Honey & Chia Seed Cleanser recipe

Are you aware of the effect microbeads in your some of your beauty products have on the environment? These tiny pieces of plastic are often used as exfoliants in a range of cleansers, face scrubs and toothpastes, and concern is mounting over the impact these microbeads (which are designed to wash down the drain but are not biodegradable) could be having on marine wildlife, which eventually end up in the food chain. They are now banned in the USA and hopefully UK and Europe will follow suit, and soon!

We like the natural skin recipes from green-beauty guru Deborah Burnes on the Well + Good website, especially the Honey & Chia Seed Cleanser. ‘A lot of people like microbeads because of the exfoliation, but they’re actually destroying the water ways,’ says Burnes. ‘Chia seeds still exfoliate (gently), and they have essential fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to your skin.’

Honey & Chia Seed Cleanser Recipe:

Makes: About 4 ounces
Time: 15 minutes (not including the time it takes to brew the tea)
Good for: All skin types

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tablespoons rooibos tea, prepared and cooled
1 Tbsp chia seeds
4 Tbsps honey
2/4 tsp lemon juice

Method:

1. In a small bowl, combine the tea and chia seeds and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Add the honey and lemon juice and mix well. If it’s too thick after a few hours when the chia seeds bloom, add another teaspoon of tea.
3. Transfer to a small airtight container.

Directions:

Wash your face with a 10 pence size amount of cleanser, rinse completely and use twice a day.
Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Interesting fact: Naturally caffeine-free, rooibos tea contains high levels of skin-loving vitamin C.