately and follow up with one of the hair rinses below.  Refrigerate any left over shampoo, and use within 36 hours.  This shampoo is great for repairing sun or heat damaged hair. 

To use:  Wash and rinse this shampoo with warm, NOT hot water.  (if you use hot water, you will smell like cooked eggs!)

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Dry Hair Treatment

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

1 tsp. mild Shampoo

warm water

To condition dry, brittle hair:  Mix mayonnaise and shampoo in a bowl.  Add enough warm water to make it easier to mix.  Apply to hair after shampooing, and leave on for 10 minutes.   (for Very damaged hair, place a plastic shower cap over the conditioner and sit under a hair dryer, or in the sun, for 20 minutes)  When your time is up, shampoo out and rinse with warm water.

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Egg Conditioner

1 Egg Yolk

1/2 tsp. Olive Oil

3/4 cup Warm Water

In a medium sized bowl, beat egg yolk until it is thick and light colored.  Slowly add the oil, a few drops at a time, while beating (a hand mixer works good for this).  Next, add the water and beat into the egg mixture. 

After shampooing, massage conditioner into hair and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Egg Shampoo #2

1 Egg, separated

3 Tbsp. mild shampoo (such as baby shampoo or Castile)

In a small bowl, beat egg white until foamy and soft (not stiff).  Gently blend in the yolk and shampoo. 

Shampoo hair using warm water, and massage half of egg shampoo into hair and scalp.  There will not be many suds with this shampoo.  Rinse well, and repeat with the second half of the mixture.   You will have more suds with this second shampooing.  Work mixture into hair for 60 seconds, no longer, and rinse well with warm water.

Cucumber Facial Cream

1 whole Cucumber - leave unpeeled

1/2 ounce White Paraffin Wax

2 ounces Sweet Almond Oil

Cut cucumber into small pieces and puree with a food processor.  Strain puree through a strainer lined with cheese cloth.  Melt wax in a glass or enamel double boiler over medium heat.  As soon as the wax is melted, slowly add the oil, drop by drop, stirring gently.  Add strained cucumber and blend thoroughly.  Remove from heat and cover pan with a clean towel.  Let mixture cool slowly to prevent it from crystallizing.  Stir only once or twice while cooling.  When mixture is completely cool and smooth, store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator.  This will keep for about two months.

Makes 4 ounces.

Anti-Aging Facial Cream

1 Oz Glycerin

1 Oz Witch hazel

1/2 Oz Rose water

3 Tbsp Honey

3 Tbsp Wheat germ oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl, and gently mix with a wire whisk until thoroughly combined.   Store in an airtight container at room temperature.  This will keep for about one month.

To use:  Massage a small amount into the skin around your eyes and mouth, using a circular and upward motion.   This will help fight the effects of gravity.