Title: Equipment & Ingredients 1 - Natural Beauty at Home
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Almond Oil: A pale yellow oil expelled or pressed from the seed of the sweet almond tree, it is rich in natural emollients that have skin-softening qualities. Can be found at the grocery store in the cooking oil section.

Aloe Vera: The leaves from the aloe vera plant contain a sap that is believed to promote healing and soothe the skin. This sap is 99 1/2% water. Many grocery stores stock aloe vera gel, as do pharmacies.

Alum (Aluminum Sulfate): In cosmetics, alum can be found in many astringents and aftershaves. It acts an an antiseptic and helps stop bleeding. Add a pinch to your favorite astringent or toner recipe to give it extra tightening power. You can purchase cosmetic-grade alum at drugstores or pharmacies.

Apricot Kernel Oil (Persic Oil): A light oil obtained from the kernels or pits of apricots, it is a popular body oil as it does not leave an oily film on the skin. This oil is a bit more difficult to find. Look at a naturaly food store.

Aspirin (Salicylic Acid): Salicylic acid occurs naturally in many plant leaves. People used to cure their headaches by chewing wintergreen or sweet birch leaves. Aspirin can be used as a preservative, antiseptic, and anti-itch treatment. Care should be used, however, as aspirin can be absorbed through the skin.

Avocado Oil: A pale green oil made from the dehydrated flesh of the avocado, avocado oil is popular in cooking because it contains no cholesterol and has a very high smoking point. It is excellent for moisturizing the skin and hair because it have very high vitamin A and E contents and absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This oil can be found in the cooking oil section at the grocery store.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Baking soda is a gentle, alkaline, white powder that neutralized acids. When mixed with acids such as vinegar, carbon dioxide is produced. This common household product is used as a skin soother, tooth powder, and deoderizer. It can be purchased at any grocery store.

Beeswax: Beeswax is the wax secreted from the underside of bees, which they use to make the walls of the honeycomb. No synthetic product having all its properties has been developed. It is a valued ingredient in the cosmetics industry, as it will not become rancid and has germ-killing properties. In beauty products it forms a protective barrier on the skin to guard against environmental irritants and lock in moisture. Look for beeswax in a bee supply shop or health food store.

Borax (Sodium Tetraborate): Borax is a natural chemical substance forun on alkaline lakeshores such as in California's Death Valley. It is used as a water softener, preservative, and texturizer. Because it is a mild alkali it gently cleanses without drying the skin. Borax powder can be found in the detergent section of the grocery store.

Castor Oil: Castor oil is made from the seed of the castor oil plant. This pale, unscented oil is an excellent oil for the hair, nails, and lips. As one of the few oils soluble in alcohol it is a good fixative for perfumes and colognes. This oil is usually found in the health-care section of the grocery store or at the pharmacy.

Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is to plants what hemoglobin is to blood; it is a vital part of healthy plant life. It is well known for its deoderant properties and helps promote healing. You will probably have to check with a local health food store to purchase liquid chlorophyll, or use the following recipe:

Lawn clippings, cut fine & 1 c vodka

Fill a clean, wide-mouthed jar with the lawn clippings. Pour the vodka over the clippings. Place the lid on the jar tightly. Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 1 week. Strain off the liquid and discard the clippings.

Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is a creamy, fatty wax that is solid at room temperature. It is obtained from the seeds of the cocoa plant. Chocolate lovers will enjoy cocoa butter's mild chocolate scent. It is an excellent skin softener and can be used alone or mixed with other ingredients. Cocoa butter can be found in any drugstores (look for products that contain 100% cocoa butter).

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a solid white oil at room temperature. Today it is bought mainly for cosmetic use rather than cooking because it it 92% saturated fat. It preserves the skin and hair by providing a protective layer that locks in natural moisture. You can use it as a conditioner for your hair, skin, and lips. Look in the cosmetic section of a health food store or the cooking section of the grocery store.

Source: "Natural Beauty at Home" by Janice Cox

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