Make Your Own Health and Beauty Products

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

22 May 2006 04:40 AM

Do the costs of toiletries and other health and beauty aids really add up at your house? If so, you can learn to make your own or incorporate some substitutions that will save you lots of money.

Make Your Own Exfoliate

Make a paste from baking soda and a few drops of mild liquid soap. Rub onto rough knees, elbows, or heels, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. You can use baking soda as a facial scrub as well, but apply gently.

Try Petroleum Jelly

A generic container of petroleum jelly costs about $1.00 as compared to the high prices of fancy lotions and potions for dry skin. Rub petroleum jelly onto knees, elbows, hands, or feet, and cover with cotton gauze (or socks or gloves) overnight. In the morning, your skin will be as soft as a baby's skin. Repeat as necessary. Petroleum jelly also works great as a lip balm or lip-gloss.

Replace Pricey Toners and Cleansers with Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel costs about $1.00 at the pharmacy or grocery store. It is one of the main ingredients found in pricey name brand astringents, which can be used for everything from deep cleaning your face to treating minor skin irritations. Witch Hazel can also be used as a personal cleanser rather than hemorrhoid wipes.

Dish Washing Liquid or Hand Soap?

Is that antibacterial dish washing liquid you're using the same thing as the liquid hand soap in your bathroom? There generally isn't much difference between the two, and you'll even find packages that list both uses on the label. You can purchase an extra large bottle (about twice the size of your usual dish soap and about three times the size of your regular hand soap) for $1.50 at Dollar General Store. Wal-Mart offers a similar product for a few cents more. Refill your hand soap dispenser and then use the remainder for dishes.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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