How to Moisturize With Items From Your Pantry

Shopping for cosmetics can be a lot of fun, especially in a high-end department store with the individualized attention from a beauty consultant who works on commission. Even trolling the aisles for anti-aging potions and stocking up at the drugstore is a pleasant way to while away a weekend afternoon. The outrageous markup on the products is no surprise, and rarely does anyone blink nowadays at spending over $60 for less than 1 oz. of a cream packaged in a plastic jar less than a 1/2 inch high and wide. Those tired of paying high prices for a product whose ingredients are unpronounceable may want to look in their pantry and use what is there to moisturize their skin.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Old pair of pajamas or sweats
• Avocados
• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• Bananas
• Shower cap

1. Avocados add moisture to dogs' skin, too. Start with the letter A for avocado. Also known as alligator pears, avocados are great for the face. In a bowl, mash up a (very) ripe avocado—a good use for one that may be a few days too old to eat—with a fork. Make sure all of it is mashed, and room temperature is best. Apply like a mask to a cleansed face. Lie down (face up!) for a minimum of 15 minutes. Use the time to meditate, listen to relaxing music or rest. Using a warm washcloth, remove avocado mask. Rinse face with warm water about 10 to 15 more times and then seal the pores with a couple of splashes of cold water.
   
   Extra bonus: Dogs that eat avocados don’t suffer from dry, itchy skin and have silky, shiny fur. The avocados can be fattening, so make sure Fido doesn’t eat too many.
2. Spread on the mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is not just for sandwiches! Known for its amazing ability to soften the most brittle of hair, mayonnaise has been wedge-dividing couples into separate beds. And the mayonnaise users say it is worth it. It is best for an occasional hair conditioning treatment. Take a liberal amount of mayonnaise and plop on clean hair, wet or dry. Using your hands (gloves are an option, but think of the moisturizing cuticle treatment), massage mayonnaise through hair. Completely saturate, and then some, your hair. Put on a shower cap or some other waterproof headdress. Let the mayonnaise work its magic while you sleep. Wash out the next morning. Style as usual.
3. Uncork the olive oil. Olive oil is a wonderful all-body moisturizer (good for hair, too). The tricky part is the dispensing. Fill a pump dispenser with olive oil and use as you would a regular lotion. A little goes a long way—it’s okay to be frugal. Vegetable oil works well, too, but olive oil is better.
4. Bananas are good for the hair and the body. Monkey around with some bananas. Start with one banana, the riper the better, and whip or puree it. Slowly rub it into joints: knees, elbows, ankles, fingers, toes and the rest. The warmth of the hands helps it penetrate the skin. Your body will shine. Banana also is good for the hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrate your body from within and drink plenty of water every day.
• It is suggested that the moisturizing be done at night, during or after bathing, and an old pair of pajamas or sweats be dedicated to wear after applying.
• Common sense dictates that if you are allergic to a certain item, do not use it.
• Don't use prepared guacamole for the avocado. The spices can burn.