Many people today favour commercial skin cleaners such as shower gels, soaps or body and face washes. They are quick and easy to use, come ready prepared in containers with pretty packaging and smell of everything under the sun. They are very harsh and tip the pH balance of the skin acid mantle from acid to alkaline. They also strip away the natural oils and dry out the skin.

Every company makes its own claim about their merchandise. They tell us how theirs is the best on the market in helping us attain clean and healthy skin but some of the substances used in these cleansing products can irritate our delicate skin. We are exposed to over thirty cancer causing chemicals in our body care products, so it is worth checking how many ‘natural’ ingredients are actually in the cleanser.

There are many ways to clean the skin without using harmful elements. Nature is full of ingredients that are safe for us to apply on our skin. Many ingredients for natural cleansers are edible and readily available in shops and supermarkets.

Simple Body Cleanser

4 tablespoons chickpea flour/gram flour/garbanzo flour/besan
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Liquid to form a thin paste

Combine the dry ingredient and store in an unbreakable, airtight container and hydrate as required.

Turmeric is used to treat skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. Gram flour is ground dried chick peas and is an excellent exfoliator.

For a full body cleanse stand or sit in a bath tub or on an old towel and massage the paste all over the body including feet, hands and face. Rinse the paste off with warm water.

For an amazing facial, massage the paste all over your face and throat for a few minutes using your fingertips to get into the nooks and crannies. Rinse with tepid water until all the paste is washed away.

This simple cleanser will leave your skin feeling silky soft. It is non-irritating and will not dry out the skin. The turmeric will impart a subtle golden glow on the skin but make sure the paste is fully washed away or staining could occur.

Additional Cleansing Ingredients

To the gram flour and turmeric mixture, add a teaspoon of one or more of the ingredients listed below.

• Neem powder ~ acne, fungal infections, hives, burns, psoriasis (do not use while pregnant).
• Essential oils ~ a few drops of a favourite such as lemon, grapefruit, sandalwood, eucalyptus, rose.
• Base oils ~ jojoba, avocado, sunflower, almond, olive, vitamin E oil.
• Aloe Vera gel ~ soothing and cooling, sunburn, moisturizing.
• Powdered herbs and spices ~ cinnamon, cumin, chamomile, mint, fennel.
• Honey or natural yogurt.

The greatest gift you can give yourself is joy, not only because of the feeling that goes with it at the moment, but because of the magnificent experience it will draw to you. It will produce wonders in your life. ~ Jack Boland