Lemons

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I just discovered how useful a lemon can be to your skin. I used it as an exfoliate last night and woke up loving it! My skin feels smooth, even and healthy. Not only does it exfoliate but it helps close up large pores, it tones the skin and slows down the aging/wrinkling stage.

Here's the deal:
1) Cut a lemon in half
2) Squeeze the juice into a bottle, jar, container of some kind
3) Add a little bit of cold water (optional)
4) Use a cotton pad and soak it with the lemon juice
5) Apply cotton pad onto your face in a circular motion
6) Leave on for 10 minutes - or - leave it on over night
7) Wipe your face again in the morning as a toner (optional)

Caution: In case of allergies, do a sample patch on your skin first
Warning: It will sting a little (for about 2 mintues). 2-3 times per week is plenty. If you want to bleach your skin (I'm not recommending this - love the skin you're in), you may want to use it daily. If you burn easily, wear sunblock.

This method is great for people who have acne issues. It will draw out the pimples though but that's because it is cleaning up the face. I use it as an anti-aging (preventative) method LOL

That's a really good tip - I have used lemon as an astringent and it works well. (I'll have to do that again, now that you've mentioned it). Also, I really like Witch Hazel. Both lemon and Witch Hazel have a pleasant scent too. My skin is really, really pale so I need to use different products.

What's Witch Hazel?

Oh, Witch Hazel is an 'old remedy' that's still popular: extract from the flower Witch Hazel used mainly as an astringent. I especially like Witch Hazel because it's mild and works well as a toner (even 1st aid for minor cuts & bruises or apply to pierced ears instead of hydrogen peroxide). I buy a tinted day-time moisturiser made with Witch Hazel (my make-up). I do know you can buy Witch Hazel in the USA too. Try it out - you'll love it:
http://www.moneycrashers.com/what-is-wi ... -benefits/

I wonder if you can pick them wild..

Habitat: witch hazel is native to woodlands east of the Mississippi River.

Hardiness: Its range extends from Zone 4 to 9.

Light: Full sun to shade. Growth will be more compact and vigorous, and flowers will be more profuse in the sun.

Soil and pH: Rich, well drained soil is preferred but they can withstand heavy clay. Average garden pH will do fine. In the wild they are often found on acidic soils and can develop chlorosis (premature yellowing of the leaf blade) if the pH is too alkaline. Lowering the pH with iron sulfate will help prevent chlorosis.

Moisture: Once established, witch hazels are surprisingly drought tolerant. Their presence on the sandy soils of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has encouraged me to use witch hazels on berms and slopes without worry. If severely dry, supplemental watering will help.

Planting: Witch hazels are normally sold as balled-and-burlaped shrubs, although you can buy container grown shrubs. They are usually grown in clay and the wood is dense, so even a small plant can be heavy. Use caution with the root ball. Most of the fibrous roots are excluded and the ball will quickly crumble if handled roughly.

15 Uses for Witch Hazel

1. The big one: Spot and blemish control
Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many over-the-counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this, though.

2. Soothe and heal diaper rash

If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution (Dickinson's is good) with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

3. Shrink bags under the eyes

Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It's not an old wives' tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess. And that leads nicely to…

4. Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids
Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it's also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.

5. Varicose vein relief

Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

6. Soothe poison ivy and poison oak

Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.

7. Treat chicken pox blisters

A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of chicken pox blisters. And it's all-natural. Here's what to do:

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.

Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the chicken pox than traditional calamine lotion.

8. Heal your bruises faster

Been in a fight recently? Well, maybe not. But if you bang your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.

9. Soothe razor burn (and in some instances, prevent it)

The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Apply before or after shaving; it should certainly have an impact on your itchy red skin (and that includes ladies, too).

10. Treat and soothe a nasty sunburn

Healing damaged skin is one of witch hazel's specialties. But as sunburn is also a type of skin inflammation, witch hazel is ideal for treating this too (despite swelling not being obvious). Treating sunburn with witch hazel will lessen healing time and prevent the infamous skin peeling and flaking.

11. Treat dry skin

By applying witch hazel immediately after showering, you are locking in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.

12. Use to heal and soothe various cuts and bruises

Many chemists and pharmacists refer to witch hazel as nature's answer to Neosporin. Applying a dab of it will cleanse the cut, protects against infection, and encourage quicker healing of minor skin breaks.

13. Take the bite out of bug bites

With its anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel is ideal for treating bug bites. Just dab a little on the affected area.

14. Refresh tired eyes

NOT by squirting witch hazel in them, but by soaking a clean rag in witch hazel and cold water and placing the cold compress over your closed eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should be gone. If you've been doing a lot of crying, this can get you back to normal quickly.

15. Make your own deodorant

Witch hazel is often used in deodorants due to its natural skin-healing and skin-care properties. Here is a home-made recipe you may want to try.

How about Lemon Electricity?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY9qcDCFeVI[/youtube]

^ good video I've made a potato clock! OK, the downside of Witch Hazel is that is might not have any other practical value......