DIY: Homemade Natural Beauty Products

Save money and avoid harsh chemicals with these simple masks and conditioners using fresh ingredients.

Any woman can tell you that maintaining youth and beauty isn't easy...or cheap. You can spend hundreds of dollars for a head of luxuriously silky hair and smooth, flawless skin. Of course Sprouts does boast an entire section dedicated to natural skin, hair, and beauty products, but you'll also find skin and hair care secrets in unlikely places, like the produce bins and grocery shelves.

Recipes for Radiance

The aisles of Sprouts abound with items that can really pack a one-two punch. Avocados for guacamole and dry skin? Honey for your tea and shiny hair? And maybe even a little egg on your face? Turns out that a trip to Sprouts can not only tame a growling stomach...it can also help keep your skin glowing and your hair more manageable.

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense because some of the most effective skin and hair care products on the shelves contain ingredients found naturally in food sources. Lactic acid, for example, is a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid found in yogurt and other fermented dairy products; it's often found in skincare products to help smooth and moisturize. Similarly, the treatment menus at upscale spas feature facials and peels made from fruits and vegetables prized for their antioxidants and enzymes.

Here are some fascinating tips for ways to use food as body care products -- with the bonus that these special brews and goos are chemical-free and eco-friendly.

Avocado Mask for Dry Skin

Smash half an avocado until smooth. Add one egg white and mix well. Apply mixture to clean, damp skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Gently wipe off with wet washcloth and warm water.

Avocados are rich in the good fats (monosaturated), plus vitamins B, E, and amino acids, so they are great for a healthy diet and are also beneficial when applied topically. This mask will replenish and moisturize dry skin.

Yogurt Mask

For a refreshing and toning mask, smooth plain yogurt on your face and neck. Leave on skin for 20 minutes and then rinse with cool clean water. We recommend Greek-style yogurt for the super thick and rich consistency that is less drippy than conventional varieties.

Yogurt contains lactic acid and enzymes that can help slough away dead cells, leaving skin bright and refreshed. Yogurt is mild so it's safe for everyday use, even on sensitive skin.

Pineapple Power Mask

Add ½ cup fresh pineapple chunks to three tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Mix ingredients in a blender until smooth. Apply a thin layer to face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with clean, cool water.

The pineapple contains enzymes to help clear away dry, dead skin while the olive oil nourishes and moisturizes. Skin will feel supple, smooth and smelling like the tropics!

(Recipe courtesy of azspagirls.com)

Honey Hair Rinse

Combine a teaspoon of honey with four cups of warm water. Mix until honey is dissolved (blondes may wish to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added brightness). Pour mixture through freshly shampooed, wet hair. Do not rinse. Dry as usual.

(Recipe courtesy of National Honey Board)

Scary Hair Repair Mask

Mash half a ripe avocado with ½ cup of mayonnaise. Blend well until smooth. Apply the mixture to clean, dry hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave in for 20 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and condition as usual.

This treatment is great for dry, unruly (aka "scary") hair. The fats from both the avocado and mayonnaise will penetrate the hair shaft to hydrate and add shine. Hair will be left feeling softer and more manageable.

(Recipe courtesy of azspagirls.com)

For more delicious skin and hair remedies, visit azspagirls.com.