SPA: FACIAL SKIN-CARE TREATMENTS

The purpose of a facial is to improve circulation, deep-cleanse, and smooth and moisturize the skin. A complete facial includes a cleansing steam, exfoliation, mask, toner and moisturizer.

Deep-Cleansing Herbal Facial Steam
What you’ll need: Large pot with lid, purified or spring water, herbs and a towel.

An herbal facial steam deep-cleanses pores, brings a healthy glow to your complexion and helps replenish moisture in the skin. Choose herbs that are beneficial for your skin type: Normal to dry skin benefits from a combination of equal parts of comfrey, chamomile and rose petals; oily or blemished skin is helped by equal parts of lavender, orange peel and rosemary.

To prepare the facial steam, place 2 quarts of water and 3 tablespoons of dried herbs into a large, covered pot. Bring the water and herbs just barely to a boil, remove from heat, and steep for 10 minutes. Place the pot on a table, remove the lid and make a towel tent over both your head and the steaming pot, taking care not to burn yourself. Stay under the tent for 10 minutes to allow perspiration to deep-cleanse your skin. Follow with the Skin-Refining Exfoliation.

Skin-Refining Exfoliation
What you’ll need: Facial scrub (made from rolled oats, almonds and rose water).

Cleansing grains gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells and leave your skin silky smooth. To make the cleansing grains, combine 1 tablespoon finely ground rolled oats with 1 teaspoon finely ground almonds (grind oats and almonds separately in a clean coffee grinder).

To use, mix the cleansing grains with enough rose water to make a creamy paste. Gently massage the mixture onto damp skin and rinse well with warm water. Follow with the Strawberry-Rosemary Rejuvenating Facial Mask, the Honey-Lavender Moisturizing Mask, or both.

Strawberry-Rosemary Rejuvenating Facial Mask
What you’ll need: Fresh strawberries, plain yogurt, rosemary essential oil, lavender essential oil and cosmetic clay.

Strawberries and yogurt contain natural alpha-hydroxy acids that help soften and refine skin texture. Rosemary and lavender essential oils rejuvenate skin by stimulating cellular renewal.
Mash 1 large ripe strawberry with 1 tablespoon yogurt. Mix in one drop rosemary essential oil, 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon of cosmetic clay. If you have dry skin, add 1⁄2 teaspoon almond or jojoba oil to the mixture.
Apply the mask to freshly cleansed skin. Leave in place for 20 minutes or more, and then remove with a warm, wet washcloth. Follow with the Honey-Lavender Moisturizing Mask or a moisturizer.

Honey-Lavender Moisturizing Mask
What you’ll need: Honey and lavender essential oil.

Honey purifies, heals and moisturizes skin. Lavender essential oil is soothing and balancing for all skin types.

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 3 drops of lavender essential oil. Smooth onto damp skin. Leave on for 15 minutes or longer, and then remove with a warm, wet washcloth. Follow with Aromatherapy Skin Toner.

Aromatherapy Skin Toner
What you’ll need: Essential oil for your skin type, witch hazel extract, purified or spring water and a small (4-ounce) spray bottle.

An aromatherapy skin toner soothes and refreshes skin and temporarily tightens pores. Mix 1 teaspoon of witch hazel extract and 10 drops of an essential oil (or combination of oils) beneficial for your skin type in a small spray bottle. Fill the bottle with purified or spring water. Shake well, and spray skin lightly after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Nourishing Facial Oil
What you’ll need: Jojoba oil, essential oil for your skin type and a small glass dropper bottle.
Jojoba oil is similar to sebum, the skin’s natural moisturizing oil. Mix 1 ounce of jojoba oil with 10 drops of an essential oil (or combination of oils) beneficial for your skin type in a small glass dropper bottle. After cleansing and toning your skin, gently massage a few drops of the facial oil onto your damp skin.

Article reprinted with permission from Herbs for Health magazine, a division of Ogden publications.
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