There are certain DIY enthusiasts that lunge at the opportunity to make all sorts of beauty and cleaning products. From shampoos and detergents to toothpastes and facial masks, the DIY world can be quite extensive. There are people who only want to tiptoe in the DIY waters, though, making one or two simple recipes. If you fall into that group, the one-ingredient masks in this article are for you.

Whether you have dry, oily, or great skin, there are one-ingredient face masks that benefit all skin types. They are quite gentle, making them great for anyone who has sensitive skin. One of the greatest parts is that there is minimal prep time. No double boilers, melting wax, infusing oils, or purchasing rare butters. In fact, it’s safe to assume that you probably have a few of these ingredients in your house already. 

The world of DIY can be very simple. It doesn’t mean that you have to search far and wide for rare herbs or head into the forest for forbidden sap. The following one-ingredient beauty masks epitomize simplicity, and the best part is that they all benefit the skin.

Manuka Honey

Raw, organic unfiltered honey is beneficial for the skin as it is a natural humectant. That means that it attracts moisture to the skin and helps to keep it there. The best honey to use topically on the skin is Manuka honey, which comes from the Manuka tree. Native to New Zealand and eastern Australia, the Manuka tree produces small flowers and the honey that bees make from it can do wonders for the skin. When you apply Manuka honey to the skin, it draws water molecules into the stratum corneum, the top layer of the skin. If you notice that dry flakes start to accumulate on the skin, lather a thin layer of Manuka honey on your face and leave it on for 10-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Yogurt

Before you open a random yogurt container, it’s best to choose plain, full-fat Greek yogurt for best results. This type of yogurt is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Lactic acid is also a chemical exfoliant that gently removes dead skin cells and contributes to a brighter complexion. Full-fat Greek yogurt also contains B-complex vitamins, including B5, which helps to nourish the skin. Yogurt is also rich in probiotics that help enhance the skin’s microbiome. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a soothing ingredient that you can easily apply to the skin. Mainstream beauty companies love aloe and you can commonly find it in many skin care products. Most people resort to aloe after experiencing a bad sunburn, but you can easily whip up a face mask with aloe. If you desire, you can incorporate other ingredients from your kitchen to enhance the benefits, but that is completely optional. Purchase 100% pure aloe juice at the store or use a fresh aloe plant if you have access to one. Aloe vera exhibits lots of antibacterial properties and helps accelerate wound healing, which is great for anyone dealing with acne. Apply aloe juice or gel to your skin and rinse with warm water after 10 minutes. 

Colloidal Oats

We do owe you an apology because this beauty mask contains two ingredients. You have to add purified water to the colloidal oats in order to form a paste that you can apply to the skin. Please forgive us! Due to the high antioxidant content, colloidal oats exhibit significant anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal oats contain avenanthramides, which are a group of phenolic alkaloids that are particularly beneficial for reducing itchiness and inflamed skin. If you experience irritated skin, mix enough water with colloidal oats to form a paste and apply it to the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. 

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This week, The Hairy Arm Chef shows us how to make Raw Vegan Cashew Yogurt Parfait!

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Your skin faces new challenges every day, from environmental pollutants to stressful situations. There’s no reason not to pamper yourself and treat your skin like the royalty that it is. We know it’s hard to look at your skin and say, “Wow, it sure does look amazing,” but that was before you had an article about hydrating, nourishing, two-ingredient face masks. 

If you don’t cleanse your skin, bacteria, oils, and dead skin cells can build up on the surface, causing blemishes, wrinkles, acne, and more. Other factors, including poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and UV radiation, also damage the skin. Even though the face masks in this article can improve skin health, it’s imperative to address skin health from all angles. You’ll find effective, two-ingredient mask recipes below. 

#1: Avocado And Raw Honey

Raw honey is rich in antibacterial properties that help fight back against blemishes. If you find that you are prone to breakouts, honey is an excellent ingredient for your skin. When you apply avocados on the skin, it absorbs the iron, zinc, vitamin E, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which keeps your skin nourished and taut. 

How To Make It

Mix the meat of one avocado with one tablespoon of raw honey. Apply this mixture on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Pat your face dry. 

#2: Yogurt And Turmeric

If you have oily skin, this mask is about to save your life. Both the turmeric and the yogurt work to deep clean your pores, getting rid of impurities and dead skin cells. In doing so, your skin will have a clearer, brighter glow. 

How To Make It

Mix two tablespoons of plain yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder in a small bowl. Apply this to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. 

#3: Papaya And Lemon Juice

Papaya is one of the richest sources of vitamin A, but we’re here to talk about papain, which helps to remove dead skin cells. Papain also has a rejuvenating effect when applied to the skin. Additionally, the alpha hydroxyl acids contribute to a more youthful glow. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which encourages the production of healthy skin cells and reduces dark spots. 

