About a year ago at the IIN conference in Miami, one of the girls I was staying with told me she was in her 30s. I was shocked – she looked about 24! Immediately, I wanted answers – what does this girl use on her skin!? Well, her answer was “I make my own facial scrubs at home – and I moisturize my face with almond oil.”
This was my first true introduction to the power of natural beauty products. Since then, I’ve learned that all natural products can make a huge difference in the health of our bodies. What goes ON our bodies is just as important as what goes IN! Read my Green Beauty FAQ here.
Recently I received an awesome book on this very topic — Nature’s Beauty Secrets by Dawn Gallagher.
Dawn has traveled the world and collected natural beauty recipes from the world’s best spas — with ingredients you can use from your own kitchen! The pictures are gorgeous, the recipes are super easy to follow – and the at-home beauty treatments are much less expensive than the pricey, chemical-laden cosmetics so many people are buying!
In Nature’s Beauty Secrets, you’ll find recipes for face + body scrubs, masks, the best oils for your skin, aromatherapy, solutions for tired eyes, soft hands and feet, lifestyle tips and more. I read the entire thing cover-to-cover and I know I’ll be keeping this book on hand and trying tons of the recipes. My NYC apartment just became an at-home spa. :)
That being said, I couldn’t recommend this book to you guys without trying something first! I made the Green Tea Scrub (green tea, sugar and lemon juice) and have been using it to exfoliate my skin for the last couple of weeks. All I can say is WHOA! My skin feels so smooth and clean after using this scrub – and it’s crazy easy to make! So – I highly recommend this book if you’re thinking of venturing into the world of natural beauty treatments. It’s worth it!
THE BEST PART? Because I loved the book so much, I am giving away a free copy to one Healthy Crush reader!!
Post a comment in the comments section below telling me YOUR favorite natural beauty secret, treatment or remedy.
***UPDATE**** The winner has been chosen!
“My favorite at home beauty secret is that instead of a regular toner, I use apple cider vinegar with a mixture of warm water. Store it in a water bottle and be sure to shake it up before using it! I have seen a remarkable difference in my skin.” – Mary Katherine
CONGRATS, Mary Katherine….and thanks for the great tip!! Enjoy your free copy of Nature’s Beauty Secrets!
xox
Read more about Dawn Gallagher here!
Purchase a copy of Nature’s Beauty Secrets here!
rosalinda says
My favorite natural beauty secret by far is organic coconut oil! I am sooo addicted. I use it as a deep conditioning treatment in my hair, i use it as a makeup remover and as an amazing moisturizer for my body, it makes skin amazingly soft. i cannot live without it!
Lauren Musick says
My favorite at-home natural beauty secret: a Brown sugar and olive oil scrub! 1 cup brown sugar; 3 tablespoons olive oil; a splash of water – that is it! The best part is that it smells delicious.
Kim Augsburger says
My favorite hair treatment is a clarifying rinse of 1 C. Apple Cider Vinegar + 20 drops Peppermint Oil – Removes all dead skin/product buildup on the scalp!!!
Mary Katherine says
My favorite at home beauty secret is that instead of a regular toner, I use apple cider vinegar with a mixture of warm water. Store it in a water bottle and be sure to shake it up before using it! I have seen a remarkable difference in my skin. Plus I have dry skin, so after I use it, my skin isn’t tight!
Stevie Miller says
I really love using coconut oil or almond oil
in place of lotions. Works great, all natural,
and you smell wonderful as well!!!
Ana says
Dry skin brushing!! AMAZING for a soft face then moisturized with coconut oil :)
Sara Streeter says
My favorite body scrub is made with a mix of brown sugar, sea salt, grapeseed and almond oil, and a touch of vanilla extract. I also use natural oils on my face and body instead of lotions/creams.
Nicole says
Raw, Organic Honey! Makes a YUMMY cleanser or mask! Helps remove impurities from the skin & keeps moisture in! Whether you’re prone to blemishes or experiencing dryness, this is a lovely addition to your at-home skincare regimen. =)
Mercedes says
Favorite treatments: Water! Drinking lots of water and supplementing with fish oil…. beauty from the inside out!
Favorite secret: Smile!! Everybody looks beautiful wearing a smile.
nicole says
favorite face wash is raw honey followed by coconut oil.
Faith says
I have to echo some of the other comments- coconut oil rocks!
Andrea says
I love infusing Epsom salts with essential oils. I then put a cup of essential oil epsom salts in bath with warm water. The magnesium in the salts help muscles recover from a good workout and reduces overall stress. I recommend drawing the bath before bed then follow with a self massage with sesame oil. You will get the best beauty sleep! Good morning gorgeous!
Jennifer says
My favorite natural beauty treatment is: White sugar and olive oil scrub for your face. Mix together in the palm of your hand, apply to face. Use a washcloth damp with warm water and rub the scrub into face gently in small circles. Rinse off. Baby soft skin!
Jennifer says
Another one, as I read there are a few people with the same (or close) tip. I use exfoliating gloves in the shower every day. I scrub my whole body and it is heaven. My skin is super soft!
Jessica says
I make a face oil out of jojoba oil. I add lavender and geranium essential oils. I have always had blemishes and oily skin. This simple remedy has kept my skin beautiful for the last two years!
