Part II: Top 10 items (& DIY recipes) to have at home for chemical-free, low-cost living

Here it is.. Part II of the top 10 items to have at home for natural - chemical free and cost-effective living. Remember this piece will not only give you insight into the use of these items but also the preservation of them (where needed). (Click on bold, blue text for product recommendations off Amazon)

Disclaimer: As with any skin care regimen, always do a test patch first to see if your skin is allergic to any of the ingredients. Results can vary from person to person. Please discontinue use if your skin does not react well to the regimen.

Read, enjoy & please leave feedback if you've tried any of these recommendations - or ideas for more items to add to the list!

COCONUT OIL

I came across coconut oil 6 years ago via a friend's post on Instagram - ever since then it has changed my life - when it comes to my health, beauty, skincare & haircare. Coconut oil can also be used to replace cooking oil in the kitchen & it is a lot lighter and healthier. It is confirmed to have several health benefits; boosts heart health, increases (good) cholesterol and increases fat burning.

HAIR CARE:

If used correctly, coconut oil can treat dry hair to bring back shine. It is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. Vitamin E has natural antioxidant properties which can promote your scalp's health and fighting against dandruff or lice (it does not kill head lice but it can be used to prevent the return of it after successful treatments).

This concoction has personally worked well for me to bring my hair back to life after being bleached & burnt by an unskilled hairdresser (warning: never allow anyone to bleach your hair under heat). It was a terrible experience and my hair was always dry and frizzy no matter what I did, but after consistently using this mix once a week on my hair I started to see it fall into place - literally. You can purchase it on our website and it will come with instructions too!

Sk Hair Fix Mask (50ml)
Brings back silk and shine to dry, damaged hair
Hair Fix Mask is the latest addition to the Hair Fix line of products. An oil mix carefully curated to bring back shine to dry damaged hair. Leaving the mask on before washing your hair will leave it feeling slick and shiny with a layer of protection against UV rays and heat exposure. Hair Fix Mask has oils that contain vitamins and essential fatty acids which nourish the scalp and help to remove sebum build-up from hair follicles, so massaging it into your scalp will also be beneficial to stimulate hair growth. 

When you are ready brush out any knots in your hair and massage the mix into your hair with your head tipped down - this will increase the blood circulation and encourage hair growth. Leave this mix in your hair for 30 minutes or overnight. When you’re ready wash it out with your regular shampoo & conditioner. Do not avoid conditioning because you’ve used the oil. 

If your hair is damaged I’d recommend Olaplex Shampoo & Conditioner. My (new) hairdresser recommended this line and I still use them till this day. If you already have a shampoo routine that works for you - don't change it, just use the hair mask and see how your hair transforms.

TEETH WHITENING & ORAL HEALTH

The Vitamin E properties of coconut oil that I mentioned above is what makes it useful for teeth whitening. It fights the harmful bacteria in your mouth, reduces plaque build up and fights gum disease. Honestly, just putting some coconut oil in your mouth and swishing it about for 15-20 minutes like mouthwash then spitting it out can help with oral hygiene. This method is referred to as 'oil pulling' and is an Indian folk remedy that has been used for decades.

Here’s a teeth whitening routine that works with a combination of turmeric, another amazing ingredient for maintaining oral health (see other post for more health benefits of turmeric):

Mix together 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil at room temperature. You should get yourself an yellowish-orange paste ready to apply to your teeth. Get yourself a toothbrush (separate to the one you use daily) and brush the paste onto your teeth in circular motion. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse it out. You can then brush your teeth using your regular toothpaste to leave your mouth feeling fresh. I would recommend repeating this once a week to see results.

BODY BUTTER

Combining coconut oil and a few other ingredients that are rich in Vitamin E can create an amazing body butter to help tackle stretch marks and tighten your skin. Vitamin E helps to fade stretch marks, supports new cell growth and revs up cell regeneration. This ingredients will give you enough cream to fill two of these 200ml aluminium tin jars.

For this concoction you'll need:

100% raw coconut oil

100% raw cocoa butter

100% raw shea butter

Naissance sweet almond oil

Vitamin E capsules

Vanilla extract (or anything to add a few droplets for a nice scent)

Use two bowls, the bottom one with hot water and top one for the ingredients, heat up the 6 tbspns of coconut oil, 2 tbspns of sweet almond oil,  3 tbspns of the shea butter & 2 tbspns of cocoa butter. As soon as it has melted remove the bowl from the hot water and leave it in the fridge to cool down. Once you can see that the mix is turning solid take it back out. Then whip the mix until you get a soft paste. Finally, lastly add 2 tspns of Vitamin E oil and a few drops of vanilla extract. 

Early studies have shown that coconut oil can be used to boost brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease & it can also be used to prevent eczema or protect skin from damage. There are several body butters that can be made using coconut oil for everyday use at home. It’s a great way to keep your skin looking and feeling great! Can't wait to get your hands on one? Try this Raw Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

ALOE VERA GEL

Aloe vera is another one of those amazing ingredients which is rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can be used for skin, teeth & hair - just like coconut oil, but it has to be used and preserved correctly to be most effective.