How To Make It

Add about 1/4 cup of papaya to a blender and puree it. Take one tablespoon of that papaya puree and mix it with four drops of fresh lemon juice. Apply it to your face, let is sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse with cold water and pat dry.

#4: Olive Oil And Raw Honey

Honey is great for the skin because it is a humectant, meaning it increases the skin’s natural water content and helps to reduce dryness. Olive oil actually leaves your skin brighter after you apply it because it increases cell turnover. Basically, this mask is perfect for anyone with dry skin.

How To Make It

Add three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and one tablespoon of raw honey to a small bowl and mix well. Warm in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds. When it is a comfortable temperature to the touch, apply it to your face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

#5: Cacao Powder And Coconut Oil

No, this is not a dessert. Raw cacao powder is an underutilized ingredient in skin care routines, but it actually contains vitamin B5, which helps to promote a youthful glow. The theobromine in raw cacao powder helps to improve skin composition and adds a lifting effect. The coconut oil is excellent for adding moisture to the skin, but it also helps to exfoliate and nourish the epidermis (surface skin layer). 

How To Make It

Combine one tablespoon of raw cacao powder with one teaspoon of coconut oil in a small bowl. Apply it to the skin and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash the mask off with warm water and pat dry. 

#6: Aloe Vera And Tea Tree Oil

Say goodbye to acne when you start using this anti-acne face mask. Both tea tree oil and aloe vera have antibacterial properties that help reduce the size of blemishes. Aloe vera also hydrates the skin and contains nutrients that work to smooth out the skin, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. 

How To Make It

Add 1/4 cup of fresh aloe vera and five drops of tea tree oil to a bowl and mix well. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and then pat dry. Note that you can also use this mixture as a spot treatment, but leave it on overnight if you do that. 

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If you have never had hemp seed yogurt, you are in for a treat. Hemp seeds are loaded with tons of nutrients! In fact:

• Hemp seeds contain all nine essential amino acids
• They are high in dietary fiber
• Hemp seeds are 33% protein
• Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3s
• They are 35% essential fatty acid (omega3, 6, 9, and GLA)

Add the berries into the mix and you are consuming a hearty, antioxidant-rich breakfast!

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As long as you have a powerful high-speed blender or a reliable food processor, it is very easy to make non-dairy yogurt at home. When you make your own yogurt, you control the ingredients, so there’s no funny business or mystery dyes/flavors that are in the recipe. This yogurt is unsweetened and it should be similar in taste to unsweetened Greek yogurt.

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If you need to improve the health of your gut, health experts always encourage you to eat more probiotics. These beneficial bacteria, which naturally occur in the gut, can improve immune function, optimize nutrient absorption, and increase cognitive function. Above all else, probiotics are necessary for optimal digestion.

When you include more probiotics in your diet, you can experience a wide range of health benefits. A review of several studies found that people who consumed probiotic-rich foods daily experienced a reduction in cholesterol levels and allergy symptoms. And the great thing about probiotics is that you don’t have to buy fancy supplements! In fact, most nutritionists advise against probiotic supplements and encourage the consumption of probiotic-rich foods, especially fermented foods. 

How Many Probiotic Foods Do You Consume?

There is no definitive answer because each person’s microbiome is unique. The general guideline is that people should consume a wide variety of fermented foods every day. The reason for this is because the process of fermentation promotes beneficial enzymes, nutrients, and species of healthy bacteria. Start consuming the following probiotic foods and your gut will thank you.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and it contains more organic acids than probiotics. Why should you eat it? Well, those organic acids support the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Sauerkraut is also rich in lactobacillus, a natural lactic acid bacteria, and beneficial digestive enzymes. 

Kimchi

Kimchi is a staple side dish in Korean cuisine, and people make it with gochujang, a spicy paste made from fermented soybeans and salt. Bok choy, Napa cabbage, and a variety of garlic and peppers are the classic ingredients in kimchi. According to a 2014 study, daily kimchi consumption helped reduce the risk of constipation, obesity, and cancer. The same study also found that it improved brain and immune function. 

Natto

Most sushi restaurants serve natto sushi because it is very popular in Japanese cuisine. Natto is fermented soybean paste that contains Bacillus subtilis, a powerful probiotic that offers incredible support to the cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. Another reason to consume natto is because it contains nattokinase, an anti-inflammatory enzyme has been scientifically proven to prevent blood clotting. 

