When you’re a Green Queen, you get pretty excited right away when you realize how much clearer, healthier, and brighter your skin becomes on a diet of greens, but of course, there is no end to the lovely raw food tricks you can use to make yourself feel and look royal.  So today, I’m happy to share with you a contribution from the lovely Lisa.  Just try to keep your fingers out of your toiletries!!

- by Lisa Bolard

Before I got serious about going raw, I didn’t give any real thought to the fact that the skin is the largest organ of the body.  I’ve since realized that as a major organ of your body, what you put on it should be given some importance.  It might not be the same as ingestion through the mouth, but your skin gives and takes nutrients and harmful substances, and it should be accorded appropriate consideration.  Vibrant skin is the result of a healthy body, and no chemical process or makeup can be a substitute for healthy skin.

There are many ways to care for your skin that do not involve costly products (most of which have all manner of unhealthy ingredients).  It is key to remember that no matter what you topically put on your skin, it will never be healthy if you eat and drink an unhealthy diet.  Removing processed foods from your daily food intake and adding high water content foods to your regular diet will go a long way to improving your skin.  The second thing to remember is that it is ideal to only put things on your skin that you feel good about putting in your mouth.

If you want to evaluate your existing skin care products, here is a list of things that you should avoid in any skin care (or makeup) product:

• Mineral Oil, aka paraffin, paraffin wax, petrolatum (these prevent the skin from breathing)

• Dioxane - a derivative of coconut

• Fragrance

• Parabens, such as methyl, proply, butyl, ethyl papaben (these all create long shelf life)

• Alcohols:  ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol (these dry and strip skin of natural cover that protects against moulds, viruses and harmful bacteria

Here are some foods that have helpful properties for the skin:

• Almond oil:  for dry skin, removes old pimple scars

• Apples:  good for preventing fine lines, treats itching or cracked skin

• Apricots:  use juice for sunburn, itching, or eczema

• Cucumber:  use juice for skin eruptions

• Honey:  Use 1 tsp with water for blemishes - also adds a nice glow

• Paw Paw:  Use as a rub for glow; or use juice of the entire fruit for pimples, whiteheads and acne

• Potatoes:  grate and create poultice for blemishes; wrinkles, blackheads

• Tomatoes:  Use for 1 hr on face for pimples

RAW FOOD RECIPES FOR BEAUTY

Shrinking Large Pores: 1 Tbsp tomato juice with a few drops lime juice; Use for 15 minutes

Whitening Lotion: 1 Tbsp cucumber juice with few drips lime juice; dash of turmeric powder for 30 minutes

Tonic for Sensitive Skin: 1 Tbsp cucumber juice and 1 Tbsp milk, few drops rose water; use for 15 minutes

Tonic for Oily Skin: 1 Tbsp apple juice, 1/4 tsp lime juice; Use for 20 minutes

Cleaning Pores: massage peach skin/peals on skin every night; don’t rub off; also tightens muscles to prevent sagging

Cleansing Lotion: 1/4 tsp lime juice plus 1 tsp milk, 1 tsp cucumber juice; use on face for 15 minutes

Wrinkles: Mash banana and add 2 Tbsp warmed honey and make paste

Removing Scars and Blemishes: Orange or Tangerine juice; blanch and grind almonds and make paste with the juice; optionally mix in 2 Tbsp milk, 1 Tbsp carrot juice; apply thickly on face/neck for 30 minutes

Astringents: A few tablespoons of any of the following, boiled in water:  Geranium leaves, oak bark, pine needles, and sunflower leaves

Basic Skin Food: one avocado mashed, 1 tsp flaxseed oil, 1 tsp honey all mixed until smooth and creamy; Apply to face and use for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water