To get the best use out of aloe vera gel I would invest in an aloe vera plant. It’s a great indoor plant, but I would be cautious on where it is placed if you have toddlers around the house. If you can’t wait and want to get your hands on some aloe vera gel straight away, you can go to your local pharmacy or health & beauty store, or you can purchase PraNaturals Pure AloeVera Gel off Amazon - I have not used it myself but the reviews seem great. Please remember to always patch-test first before using large amounts.

Aloe Vera Gel can be used for the following as aftercare treatments for waxing, sunburn or to soothe minor burns. Some also use Aloe Vera to soothe skin after a rash or eczema outbreak.

ALOE VERA PLANT:

To cut off a leaf from an aloe vera plant you would go for the outermost leaves on the plant & the biggest ones first - they are the most mature ones with the largest amount of gel. You would use a knife or a sharp blade and cut as close to the base as possible.

Once you have the leaf you would slice it down the middle so you have access to the gel on both halves. Then start scooping out the gel using a spoon and place it in a mixer. You would blend the gel to get a more liquidised version, which is easier to apply to your hair. If you are using it for your face keep aside a smaller slice of the leaf to apply directly to your face - you do not need to blend it beforehand.

HAIR CARE:

Similar to a few other ingredients mentioned before, Aloe Vera gel’s anti-inflammatory properties enable it to help reduce scalp irritation and possibly prevent dandruff. On top of that Aloe Vera also has vitamins C, E, B-12, folic acid, and choline content that can help nourish and strengthen hair.

Apply the blended Aloe Vera gel onto your hair using your hands (wash them first). You can apply this all over your hair starting with the scalp and working your way down. Keep going until you’ve finished all the product. Leave it overnight, making sure you cover your hair with a scarf or leave it in braids to protect your pillow case. Wash it out in the morning and leave your hair feeling silky smooth.

SKIN CARE:

Aloe Vera gel has proven to have anti-aging effects on the skin. It is proven to increase collagen production and skin-elasticity, hence keeping the skin feeling firm and smooth.

As for the face mask you can keep a smaller part of  the leaf aside (about the size of your palm) and when you’re ready cut it down the middle. Wash your face with luke-warm water and let it dry before applying the gel. Then take both slices of the leaf and rub it on your face in circular motion. You can leave this on overnight and wash it off in the morning to feel a difference.

If you find yourself left with excessive amounts of Aloe Vera gel, you can store it in an ice-cube tray in the freezer for later use, and incase of an emergency you can use this cube directly on your skin to soothe & heal burns. My sister never leaves for a holiday without Aloe Vera gel in her suitcase and she never regrets it.

BLACK SEED OIL

One of my most recent discoveries is black seed oil, so I had to include it in this post - it also forced me to do more research into its benefits and other uses. I have mostly been using black seed oil for my hair. 

Black seed oil (Cold pressed black seed oil) is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, which is a plant native to southwest Asia. One of its key components is thymoquinone - a component with antioxidant properties. Black seed oil is mostly used on its own and you will still be able to see results in a few days. It should always be freshly pressed and kept in an amber glass away from direct sunlight.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Research has shown that consuming a tiny bit of black seed oil orally can help ashmathic patients to reduce coughing, wheezing and lung function. It is proven to be beneficial for diabetes, high blood pressure/cholesterol or improving male fertility. If you don’t want to consume the liquid form of black seed oil you can find them as capsules (Black seed oil capsules).

SKIN CARE:

Just a few droplets of black seed oil on your face, massaged into your skin will help to naturally fight acne, clogged pores and inflammation. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that will also help to tame redness and soothe irritation, including eczema.

When used consistently black seed oil can fade dark spots caused by ageing, hormones or sun damage. This is due to the thymoquinone in the blackseed oil which disperses the pigmentation in the skin, thus reducing dark patches. Remember with these remedies - consistency is key - you may not see results straight away, but overtime with regular use you should see a positive change.

HAIR CARE:

I personally have loved using this oil for my hair. I’ve been able to feel it become a lot more volumized and fluffy. Since it is anti-inflammatory, it can help soothe the scalp and encourage regrowth in certain areas on your scalp. If you find that you have a bald patch or certain areas of your hair which may be thinning out, this is the perfect oil to use. Black seed oil has also been proven to kill lice and fungal infections, so it can be used to prevent head lice. 

You can use the black seed oil on its own or mix it with equal amounts of olive oil. When ready you would gently massage the black seed oil into your hair with your head tipped forward. Keep massaging your hair with the oil in small sections, making sure you focus on any bald spots. It may be time-consuming but you will see the benefits after a few hair washes. You can leave it for 30-40 minutes or overnight. If leaving it overnight make sure you wear a headscarf or something to protect your furniture/pillows. Wash your hair out with your normal shampoo & conditioner and leave it to dry. 

Black Seed Oil has become one of the main ingredients used in Sk Hair Fix products and the results have been amazing! Check out our Instagram page for before & after pictures and reviews @sk_hairfix. See our website (www.skhairfix.com) for more product info with the QUIZ which guides you on which package is the best one for you.

