Homemade Facial Masks
The skin is the largest organ on the human body. It is extrememly sensitive to external factors such as dirt, weather and also to internal factors such as stress. All these conditions have adverse effects on the skin. But all is not lost, these problems can be prevented with proper maintenance and care.
The skin produces millions of new cells a day, regenerating itself completely within 30-45 days. But by the age of 35, however, the skin's natural rejuvenating processes begin to slow down. At this time the skin can benefit from a facial mask. There is two types of masks; a relaxing mask and a stimulating mask.Relaxing masks moisturize the skin and refresh the skin. Stimulating masks promote blood flow and firm up the skin.
Before applying any masks though, cleanse face well with a facial toner. I recommend using a toner with lemon balm or witch hazel. Avoid soaps since they do tend to dry out skin. Also try to use soft or distelled water when preparing facial masks. Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals and other substances that may provoke allergic reaction. If you use tap water, boiling or filter is a great idea.
Application: Treat yourself to a facial mask once or twice a week. Apply a stimulating mask before going out or a relaxing mask before bedtime. Leave on for about twenty minutes. Always use the freshest ingredients. You can prepare masks on demand or in advance and store in refrigerator.
Mask Recipes:
Strawberry Mask
4-5 very ripe med-size strawberries
2 tsp. heavy cream
1 tsp. honey
Carefully rinse strawberries with lukewarm water and dry with a clean cloth. In a small bowl, mash fruit with fork....add cream and honey. Mix well. Apply the paste generously to face and leave on 2-0-30 minutes. Rinse well.
Do Not use if sunburned or have an allergic reaction to strawberries.
Whole Wheat Flour Mask
1 Qt. water
4 tsp. dried rose petals (or 8 tsp. fresh rose petals)
Peels from 2 organic oranges
6 tsp. milk
2 tbsp. rose water
2 tsp. honey
4 tbsp. whole wheat flour
Boil the water and remover from heat. Add rose petals, orange peels and cover. Allow to steep until water becomes lukewarm. In a seperate pan, heat milk, floral water, honey. Remove from heat, add the flour and whisk into thick paste. Apply the warm paste to the face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes. Carefully wash off the dried mask with the fragrant rose/orange water. Pat dry. Apply your favorite moisturizer.
Essential Oils
Lavender oil is used in baths, room sprays, toilet waters, perfumes, colognes, massage oils, sachets, salves, skin lotions and oils. It has a sweet, balsamic, floral aroma which combines well with many oils including citrus, clove, patchouli, rosemary, clary sage and pine. Aromatherapy benefits: balancing, soothing, normalizing, calming, relaxing, healing. Peppermint Essential Oil - A very widely employed aromatherapy oil, try peppermint in a cooling compress across the forehead or over the back of the neck. Peppermint has a powerful, sweet, menthol aroma which, when inhaled undiluted, can make the eyes water and the sinuses tingle. Aromatherapy benefits: vitalizing, refreshing, cooling. Allspice Berry Essential Oil - Allspice Berry - The oil has a warm, spicy-sweet aroma. It is used in spicy or masculine scents. It combines well with orange, ginger, patchouli and all of the spice oils including cinnamon, cassia and clove. Aromatherapy benefits: warming, cheering, comforting, nurturing. Clove Bud Essential Oil - The best clove oil is distilled from the whole dried flower buds of the clove tree. Inferior oils are distilled from the leaves and stems and are sometimes sold as clove oil without any designation of the source. Clove bud oil has a powerful, spicy-fruity, warm, sweet aroma. It is used in mouthwash, toothpaste, chewing gum and dental preparations. Clove oil is highly irritating to the skin and should be handled with caution. Aromatherapy benefits: warming, comforting. Rose Absolute Oil - This is an economical, high-quality alternative to distilled rose essential oils, (rose otto). Rose absolute works well for scenting purposes, but to experience full aromatherapy benefits, we recommend using rose otto. Rose absolute has a sweet, deep-rosy, long-lasting aroma. It is used in perfumes for both its scent and fixative qualities. Aromatherapy benefits: romantic, uplifting. Orange, Sweet Essential Oil - One of the most popular oils in the world. More sweet orange oil is produced than any other citrus oil. In perfumery, sweet orange is often used as the heart of a floral blend. Two kinds of sweet orange oil are available: distilled or expressed. Distilled oil is a byproduct of juice making and has an inferior aroma. It is often used as an adulterant in expressed or pressed oil. Our oil is pressed from the peels of ripe, sweet oranges. It has a lively, fruity, sweet aroma. It is used to scent fruity and eau de cologne fragrances. All citrus oils are quick to deteriorate and should be stored in a cool, dry, dark area in full containers. Aromatherapy benefits: cheering, refreshing, uplifting.
Evening Balm
Gently heat three essential oils -- sweet orange, ylang ylang and lavender -- for fragrance that is a perfect accompaniment to an enchanted evening.
Place in the ceramic bowl of a candle lamp:
1 to 2 tablespoons water
4 drops essential oil of sweet orange
2 drops essential oil of ylang-ylang and,
1 drop essential oil of lavender
Use this softly pungent blend in a candle lamp that warms a small dish of water and essential oils. The heat gently dispenses these aromatic oils throughout a room, diffusing the air with their sweet floral and exotic attar. Ylang-ylang, the tropical " flower of flowers," is known as a euphoria-evoking oil.
Body Scrub
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
1/2 vial chamomile oil
1 tablespoon citrus juice (orange, lemon or grapefruit -- check freshness date)
1 dry towel
1/2 tablespoon sea salt
4 drops from 1 vitamin E capsule (400 IU, optional)
1 warm, dampened towel
Treatment
Mix entire sea salt packet, 1/2 vial of chamomile oil, vitamin E, citrus juice and Vaseline Petroleum Jelly in tray provided.
Break vitamin E capsule and add contents.
Apply exfoliating mixture to elbows, knees, legs and torso.
Lightly rub to remove dry, rough skin.
After 3 to 5 minutes, wipe excess off with a warm, dampened towel.
Pat dry with towel. Discard leftover oil.
Spa Tip
For a soothing body treatment, omit sea salt from the above recipe and substitute 1 of the 2 tablespoons of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly with Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion.
Apply to dry skin areas as necessary.
Allow mixture to dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Pat with dry towel to remove excess.
Sea Salt Scrubs
Mix just four ingredients to create a body scrub ideal for polishing the skin.
Marine-based sea salts have a high mineral content to nourish while cleansing.
2 cups unbleached sea salt
2 tablespoons dried, chopped orange peel
3 drops essential oil of ginger (bactericide and tonic)
2 drops essential oil of cedarwood (heals dermatitis)
Mix ingredients together.
During bath or shower, gently rub sea salts over the skin. (The tub is ideal because excess salt crystals dissolve into bathwater.) Massage with a loofah or soft sisal or fabric buffer.
After soaking and bathing, apply a light natural body moisturizer or cooling aloe vera gel or juice.
This sea salt body rub, a popular rejuvenating spa treatment, cleanses and polishes skin to radiant health. Marine-based sea salts exfoliate dead skin cells and open clogged pores, eliminating toxins and stimulating circulation. The high mineral content nourishes the body, leaving it toned, tightened, refreshed and luminous.
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