How to get beautiful the natural way

August 19, 2004

BY CAROLYN BRUNDAGE

Compare your body to your car: Ever notice that even in the fairest summer weather, a layer of dirt and grime builds up leaving behind a dingy gray film that makes your chariot look less than appealing?

Every day, our skin faces a similar barrage of assailants from pollution to chemicals that lend pallor to our usually sunny complexions. Throw in a few overly harsh products meant to clean the skin (they're actually stripping it of much needed moisture), and you've got a recipe for a serious skincare disaster.

Boscia to the rescue. It's a preservative-free skin-care regimen that calls on natural remedies and botanicals to make an immediate impact on your complexion. The Boscia line is set apart by two main ingredients found in every product produced by this natural skincare line.

The key ingredients are organically grown Jojoba Leaf, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage, and Willowherb, an anti-inflammatory that soothes and calms skin. What makes this line incredibly unique and equally effective is each product can be classified as all natural with organic ingredients.

We put the Boscia skincare line to the test, and a few favorites emerged. The Purifying Cleansing Gel ($18) is a soap-free cleanser that deep-cleans skin while maintaining its natural moisture. We love that this cleanser made our face feel super clean without that telltale tightness that often accompanies products that are too drying. Our tired eyes suddenly seemed well rested with a dose of Boscia's Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment.

Key botanicals such as Coix Seed and Tocopherol-Vitamin E reduce puffiness and diminish dark circles. At just $30 a bottle, you can afford to pamper your peeps without batting a lash.

Don't miss the Fresh Blotting Linens ($6 for 100 sheets), an ideal way to absorb excess oil without messing makeup.

Red Streak readers' special: Stop by Salon Fuga, 3853 N. Southport, for a complimentary Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel ($18 value). This offer also valid at Bath & Body Works' flagship apothecary in Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg. Quantities limited, offer valid while supplies last.

You can also mix up some natural remedies for common beauty problems with the very ingredients you have in your fridge every day (assuming it's not all Diet Coke and White Zin).

A few to try:

Problem skin clarifier: To clarify blemish-prone skin, mix equal parts cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. After your typical cleansing routine, apply this mixture to the face with a cottonball. Leave on overnight and wake up to a glowing complexion.

Blackhead buster: Banish blackheads with a mixture of equal parts of lime juice, rose water and glycerin. Combine into a lotion and apply nightly. This concoction can also be used on hands and feet and helps to even out the skin tone as well.

Wrinkle relaxer: Combine one ounce of cabbage juice with one teaspoon of honey. Mix into a paste and apply nightly to maintain skin's youthful glow.

Remember, too, that as trite as it may sound, what goes in your body is reflected on the outside. When it comes to looking great, we're not too proud to take Mom's advice: Eat lots of fruit and veggies, drink lots of water, and you, too, will look incredible naturally!