After Sun Facial with Carrot, Aloe, and Honey

Exposure to sunlight dries out your skin and increases free radical production, which means the 'w' word – wrinkles. While nothing beats preventive skin care (wearing sun block and protecting your skin from the sun as much as possible with hats, clothing, and even shady trees), you can't stay out of the sun all of the time and sun block can only do so much. In fact, there are not many people who do not love a sunny day at the beach, or even in the backyard. When you do indulge in those golden rays or find yourself without proper sun protection, try some nourishing, hydrating post-UV ray exposure care with an after sun facial. This face mask recipe combines the high vitamin A content of carrot juice with aloe vera and honey, two crucial ingredients for skin healing and moisturizing.

If you don't drink carrot juice for your skin regularly then you should give it a try. It is packed with beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A as needed. It is also great for the liver, and a well-functioning liver means less toxins in the body and less toxins to show up in the skin. Add a bit of carrot juice to a homemade facial and you get vitamin A for your skin. This nutrient acts like an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals. It also helps with tissue repair; this is not a bad thing when dealing with sun damage. Add more beta-carotene rich foods to your diet and your skin care regimen to help protect your skin from the parchment paper effect of the sun.

Aloe vera, and I mean the pure potion straight from the plant or a 100% pure aloe product, such as Aubrey Organics Aloe Vera, contains compounds to speed skin healing and to moisturize those dried out skin cells. It also encourages the production of new collagen. Honey helps the skin retain moisture while also nourishing with vitamins and organic acids. The carrot, aloe, and honey combination is perfect for treating the skin after sun exposure, replenishing nutrients and water, softening, and battling the damaging effects of free radicals.

To make this after sun facial you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of fresh carrot juice
• 1 teaspoon of pure aloe vera

Simply stir ingredients together until very well mixed. Apply to the entire face after washing with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Sit down, relax, and sip a cup of carrot juice. For a pure and powerful moisturizer to use after your after sun facial, use antioxidant rich grapeseed oil instead of a typical face cream.