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Home-made Spa Recipes: Facials. Natural skin care recipes for facials, scrubs and toners for combination, oily, problem and dry skin.
Being pampered is definitely a treat not worth giving up, so whether you have 20 minutes or the whole day ahead of you, try some of the recipes in this article to help you feel at your best. There are facial masks and scrubs for all different face types, see what suits you and just sit back and enjoy!
Just a small word of warning: If you are uncertain of allergies or other contraindications consult your doctor prior to using recipes on this page.
FACIAL MASKS FOR NORMAL SKIN
Normal skin is smooth, supple and soft. It is evenly textured and generally free of blemishes. It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. Less than twenty percent of women have this skin type. If this is your skin type you are fortunate; however, this does not mean that you shouldn’t take care of it. Here are some recipes to help keep your skin perfect:
NORMAL SKIN MOISTURIZING MASK : Ingredients: 1 ripe banana; Method: Simply mash a banana and apply to face. Let it rest for 20 minutes or so. Wash with luke-warm water, can be done twice a week.
BANANA STIMULATING MASK : Ingredients: 1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed, 4 tablespoons of chickpea flour, 1 egg, beaten; Method: Blend the chickpea flour and banana into a thick paste. Add the beaten egg and apply the mix on the face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes, rinse well and pat dry. Bananas are versatile and nourishing. They have lots of potassium and vitamin A that are natural emollients and help reduce redness and puffiness. Chickpea flour is a great exfoliator and also a great skin rejuvenator.
FACIAL MASKS FOR DRY SKIN
Dry skin has an even texture and is transparent looking. Skin tends to feel tight without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have white-heads around the eyes and dry patches. This type of skin needs proper care because it is most prone to ageing early. Here are some recipes to keep the skin supple and moisturized:
DRY SKIN MOISTURIZING MASK : Ingredients: 200 ml (7oz) of yogurt,1 tablespoon of finely ground almonds, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of wheat germ oil; Method: Mix in a bowl and apply to face. Let it rest until it feels dry and rinse off with lukewarm water.
DRY AND SPOTTED SKIN MASK : Ingredients: dry oatmeal (you may grind it in a blender), honey and plain yogurt to make a paste; Method: Spread it over your face and neck, leave on 15 – 30 min then rinse with lukewarm water.AVOCADO, CARROT & CREAM MASK : Ingredients: 1 avocado mashed, 1 carrot cooked and mashed, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 egg beaten, 3 tablespoons honey; Method: Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favourite toner. This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.
KIWI FACIAL CLEANSER FOR NORMAL OR DRY SKIN: Ingredients: 1 kiwi fruit, 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange water, 1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon finely ground almonds, 2 drops orange (or your favorite citrus) essential oil; Method: Puree the kiwi fruit in a food processor until liquid. During processing, add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil, and ground almonds. Process until thick and cream like. Add essential and stir to mix. To apply, massage gently over neck, face and décolleté to cleanse. Rinse well. Makes one application.
FACIAL MASKS FOR OILY SKIN
The oily complexion is greasy, sallow and can be course. It has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and white-heads. Within hours of washing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly. To keep the oil at bay and to give your skin a more even appearance try these recipes:
OATMEAL AND BLUEBERRY MASK : Ingredients: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 cup blueberries, 1 tablespoon honey, 5-6 whole almonds; Method: Puree all ingredients in a blender until finely blended. Spread mixture over your face, and allow to dry (10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and splash your skin with cool water or toner. This mask be may stored in your refrigerator for up to one week, covered tightly. This mask, used once or twice monthly, will both cleanse and exfoliate your face.
APPLE SKIN TONER: Ingredients: 2/3 cup witch hazel, 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar, 2-5 drops Lavender Essential Oil (or essential oil of your choice); Method: Combine and add to clean bottle. Shake bottle well before using, and then dampen a cotton ball or pad saturated with your toner, and swab over face. Witch hazel is a gentle astringent, apple cider vinegar will help restore your skin's natural pH balance, and lavender soothes sensitive skin.
AVOCADO OILY SKIN MASQUE (California Avocado Commission): Method: Put the white of an egg, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and the mashed pulp of a half avocado into a blender. In seconds, you should have a lovely green mixture. Wash your face and neck thoroughly, then apply masque evenly on those areas. Relax for 20 minutes; remove with tepid water and a face cloth. Follow with cold astringent or skin tonic.
FACIAL MASKS FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Combination skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The T zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The extent to which both areas are dry and oily may vary; however, both areas require a separate cleaning routine to restore them to balance. Try these recipes to get the best out of your face:
COMBINATION SKIN MASK : Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of Olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Aloe vera, 1 tablespoon of Shea butter; Method: Apply to skin morning and night after cleaning the face.CUCUMBER MOISTURE LOCK FACIAL MASK : Ingredients: 1/2 cup of peeled, grated cucumber, 1/2 cups of peeled and grated avocado, 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of milk powder; Method: Blend all the ingredients until the mass is consistent. Apply on the face and let it rest for 30 minutes. Wash your face alternating warm and cold water.
BANANA OATMEAL AND MINT MASK : Ingredients: 1/4 C Instant Oatmeal, 1 Small Banana, 1 Egg White, 1 Mint tea bag; Method: Mix Oatmeal, Mashed Banana & Egg white then empty contents of the mint tea bag and mix all ingredients well. Apply to your face and neck and let the mask dry on your face & neck for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This mask is good for all skin types. The effects of the mask will tighten pores & clean pores & moisturize. The Mint will give a cool refreshing feel to the skin. The Banana and Oatmeal in the mask adds moisture to the skin. The Egg white cleans & tightens pores.
FACIAL MASKS FOR PROBLEM SKIN
Problem skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a dermatologist. But don’t despair try these gentle recipes to help calm your skin and alleviate some of the problems:
PINEAPPLE OLIVE OIL MASK: Method: In a blender, combine 4 large pineapple chunks or 1/2 cup canned, drained pineapple and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Blend until almost smooth. Apply mixture to face with fingertips and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse face with warm water and pat dry. Pineapple contains bromeliad, a protein-digestive enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt. It also counteracts histamines, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a mild astringent. Olive oil has excellent healing properties and is a good source of vitamin E, which restores the skin's surface. Use only the highest quality cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.
HONEY OATMEAL FACIAL: Ingredients: 1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of honey; Method: Finely grind or process the oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Set aside. In a small bowl, stir together honey and yogurt, and then add ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly until a smooth paste consistency has been reached. Smooth over your face and neck, leave on for fifteen minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Can be used daily. Honey is a natural antiseptic and is used to bind the honey and yogurt. The oatmeal will absorb excess oil from acne-prone skin and serve as a gentle exfoliant.
TOMATO BLEMISH REMEDY : Ingredients: 1 ripe tomato chopped, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon instant style oatmeal or old fashioned rolled oats; Method: Blend all ingredients until just combined, in a paste. Apply to blemished skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay in place. Leave in place 10 minutes. Remove with damp washcloth, and rinse and tone.
If you have any remedies that you swear by let us know and we can post them on the site. Email info@guide-to-living-naturally.com