Homemade Anti-Aging Cleansers

One of the things that aging skin needs most is moisture. The days of oil-absorbing, drying cleansers are behind you, and it's time to think about hydration and moisturising. Also, exfoliating can help improve the look of aging skin by removing the top layer of dead skin cells.

As those with aging skin look to commercial cleansers and creams, they may find that the cost is too high and the ingredients not trustworthy. What is all that unpronounceable stuff in the ingredients list, anyway? If you want to save money and use ingredients that are natural, you can make your own anti-aging cleansers at home. Here are some suggestions.

1. Moisturising Cream with Yogurt

This cream works more like a rinse or moisture treatment than a cleanser. Mild enough for daily use, it's not designed to remove dirt and make-up, but it is an excellent cream for after cleansing. You can use this as a cleanser if you do not use make-up.

Ingredients (refrigerate any leftovers):

* 2 tablespoons plain yogurt (use Greek style yogurt if you want a thicker cream, and full fat if you want extra moisture)

* 1/4 teaspoon raw honey

* 1/4 teaspoon sweet almond oil

Mix all ingredients together well using a fork or whisk. Spread the cream evenly over your face and gently rub it in. Rinse with lukewarm water. This cream tends to leave skin feeling very silky.

2. Sugar Exfoliant

Using an exfoliant can give new life to older skin. However, no exfoliant should not be used more than three times a week to avoid irritation.

Ingredients (refrigerate the unused portion, but use it within two days or so. The sugar will dissolve if you leave it longer than that):

* 2 tablespoons white sugar

* 1/2 teaspoon plain yogurt (use full-fat yogurt if you want to increase the moisturizing effect)

* 1/2 teaspoon raw honey

* 1/4 teaspoon sweet almond oil (increase the oil if you need more moisturizer)

Splash face and neck with warm water. With a circular motion, gently rub about 1 teaspoon of the exfoliant into the skin of your face and neck. Avoid the eyes. Rinse well with lukewarm water.

3. Fruit Salad Facial

Okay, so it's not really a fruit salad. But in this moisturizing treatment, you use the ingredients you might find in a healthy fruit salad.

Ingredients to mash together or put in a blender:

* 1/4 cup chopped avocado

* 1 fresh strawberry

* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

* 1/2 ripe banana

* Enough whole milk or cream to make into a creamy consistency.

Apply this thick cream to clean, dry skin and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. Then rinse with lukewarm water.

For all of these recipes, be sure to pat your skin dry gently; don't rub with a towel.