Here are some helpful tips that I found really truly work…

To remove set in fruit stains on skin, try rubbing and rinsing with pure lemon juice. The concentrated bottled kind works just as well – just use less of it.

Baking soda and lemon or grapefruit juice works as well. To remove the smell, rub your hands together with a sea salt paste made with water.

And last but not least, you can always use white distilled vinegar. I’ve never tried Apple Cider Vinegar, but I’m sure it should work just as well.

Any type of permanent marker should easily come off with a natural hairspray. Simply spray, rub hands and wash off with mild soap and water. I’ve also tried this method on household surfaces (test a small area first) and it seems to work just as well. Some of those products sold to remove stains from furniture can be quite toxic and dangerous to children and pets.

When in need of a facial exfoliating wash, simply sprinkle some cornmeal into the lather and massage gently into the skin. You can also use this method as a body scrub. I’ve tried this using salt, but it tends to leave my skin irritated and dried out. The salt might work better on a tougher, oilier skin. Avoid scrubbing your face and body daily. This should be done no more than once a week, and less for drier more sensitive skin.

I find that cornstarch baby powder makes an awesome face powder to set your make-up base with. Do not use baby powders containing talc, as this is harmful to the lungs. Cornstarch powder leaves your skin smooth and soft, fills in the wrinkles and doesn’t over dry. That was one of my mom’s make up secrets. Compared to cosmetic setting powders, it’s really, really cheap and much better for you. I get the cornstarch baby powder sold at whole food stores or stores that carry totally natural facial products.

Baking Soda is also excellent for removing tough grime on hands and under finger- nails, as well as deodorizing hands.

Whenever you can afford to, try purchasing cosmetic products that are naturally organic. Over 20 percent of the chemicals found in personal care products, not only seep into the skin but hurts our environment as well, by getting into our major water systems, which in turn, ends up in our drinking water. Try using products right out of your kitchen pantry for facial care such as, oatmeal, honey and white vinegar.