Title: Equipment & Ingredients 2 - Natural Beauty at Home
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Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a fine, white, starchy powder made from corn. It soothes the skin and is believed to possess healing properties. Many people use cornstarch in place of talcum powder. It also makes a good thickening agent for creams and lotions. Cornstarch can be found at the grocery store in the baking section.

Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate): Epsom salts is a fine white crystal powder that can be purchased at any drugstore. Soaking in these salts is soothing to sore muscles because the salts are mildly astringent.

Essential Oils: Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts of different plants (usually a single plant). The come in a wide variety of scents, ranging from common ones such as peppermint to the the more exotic patchouli and sandalwood. They are more expensive than other scents but are worth it as the scents are pure and intense, and will last for a very long time. Look for these fragrant oils at health food stores or aromatherapy shops.

Extracts and Flavorings: Alcohol is mixed with a substance to produce an extract. It is then used to scent and flavor mixtures. Extracts come in a wide variety of flavors, from banana to peppermint. If you need a quick and inexpensive cologne, they are easy to use. A wide variety of extracts can be found in the spice section of the grocery store.

Flowers: You can purchase flowers fresh or dried from organic growers (you do not want any pesticides used on the flowers), or grow your own. Flowers that have wilted or turned a bit brown are still usable in cosmetic products. Flowers have been used in cosmetics for ages, oftentimes for symbolic reasoms (for instance, lavender is believed to bring good luck to women). A flower's physical properties are also important, marigold, for example, has very strong healing powers because of its antibacterial properties.

Gelatin: Gelatin is a protein obtained from animal collagen (boiling skin, bones, tendon, etc., in water). It is beneficial to your hair and nails because of its high protein content. Both flavored and unflavored gelatins are available at the grocery store.

Glycerine: Glycerine is a clear, odorless, sticky liquid produce during soap making. It attracts moisture and keeps products from drying out. If you read cosmetics labels you will notice it listed as an ingredient in many product. A classic hand-softening formula is glycerine and rosewater. Look in the health-care section of the grocery store or at the pharmacy.

Henna Leaves: Ground henna leaves are a well-known ancient beauty treatment for the hair and nails. The henna plant or shrub grows in North Africa and the Near East. Henna contains a resinous substance that, when mixed with water, will coat your hair, skin, and nails. It can be used to dye the hair, give it extra body and shine, and strengthen the nails. Make sure the henna you purchase is made from 100% henna leaves. Henna can be found at the drugstore.

Herbal Teas: Herbal teas are an excellent source of herbs such as chamomile flowers or a mixture of herbs. Make sure they containg pure herbal ingredients. Tea bags are also ideal for making scented waters and oils, as you do not have to strain out the solids. Herbal teas can be used in the bath, as skin fresheners and hair rinses, and in creams and lotions. Many grocery stores have a wide variety of natural herbal teas.

Honey is made from bees from the nectar of flowering plants and trees and contains many vital vitamins and minerals. It has a very high potassium content, which makes it almost impossible for bacteria to survive in it. Honey is one of the best-known humectants (materials that hold moisture). Honey is available in grocery and natural food stores. There are many different varieties, such as clover or sage, based on what blossoms the bees find near the hive.

Jojoba Bean Oil: The jojoba plant is found in southern Ariona, southern California, and northern Mexico. On the jojoba shrub grows a pod that contains one to three seeds, 48 to 51 percent of which is oil. Jojoba bean oil has become very popular recently because it is very similar to our bodies' own natural oil. Native Americans and Mexicans have used jojoba beans for centuries. Many health food or natural food stores carry this oil.

Lanolin: Lanolin is found in the oil gland of sheep and is more like a wax than an oil or fat. It absorbs and holds water to the skin. There is no known scientific proof that lanolin penetrates skin better than oil, though many believe this to be so. Lanolin can be purchased at the drugstore.

Lemons (and all citrus fruits): The lemon is a very versatile fruit. It is commonly used in cosmetics because of its citric acid content. Citric acid kills bacteria on the skin. The fresh citrus scent is very popular and is a known energizer. The whole fruit is useful, from the peel to the acidic juice. Lemon juice mixed with water makes a super hair rinse for removing built-up gels and oils.

Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is made from oil, eggs, and vinegar or lemon juice. The oil and eggs are moisturizing and nourishing to the skin, and the vinegar or lemon juice helps restore the skin's natural acid level. It is a complete treatment and can be used as a moisturizer for the skin or as a conditioner for the hair before the final rinse. Mayonnaise is found in any grocery store and is also simple to make at home.

Source: "Natural Beauty at Home" by Janice Cox

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