Sophie Uliano

Gone are the days when splotchy white zit cream was the cure-all for the pimple blues. Gone also is the notion that you have to sacrifice using natural ingredients for chemicals in order to get the acne-zapping job done. In Sophie Uliano's book Do It Gorgeously, the eco expert has lots to say about how we can go DIY with natural ingredients. Her soothing acne gel recipe is perfect for calming inflammation and preventing breakouts. It includes marigolds (which contain natural acne-blasting salicylic acid), bacteria-fighting tea tree oil, and just a dash of vodka. Get the instructions when you read more.

Ever wanted to make your own beauty products? Thanks to tips from environmentalist Sophie Uliano, you can do it with green aplomb. In her new book, Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products ($14), she declares that "clueless is out and crafty is in."

Beauty lovers will be most interested in chapter one, "Do It Beautifully," which covers how you can select ingredients to make your own skin care, sunscreen, nail products, deodorant, and even toothpaste. For oily or combination skin, make your own aloe toner by mixing up 12 ounces of pure organic aloe vera juice and two ounces distilled water. It can be as easy as that. There are also tutorials on how to do your own facials and make your own remedies, such as acne gel and hand sanitizer. Find out more about the book when you keep reading.