Kefir

Think of kefir as the more powerful, tangier cousin to yogurt. To make kefir, milk is seeded with kefir grains, which are actually tiny bundles of bacteria and yeast. Then you let the milk sit and it ferments into a tart drink that is rich in beneficial probiotics. Several studies found that drinking kefir reduced allergy symptoms and gastrointestinal distress. 

Miso

A lot of people are aware of miso soup, which is possible because of miso paste, a fermented paste of soybeans, rice, or barley. Miso paste is rich in colony forming units, making it an excellent source of naturally-occurring probiotics. You can add miso to salad dressings, marinades, or use it to make the classic miso soup.

Tempeh

This is another fermented soybean product, and it is commonly used as a meat substitute in vegan or vegetarian meals. You get tempeh by adding tempeh starter to soybeans and allowing it to ferment for one or two days. You can grill it, sauté it, bake it, and marinate it. 

Kombucha

There has been an uptick in kombucha sales in recent years, due to the gut-healing benefits that come with drinking it. That isn’t to say that kombucha is a new, revolutionary beverage; rather, it has been around for over 2,000 years, originating near Japan. The fermentation of black tea starts by using a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). There are many flavors, which have a mildly sour taste because of the fermentation. Many reports claim that drinking kombucha regularly helps to increase energy levels, promote liver detoxification, and support digestive function.

Beet Kvass

This isn’t popular in the American diet, but people commonly drink it in Eastern Europe. It originated in Russia and used to have a similar fermentation process to beer, only kvass used stale rye bread in place of barley. Beet Kvass, however, uses beets as the starch source and whey to accelerate the lacto-fermentation process. The longer you let the beets ferment, the more the flavor develops. Beets already contain beneficial fiber that supports healthy digestion, and fermenting them only enhances these properties. 

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People who shave on a regular basis are all too familiar with two things: razor burn and ingrown hairs. There’s nothing more annoying than irritating ingrown hairs, which are curly hairs that get trapped under the skin. They can get infected with pus, become red and irritated, and can leave small scars if you continue to pick at them.

Who Gets Ingrown Hairs?

Both men and women can develop ingrown hairs. Men and women with thick hair growth commonly experience them, primarily from incorrect waxing, tweezing, or reverse shaving. It’s also possible to develop ingrown hairs if you wear tight clothing or clothing made from lycra and other synthetic materials. 

Quick Tips To Prevent Or Get Rid Of Ingrown Hairs

• Always exfoliate (especially before you shave)
• Keep the skin moisturized and clean
• Apply ice/cold water after shaving
• Do not reverse shave or wax
• Do not irritate an existing ingrown by repeated shaving
• Wear loose clothing to let your skin breathe
• Use tea tree oil, apple cider, vinegar, and other natural ingredients

Don’t let ingrown hairs affect your self-confidence. They don’t own your life and you can use a variety of natural remedies to get rid of them. Use the following DIY scrubs and say goodbye to those unsightly ingrown hairs.

DIY Brown Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2.5 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 4 teaspoons raw organic honey
• 5 drops tea tree oil
• 7 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the brown sugar to a wide-mouthed jar.
• Pour in the jojoba oil and honey and mix well. Once those ingredients are thoroughly combined, mix in the remaining ingredients.
• Cover the jar and store in the refrigerator so it lasts for a while.
• When ready to use, scoop out a tiny bit and rub on the affected area. Use daily in the shower to prevent ingrown hairs.

Tea Tree Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup virgin coconut oil, melted
• 10 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Spoon the mixture into a wide-mouthed jar, screw on the lid, and store in a cool, dry place.
• When ready to use, scoop out a tiny bit and rub on the affected area. This works best after you shave.

Coffee And Yogurt Scrub

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons coffee grounds
• 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil, melted
• the juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix well.
• Spoon the mixture into a wide-mouthed jar and store in the fridge to keep fresh.
• When ready to use, use a thumbnail-sized amount on the affected area. Rinse it off with warm water after leaving it on for one minute.

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In case you haven’t noticed, we have an affinity for raw cashews. Their versatility makes them the perfect ingredient to blend into raw sauces, dressings, raw cheese spreads, and even raw cheesecake. We’re blown away by the flavor of this cashew-based yogurt, which is sweet, tart, and perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack.

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We just took breakfast to a whole other level by taking our beloved cashew yogurt recipe and turning it into a scrumptious, filling parfait. While we used blueberries and raspberries, you can cut up some strawberries and bananas if you prefer that flavor combination.

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Cashew yogurt is creamy, easy to make, and can have a varied flavor profile, depending on the ingredients you mix with it. We chose to incorporate 100% pure maple syrup to make this more of a breakfast dish, but you can always add fresh fruit to make it tropical.

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