by Julie Gabriel

Created on: January 19, 2009

Here are ten amazing natural ingredients that you can use to make your own beauty products right in your kitchen for a fraction of a price.

1. Vegetable glycerin

This is a commonly available humectant that locks up moisture in your skin by attracting water molecules from the outside environment. Vegetable glycerin can be used in any homemade skin preparations, and it's a great addition to any ready-made body lotion. Look for kosher grade vegetable glycerin, ideally made from organically grown, non-GMO plants.

2. Epsom salt

An excellent base for a coarse body exfoliating scrub, Epsom salt can tighten and purify skin when dissolved in a warm, relaxing bath. It does wonders to your mind as it draws toxins from your body. Buy magnesium-rich Epsom salt in large bags and make a lifting, detoxifying salty bath your numero uno beauty treatment before an important date or simply before a night out!

3. Witch hazel

A gorgeous multitasker available from any grocery store will refresh your senses in a traffic jam, will sanitize your hands after any contact with germs, zap zits when applied directly onto skin, and will combat body odors when carried around in a handy small spray bottle, best if blended with a couple of drops of sandal wood and petit grain essential oils.

4. Fango clay/volcanic mud

I am not a huge fan of green and blue clays, for they are salts of aluminum, and numerous studies show that aluminum salts and basically all aluminum compounds aren't the health-friendliest chemicals out there. In fact, recent research points out that aluminum promotes free radical damage and may contribute to breast cancer formation. Fango mud and algae-based clays combine the skin-purifying action of clay with fat-melting effects of algae. A seaweed wrap and a clay treatment in one bottle - sounds good to me!

5. Green tea extract

If you choose just one skin cancer preventative, make it green tea extract. Catechins from green tea are proven to ward off free radicals that cause DNA mutations in skin cells and they work well when applied topically and taken internally. So for ultimate UV protection add purified green tea extract to your body lotion and sip green ice tea any time you plan to sun bathe! Besides, green tea phytochemicals are known to combat acne and ease the misery of eczema.

6. Castille soap

Saponified olive oil makes a versatile face, body, and hair cleanser. Castille soap with its centuries-tested formulation that is low in alkali and based upon antioxidant-rich olive oil

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