Spa at Home—Indulge Yourself!!
by Skincare-news.com team
Spa treats aren’t just for the spa anymore! Using just a few ingredients that are probably hiding in your pantry, decadent spa faces masks and body scrubs are just a chop and stir away!
Although there are few things more luxurious than a day at the spa, not everyone has enough time to dedicate to such a delightful indulgence. Well, take back that time and bring the spa home! Transform your bathroom into your own private oasis with easy-to-make masks and scrubs that will nourish the skin and indulge the spirit.
Sweet start
All skin types will benefit from the deliciously exfoliating treat of a chocolate face mask! In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup of cocoa, ¼ cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of heavy or sour cream and 3 teaspoons of oatmeal thoroughly. Then, massage the mask into the skin with a circular motion for several minutes to exfoliate away dead, dry skin. And this mask is more than just a sweet treat. The chocolate will deliver vital anti-oxidants to the skin while the oatmeal, a natural exfoliant, encourages new cell turnover and will leave the complexion glowing. Leave the mask on for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water, pat dry carefully and moisturize.
A papaya-pumpkin face mask is another excellent mask for all skin types that is a snap to prepare at home. For this mask, you will need ½ fresh papaya, one egg white, a 15 oz. can of pumpkin and a teaspoon of honey. Remove the seeds from the papaya and then grind or mash the pulp in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until frothy. Add the egg white to the papaya, followed by the honey and pumpkin and mix carefully. Apply to your face, and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry, following with the proper moisturizer.
The two main ingredients in a pumpkin-papaya mask are skincare powerhouses. Rich in natural enzymes as well as beta-carotene, papaya will gently dissolve dead skin, leaving the face smooth and supple. Pumpkin is a natural source of wrinkle-reducing Vitamin A, as well as vitamin C to help refine the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as encourage collagen production. For a pampering whole body treat, use the Alchimie Forever Excimer Plus Gentle Antioxidant Refining Scrub all over the body while the home-made pumpkin papaya mask rests on the face. Rich with papaya, cranberry and jojoba beads, this scrub will leave the entire body smooth and glowing.
Eye openers
While caffeine may be most famous as daily jumpstart, it also has many useful benefits to the skin, namely reducing puffiness, fading dark circles and improving tone and texture. A coffee body scrub can easily be made from everyday ingredients probably already in the kitchen. Combine 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee with ½ cup of sugar or sea salt, 2 tablespoons of massage oil and a few drops of vanilla extract. Soak in a warm shower or bath for 15 minutes then apply the scrub to the body in a circular motion, concentrating on rough areas like knees and elbows. Rinse completely and follow up with body cream to lock in moisture, such as: Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion.
Ready to wear
If you find yourself in need of a spa, but haven’t the time to create a spa-treat, reach for these ready-to-wear skincare indulgences. For extremely oily or acne prone skin, Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask, with micro sponges will absorb excess oil, while soothing properties will reduce redness and encourage healing of blemishes and spots. The best part? This mask will work in as little as five minutes, making it easy enough to fit into any skincare regimen, not just when you feel like pampering yourself.
If combining coffee grounds and egg whites seems like too much work, try SkinCeuticals Body Polish. Featuring Brazilian marine algae and botanical extracts to lift off dry skin, as well as smooth polyethylene beads and natural waxes, this scrub will hydrate and nourish the skin, is suitable for all skin types and may be used 2-3 times per week for optimal results.
If your skin is ultra-sensitive, pamper it with L’Occitane Almond Exfoliating Delicious Paste. Crafted with finely ground almond meal, shea butter, grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, this gentle exfoliant will refine dry and rough skin while stimulating cellular activity.
Whether you enjoy the creativity of creating unique at-home potions, or prefer the indulgence of ready-made products, there’s no reason not to indulge so go ahead, bring the spa, home!