With everybody practicing social distancing and isolating themselves at home, there is not much to do. I am quickly running out of supplies and I also realise that this is the best time to indulge in self skin-care and hair-care. And the best part is that you can use natural alternatives to everyday products.
Applying face packs, hair masks, etc. are all the ways people are keeping busy. But this is also causing a shortage of products. With late or even halted deliveries people are resorting to natural alternatives to everyday products. Since you have no idea when the supplies will start, you can start slow and make an array of products right at home.
Natural alternatives to everyday products
There are natural alternatives to everyday products. These are easy alternatives For easy alternatives, there are natural products that could help out in these situations. Not just hair and skin care, you can also use these solutions for home care and wellness. Read on to know more!
While you can use any single oil to oil your hair, it helps to add some more healthy ingredients for added benefits. Here’s a look at some common ingredients added during the preparation of traditional homemade hair oils.
Essential Oil Mix for Dry and Itchy Scalp
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 4 drops eucalyptus oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 7 drops lavender oil
- 4 drops thyme oil
Combine these ingredients in a bottle and shake to combine. Apply a small amount all over the scalp, massaging in circular motions. Leave for 30 minutes and wash off.
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Kitchen Surface Cleaner
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp dish wash liquid
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- Lemon essential oil
Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. After leaving to rest for a minute, fill with warm water and shake again. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil, shake and use to clean all surfaces.
Facial Mists and Toners
Toners can tackle various skin problems, although the main intention is to balance the skin’s pH level. Some toners can tackle signs of ageing or redness. Toners can also make the skin more receptive for the products applied after it. Did you know that you can also make your facial mist? Take a pump bottle and add about 200 ml of distilled water to it. Add 10 drops of tea-tree essential oil and 10 drops of lavender essential oil to this. Use as a toner or a refreshing mist to spritz on your face.
MUST READ: Best natural face mists in India
How to make your own foaming hand soap
To start with, you’ll need a foaming hand soap container/dispenser. A foaming soap dispenser is very different from your regular dispenser. I prefer a foaming hand soap dispenser because the quantity that is dispensed is far lesser in comparison to the regular dispenser. A 200 ml bottle of foam soap will last up to two months when used regularly.
What you need:
- Foaming soap bottle dispenser – I picked up this one that holds 100 ml of the liquid.
- Liquid Castile Soap – 1.5 – 2 tbsps
- Essential Oils – 5 – 8 drops (add more if you want a stronger fragrance)
- Pure Almond Oil – 1/2 tsp
- 60 ml of warm water
*If you are looking for a variety of dispensers for the foaming hand-wash, look up this link here. You can also look up more liquid castile soaps here.
Making the foaming hand soap
- Fill the soap dispenser with about 60 ml of warm water. Ensure that you have about 1 inch room at the top of the bottle to accommodate the dispenser pump and the liquid soap.
- Add about 1.5 – 2 tbsps of liquid castile soap to the warm water. (NOTE: Always add the soap in the water and and not water to the soap. If you add water to the soap it will create a lot of bubbles). You may want to increase or decrease the quantity of the soap according to your requirement.
- Add the almond oil and the essential oils that you want.
- Close and lightly swirl the mix in the bottle to mix it well.
- Pump a few times to let the foam start dispensing.
- This makes about 85 – 90 ml of liquid soap that can be used for almost 1 month.
COFFEE COCONUT OIL MASK
Coffee may seem like an unlikely ingredient for a face mask, but the truth is that it can perk up not just for your foggy brain but your facial skin as well! Ground coffee beans have exfoliating properties and it removes dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin. The caffeine acts as a diuretic and can remove puffiness in the face.
- 1/2 tsp ground coffee
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Mix the coffee and coconut oil thoroughly. Apply to the face, massaging gently all over in circular motions. Leave it on for about half an hour (or more) and then wash off completely. Repeat twice or thrice a week.
These are some of the natural alternatives to everyday products I could think of. How are you being creative and using your time to use natural alternatives to everyday products ? Leave a comment and let me know.
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