By Sharon Truelove
Last week we discussed body brushing and its’ benefit of exfoliation and detoxification.
After exfoliating, the circulation has been improved and the skin is now better able to fully benefit from further techniques. Let’s talk about some healthful methods of applying products to the skin to maximize its’ appearance (and function).
Body masks apply products to the body that may moisturize, detoxify, nourish, and soothe the skin. Heat can be used with these treatments to increase their effect. A wrap may be applied to help retain the heat and open the pores to enhance product absorption.
Some of the products that may be used are oils, creams, lotions, muds, paraffin, sea weed, and algae. The various products are used specifically because of their ingredients. Some replace needed elements –others pull toxins from the body.
Muds may be used because of the mineral content to cleanse, detoxify, revitalize, heal, refresh.
Applying paraffin can help relieve pain and increase joint mobility.
Seaweed can smooth, tone and moisturize your skin.
The following recipe is very simple and you can probably find all three ingredients in your kitchen. It is used for dry skin.
1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
1 tbsp of yogurt (preferably organic , try to skip the flavored stuff)
A few drops of honey
Mix and apply to the skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, rinse, apply a moisturizer.
Below is a more “exotic” pumpkin recipe full of natural exfoliating acids and antioxidants and is employed to soften fine lines and sun damage.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh pumpkin pulp
2 eggs
Puree pumpkin til it is a thick paste
Add egg (binder)
Add one of the following ingredients to the paste to use for various skin types and mix well:
For dry/combo skin:
2 teaspoon almond milk
For dry skin:
1 teaspoon honey
For oil skin:
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice
Apply mask.
Leave on for 15-20 minutes (less time for sensitive skin).
Rinse using cool water and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
Viola!
Pick one of the recipes to attempt. After you try it let me know what you think!
I tried the pumpkin receipe. And for those who know me, no I didnt have all the ingredients in my kitchen, I went to my friend Becky’s house. We tried it together and loved it. Amazing something so simple and tasty can make such and impact on your skin.
I am planning on making both these recipes. Right now I make a scrub using mineral salt, coconut and grapeseed oil and a few drops of essential oils. these recipes sound very refreshing so I cant wait to try them.
The recipe below is the one that I chose to use. I mainly use it on my wife. She seemed to love it. I would recommend it for clients as I think it is a great recipe.
The following recipe is very simple and you can probably find all three ingredients in your kitchen. It is used for dry skin.
1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
1 tbsp of yogurt (preferably organic , try to skip the flavored stuff)
A few drops of honey
Mix and apply to the skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, rinse, apply a moisturizer.
I did my wife’s face and she loved it. It’s smoother and helped with coloring too.
To finely chop my oatmeal I put it in my coffee grinder. I really like this mask and have used it in the past. Thank you for reminding me of it again. I will start using it more often now. When I was in Maine last summer there was seaweed everywhere on the beach, wish I had some of it now.
I tried the oatmeal mix (seeing I had all those products handy) I have used oatmeal in the past but never in this manner. I thiink I like it in this mix mux much better. I felt refreshed after using it. Especially since my skin is so dry from the sun and peeling, this seemed to help tremendously.
I’ve tried the brushing technique. I loved it. I also tried the mask as well and I thought it was wonderful.
The mask with apple cider vinegar started to burn my cheeks immediately, I think it might have been the vinegar that did it because of the acidity. Is there an alternative mask I can use that is good for rosacea? I had to see what this would do to my husband’s skin since I couldn’t use it, he has sensitive skin so we only left it on for 5 minutes, but the results were amazing. His skin was the smoothest I had ever felt and he did this right before he shaved, he said it was easier to shave his face because the hairs were softer too. He loves when I bring information like this home so thank you from my husband and I.
I tried the first recipe, and it was really refreshing. I really tell a difference in my skin after I had done it too. I want to try the pumpkin recipe next.
I did the recipe with the oatmeal and added almond milk. I loved it my skin is very soft. Another one is 1 cup brown sugar, 1 egg white, and teaspoon of olive oil. It is excellent exfoliate and leaves your skin soft.
My wife and I did this together. I used the oatmeal recipe and she used the pumpkin. I do not know much about this kind of thing, but I did feel my skin tightening while I had it on. My wife said hers felt really rejuvenating and also smelled nice. I think maybe I will try the pumpkin at some point for comparison.
I tried the first recipe and while my roommates thought I was crazy, I love that the ingredients are always inexpensive. I really enjoyed the texture of it and let it sit for 10 minutes, my skin felt refreshed and I applied moisturizer after and my skin felt cool. I can’t wait to add this to my salon menu and tell my friends. How much would you usually charge for something like this?
I have the oatmeal mask before,I love the way it exfoliates and moisturizes my face. We have used mud masks at home also,but it seems to be more dryer. The mud masks I believe are for oiler skin.
I used the oatmeal recipe for a friends facial, she thought I was crazy when she asked what the ingredients were, but said it was one of the best masks she has every felt. Personally I am staying away from the Pumpkin! And after my oatmeal bath making me itch even more I don’t think i will be putting oatmeal on my face either, but love to experiment on others!
Well I looked a little foreign walking around the house with food on my face, however it was very beneficial. I had to use the coffee grinder like Jamie and it seemed to set better. I liked the after affectsof the oatmeal on my T-zone. When we went to get the facials, I noticed that the next two days my nose area was extremely oily, not with the oatmeal mask and it is nice.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I think I’ll try both this weekend on me, my sister, and my mom. I think I’ll the oatmeal the best. I love the concept that you can use everyday items instead of expensive stuff to make a difference on your skin.
I did not know this recipe would help with dry skin. But I did try it and it works very well. I don’t have to lotion my skin everyday after doing this.
i tried the pumpkin recipe and i felt great. now my skin is even softer then before. i will have to try it again.
I tried the pumpkin one, it itched a little bit while it was on. I haven’t noticed much difference in the sun damage, but I’ll keep with it once a week. Perhaps the benefits are cumulative.
I love making my own masks. I’ve tried the first one before and really liked it and theres one i make with yogurt and egg whites that I love. Im going to make this pumpkin one soon.
I have always liked making my own masks and I really want to try to pumpkin mask. I have tried the first one before and got good results. I also have made a really simple one with just egg whites, yogurt, and honey.
I have tried the oatmeal mask before and considering I myself have combo skin this did wonders on some areas of my face. I would love to try other mask as well and maybe even have little time to pamper my own daughters.