Elizabeth says
Coconut oil is the only thing I have put on my skin a long time! I also like doing a mask with raw honey, banana, or avocado. Sometimes I mix in some chia seeds for a little exfoliation when I wash it off. Nature gives us everything we need!
Bevin says
My favorite beauty secret is a mask made of honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. It exfoliates leaving your skin soft and smooth while the spices also help with redness and puffiness around eyes. A bonus is tht it smells (and tastes :)) good too!
Amy says
I’ve never tried any natural beauty secrets, treatments, or remedies…..that’s why I need this book!!! But I will be trying some of these!
Angela Heard says
I use pure coconut oil every night all over my body. Face too. It is great for moisturizing plus acts as a antifungal. Great for those that work out and shower frequently. Love love love it.
Erika says
I DEFINITELY love me some coconut oil! My mom bought me this amazing all-natural coconut, sugar & sea salt scrub that makes my skin super soft. It’s my favorite beauty item!
Kerry says
I also love coconut oil for just about everything, and raw honey + sugar is a great scrub.
Also if you’re traveling and your skin is freaking out, just grab a sugar packet from a restaurant and use it as a scrub in the shower!
Ida Clay says
I love coconut oil! It is so wonderful for hair and skin :) Also, vinegar is good for dry scalp and sunburns.
Tara Cole says
Thanks for saying I look 24! :) xo
Kaite says
I love using a nutmeg, cinnamon and honey mask! I mix 2 tablespoons of honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of nutmeg. I like to relax and it soak in for 30 minutes or so before rinsing it off with warm water.
Severn says
I agree with everyone raving about coconut oil! It is an amazing moisturizer/hair conditioner/make up remover. I use it in my favorite body scrub too:
1 cup organic brown cane sugar
2 tbsp pure coconut oil
2 drops pure vanilla extract
Lather it on in the shower, smells amazing and leaves skin incredibly soft!
Thank you for spreading awareness about green beauty products!
Cortnie says
Coconut oil as a body moisturizer is pretty great! I also like to use honey as a simple face mask and raw apple cider vinegar as a hair clarifying treatment.
Jamie says
Aloe Vera Plant! I’ve used aloe vera since I was a little girl, on cuts, burns, hair, and facial masks. I really believe using aloe vera has maintained my skin looking so young. I’ll be 36 in 1 month and people still think I’m in my 20s – woohoo!!
(Thank You Mom)
Bec says
Yoghurt has become my best friend! I use it to soothe sunburn and to also fade my freckles! It’s amazing x
Dawn says
Thank you so much for posting my book “Nature’s Beauty Secrets.” Please “LIKE” my facebook page “Nature’s Beauty Secrets” for more great natural beauty tips!
Dawn XO
Erica says
Coconut oil saved me from stretch marks during my pregnancy! I also love using aloe vera on my face as a oil-free moisturizer. And one of my favorite at-home masks’ main ingredient is pumpkin purée!
Laura says
I use apple cider vinegar to maintain clear skin.
Mimo says
Hello, best wishes everyone!
I just borrowed Nature’s Beauty Secrets from the library and read it today. I hope to win the book so I can have a copy easily available and try out the amazing beauty recipes in this book. It looks so delicious to eat too! :) I enjoyed the section of the book about Visualization, and being at inner peace. My natural beauty secret is I like to use beewax moisturizer on my hands. It is great! Keeps in the moisturizer, a great sealant.
Thank you :)
Kristin Van says
Jenny- My favorite home remedy is essential oil! I burn rosemary because of it’s calming effects. It also works against fatigue, sadness, anxiety, calming muscle soreness, digestive pains and also, indigestion caused by stress.
I also love to create my own pillow mist! Here’s an easy mix!
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon witch hazel
4 -5 drops lavender oil
alyssa weldon says
I am obsessed with natural beauty products! I have a couple favorites, coconut oil is my moisturizer and body lotion at all times! Lavendar is my fave ingredient in cleansers, it is so calming for those with sensitive skin. And neem seed oil, it smells awful but is amazing for your skin. If I get breakouts I just put it on before bed and wake up with clearer skin! It helps to build your skins immunity as well. :)
Rene Matheny says
I am giving you my favorite & simple Face moisture mask recipe. It is 1/2 a avocado & 1/4 cup honey. I mash the avocado then i blend in honey. Pat this on face and neck and even your hand if dry. I leave mine on about 10 minutes and hop in the shower or rinse off. You can adjust this and make it a scrub by adding brown sugar or crush Epsom salts to the recipe. I would so love this book. :-)
Rachel says
Sooooo, ever since this post I have been experimenting and came up with a great scrub! I put some raw almonds in the vitamix. Took them out and added some lemon juice, raw honey and a touch of tea tree oil for blemishes. This made for a super awesome scrub!
My other beauty secret is Kale. It makes my happy light glow. :)
rose says
my favorite natural beauty secret is fruit masks, it makes wonders. I use grapes, mango (fantastic emollient) and I don’t need to use synthetic AHA’S.
can I take my copy of the book now?
I was looking so much for this book and I couldn’t get it.