Here are a few common, non-food, household items that you can pack away in your home emergency kit, that can be used as your emergency beauty products in a time of need.
Jojoba Oil
Petroleum Jelly
Baking Soda
Lavender Essential Oil
Witch Hazel
Jojoba Oil - (pronounced ho-HO-ba) is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba (Simmondsia chinenis) plant, a shrub native to southern Arizona, southern California and northwestern Mexico. What’s interesting about it is that it isn’t actually an oil, but rather what they call a wax ester. Why do we care? Because out of all of the compounds in nature, this wax ester is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). It is theorized that applying jojoba to the skin can “trick” the skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production. The bottom line for us is that jojoba oil is non-comedogenic so we can use it without fear. Jojoba oil is also a fungicide, and can be used for controlling mildew.
USES:
* Moisturizer and eye oil – Use a few drops to ¼ tsp. morning and night.
* Make-up remover for face and eyes – Since jojoba oil is not an eye irritant, nor allergenic, you can use it to remove eye makeup. It also easily removes foundation, blush, and lipstick. Apply to skin, massage, and tissue off, then rinse with warm water.
* Lip balm
* Hair conditioner – Use it on its own as a hot oil treatment for hair. You can add it to damp hair before drying. Also, you can add it to dry hair to promote shine. Jojoba oil also moisturizes the scalp, helping prevent dandruff, so use it as a scalp massage oil.
* Shave prep - Put a whole bunch of jojoba oil on your beard area beneath your shaving cream for a more comfortable shave. This helps prevent razor burn and leaves your skin feeling nice and soft.
* Massage oil
* Cuticle oil – apply to cuticles and nails.
* Body oil – Use after shower/bath on damp skin to moisturize.
Petroleum Jelly – The raw material for petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, United States, on some of the country's first oil rigs. Workers disliked the paraffin-like material forming on rigs because it caused them to malfunction, but they used it on cuts and burns because it hastened healing. Studies have shown that petrolatum has no medicinal effect nor any effect on the blistering process, nor is it absorbed by the skin. Petrolatum’s effectiveness in accelerating wound healing stems from its sealing effect on cuts and burns, which inhibits germs from getting into the wound and keeps the injured area supple by preventing the skin's moisture from evaporating. Pure petroleum jelly is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores.
USES:
* Skin protectant - Petroleum jelly repels water, making an effective skin protectant. It helps keep the outside world out - it protects skin from the effects of weather and exposure, and it acts like a sealant to help keep the inside world in - it forms an occlusive barrier to the natural water loss of our skin. So skin that is dry and chapped is protected from drying elements, enabling skin-softening moisture to build up naturally from inside the skin itself. It can also be used when using a home hair dye kit, if put onto skin close to the hairline it can prevent the hair dye staining the skin.
* Cuticle softener
* Lip balm – Apply to dry, chapped lips.
* Moustache wax - When used in a 50/50 mixture with pure beeswax, it makes an effective moustache wax.
* Personal lubricant - Petroleum jelly is commonly used as a personal lubricant. (Not recommended for use with condoms because it dissolves latex).
* Lubrication - It can be used to lubricate the anus if the patient is suffering from conditions like hemorrhoids or anal fissures. The purpose of this is to allow the stool to pass through the rectum more easily and more freely in an effort to minimize any further damage to the tissue. It can also be used to lubricate the anus before taking rectal temperature.
* Rough feet – Apply to feet immediately after showering. It will help to soften rough heels.
Contraindications: Petroleum jelly should not be used around the nose, as it can cause a condition called lipid pneumonia, a lung infection caused by the inhalation of fats. It may also interfere with the nose's ability to naturally scrub air as you inhale, which could also contribute to lung infections. It should also not be used as a sexual lubricant in combination with latex barrier protection, as it can degrade the latex.
Baking Soda - Baking Soda, alias sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance that is found in all living things, where it helps regulate their pH balance. Baking Soda is made from soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate. To make Baking Soda, the soda ash is mined in the form of an ore called trona. The soda ash is then dissolved into a solution through which carbon dioxide is bubbled and sodium bicarbonate precipitates out, forming "Pure, Safe and Natural" Baking Soda.
USES:
* Exfoliant - Its particles are rounded and fine in texture, making it both effective and gentle on the skin. Mix to a paste with water and massage onto skin and rinse.
* Dry shampoo – Tilt head forward and sprinkel into hair. Toussle with fingers till absorbed.
* Mouth freshener - It works as a mechanical cleanser on the teeth and gums, neutralizes the production of acid in the mouth and also as an antiseptic to help prevent infections occurring. Mix with water, swish and spit. Rinse.
* Tooth polish - A paste made from sodium bicarbonate and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. Can also be used “as is” by sprinkling onto toothbrush. Teeth will feel cleaner and fresher longer than with commercial toothpaste.
* Deodorant - Dust underarms with baking soda as needed to feel fresh all day.
* Soothing foot soak – Dissolve baking soda into warm water. Soak feet. Make a paste of water and baking soda and scrub feet. Rinse.
* Antacid – Add baking soda to water. Follow package instructions.
* Shoe deodorizer – Sprinkle baking soda into shoes to freshen overnight.
Lavender essential oil – Lavender oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the lavender plant, primarily through steam distillation. The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used in making potpourris for years. Lavender essential oil has been traditionally used in making perfumes and may also be used as a mosquito repellent. The scent has a calming effect which may aid in relaxation and the reduction of anxiety. According to advocates of alternative medicine, lavender oil can be used as an antiseptic and pain reliever to be applied to minor burns and insect bites and stings.
USES:
* Wound healing - Heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Soothe minor burns by applying 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil directly to the affected area.
* Insect repellant - Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths and insects.
* Deodorizer - Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
* Sleep aid - Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your hand and spread over your child’s pillow to help him/her sleep.
Witch Hazel – is an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, and south to Florida and Texas in the United States. This plant was widely used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. The bark and leaves are astringent; the extract, also referred to as witch hazel, is used medicinally. Extracts from its bark and leaves are used in aftershave lotions and lotions for treating bruises and insect bites. Witch-hazel helps to shrink and contract blood vessels back to normal size, hence its use as the active ingredient in many hemorrhoid medications. It is also a common treatment for postnatal tearing of the perineum. The seeds contain a quantity of oil and are edible. It is also used in treating acne.
USES:
* Acne fighter - It is a strong anti-oxidant and astringent, which makes it very useful in fighting acne. Apply as you would use a toner.
* Natural remedy – for eczema, psoriasis, insect bites and poison ivy.
* Sunburn soother – apply to sunburned skin.
* Aftershave – use to soothe cuts and nicks.
* Toner
Recipes:
Homemade Sunburn Soother
2 Tbs. (distilled) water
1 Tbs. Witch hazel
¼ cup Baking Soda
1-2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Mix well. Shake before using. Apply. Rinse dried film.
Homemade Toner
¼ cup (distilled) water
¼ cup Witch Hazel
12 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Mix well. Put in spray bottle. For extra cooling, store in fridge.
- For a more therapeutic Moisturizer, Shave Prep, Body Oil, and Cuticle Oil, add 16 drops Lavender Essential Oil to a 4oz. bottle of Jojoba Oil. Do not use on eyes.
- Add one drop Lavender Essential Oil to 1 Tbs. Baking Soda, use for underarm deodorant, shoe deodorizer, soothing foot soak, facial exfoliant, or dry hair shampoo.
- Combine 1 Tbs. Baking Soda, 1 drop Lavender Essential Oil, and ¼ tsp. Jojoba Oil for a more gentle facial exfoliant.
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