After a few tries, if you see this working - please leave a comment below. I love sharing things that work for me... the more feedback the better and hopefully more of us to wake up feeling amazing!

OATS

A lot of us are familiar with oats and how it’s probably one of the best meals we can have for breakfast, combined with some fruits & non-dairy milk. They’re gluten-free whole grain and provide a great source of vitamins and minerals. Oats can fulfil your appetite and help weight loss at the same time. It can also lower blood sugar levels and reduce risk of heart disease. So yes, oats are great to consume, but did you know you can also use them for your skin & hair. Since oats are also high in antioxidants, it can be used to maintain a healthy scalp and skin. I also love adding oats to my smoothie mix to enable me to consume it as a meal-replacement drink. A bulk order is ideal for oats, here's one I'd recommend: Quaker Oats Porridge sachets.

HAIR CARE:

If you have issues with greasy/oily hair and dandruff, then oats is what you need to bring into your hair care routine. Oats can be used in your hair to remove excess oil and soften the strands of your hair due to its richness in beta glucan. Oats can also be used in your hair to tame the frizz! It contains vitamin B which acts as humectants to keep the hair moisturised and fizz free.

Mix together warm water and oatmeal in the ratio 1:2 (for example 1 cup water and 2 cups oatmeal) You can make more or less of the mix depending on the length of your hair. Let the oatmeal soak in the water. The longer you leave it the better, 7-10 minutes is enough to get good results. You need to then find a way to filter the oatmeal out so you’re just left with the oatmeal milk - for this you can use a cheesecloth or a sieve. Apply this to your hair using a cotton pad or a spray bottle, starting from your roots and working your way to the bottom of your hair. You can let it sit for 30-40 minutes. It’s fine to cover your hair with a plastic bag if you're worried about getting furniture/your clothes wet. When you're ready, wash your hair out and continue your normal drying routine. You should feel that your hair is a lot more soft and shiny.

SKIN CARE:

A DIY face mask with oats can treat an acne breakout, remove dirt and undo skin damage. It can also heal acne caused by psoriasis eczema and naturally help any sort of irritation on your skin, that is why it is found in many facial products.

Mix together 2 tablespoons of oats with 5 tablespoons of warm water. Gently stir it together and let it sit for 3-5 minutes so you can extract all the properties from the oats. Then to get more out of this face mask you can add a tablespoon of baking soda (see other post for benefits). Stir this mix really well and set it aside for 5-7 minutes. Now you’re ready to apply it to your skin - make sure your face is free of any products by washing it with warm water. Then take a clean foundation brush and start applying the recipe to your face. 

It can get quite messy so make sure you’re near a tub/sink or have protected your clothes. You would want to apply 3 layers of the mask to get the most out of it. Focus on any breakout areas on your face. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using a warm cloth and wiping it all off. Then wash your face with cold water and apply your normal moisturiser. You should feel a difference straight away!

You can even use oats on your pups if they have sensitive skin. A good oat bath helps keep a dog’s coat calm and itch-free. Just grind the oats with some water and lather it onto your dogs coat as if it was shampoo, focusing on any sensitive areas, then wipe it off with a warm water cloth.

COFFEE BEANS

Who doesn’t like a good scrub? I’ve always felt in need of a face scrub once a week to get rid of any dead skin or built up residue from make-up. Coffee beans are great for a good face scrub and the best bit is you don’t need to go out of your way to purchase it. If you think you'd want to use organic coffee beans you can try Bird & Wild Medium Roast Ground Coffee.

SKIN CARE:

Coffee is rich in antioxidants and caffeine, and for that reason it is great to get rid of puffy eyes, dark circles and brighten up your skin. When applied to the skin coffee beans can also increase the production of collagen and elastin, thus making your skin tighter and making you look younger. These are two of my favourite face masks, but you can search some other DIY recipes online too. I particularly like this one because it helps remove pigmentation and dark circles & it is combined with turmeric which is one of my favourite natural face mask ingredients (see other post for benefits).

Mix together 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, 1 tablespoon of yoghurt and 1 tablespoon of turmeric. When you’re ready wash your face with warm water before using a clean foundation brush to apply the mix to your face. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and once you feel it drying up wash it off with warm water, while massaging your face to rejuvenate your skin. Then apply your normal moisturiser. 

For a good face scrub to get your skin glowing after a long week or stressful few days. You can use the following recipe:

Mix together ¼ tablespoon ground coffee and ¼ tablespoon melted coconut oil. Wash your face with warm water and apply the scrub to your face - massaging it into your skin in circular motion. Try to avoid getting the mix into your eyes, nose or mouth. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Then apply your normal moisturiser and you’ll feel an instant glow. You can increase the quantities of the mix to have enough for a nice home-made body scrub to use in the shower too!

There we go.. Those are the other 5 ingredients you can have at home and use to keep your skin, hair and health feeling cleansed and revitalised. Of course you'll find these ingredients in hair and skin care products in store but you'd rather make your own recipes to make sure you get target certain areas and avoid any skin reactions.. bonus is keeping it cheap and cheerful!

Remember to leave a comment or feedback if you use any of these recipes. Share your experience!