In the later years, I began to use something a little more complicated and a lot more chemically-created to treat my skin. It felt a bit on the clinical side and I find that I miss the “fun” aspect. I’m all for revisiting the natural  homemade facial masks of my youth and this time around I get my daughters in on it. At 16 and 10, I’ve been teaching them about the importance of good skin care for awhile now.

Certain household items are used frequently in the facial masks that you purchase in the store. Fruit acids exfoliate, honey has anti-bacterial properties, milk soothes, oatmeal exfoliates – most of us have these at home already, which makes them convenient for homemade facial masks.

To get the full at-home spa effect, begin with a facial steaming to open your pores. Heat a large pot of water up to the boiling point, then place to the side to cool a bit. Steam your face over the warm water to which you’ve added 5-6 drops of the essential oil of your choice.

Here are a few ideas:

For oily skin or acne, use tea tree oil
For dry skin, use rose or a chamomile tea infusion
For combination skin, use eucalyptus, lavender, or lemon

Now you are ready for the mask of your choice:

Cocoa Infusion Facial Mask – moisturizing and cleansing

1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup of honey
2 – 1/2 TBs of milk or soy milk
4 tsp oatmeal

Mix together in a bowl, apply to face, avoiding eye area, and massage in a circular motion. Let the mask set for 15 minutes, while you put your feet up. Then, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

Olive oil makes a wonderful facial massage oil, but if you prefer, you can substitue Apricot oil instead.

Olive Oil Facial Massage Mask – exfoliating and smoothing, increases circlation

5 ripe strawberries
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp honey

Mash strawberries into a pulp. Add olive oil, then honey. Mix, then apply to the face, avoiding the eyes. Massage into your face and neck for 5 minutes – use an upward smoothing motion on neck, gentle upward, inward circles on the face. Tissue off excess, rinse thoroughly with warm water, pat dry.

To make a vegan version of this mask or the scrub below, simply skip the honey.

Facial Scrub Mask – smoothing, softening

Ground nuts can be added to honey for an easy exfoliating scrub.  Grind 1/4 cup of walnut or almonds in a coffee grinder, then add to either 2 Tablespoons of honey or yogurt (can substitute soy yogurt for a vegan scrub). Mix well.  Apply to the face, again avoiding the eye area, and massage gently, in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water, pat dry.

Image credit: All Posters.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

So, when I heard that so many beauty companies were using olive oil in skin care products, I was not skeptical. I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to try them. Imagine my excitement when I was recently introduced to Olivella, 100% Virgin Olive Oil skin care from Italy.

The Hand Cream is amazing. I use it every night before bed, and my skin is extra soft. I love the light natural, fresh scent, and the way the cream instantly melts into my hands.

The soaps are equally wonderful, and come in both liquid and bar form. I have the liquid soap placed right at my kitchen sink.

The benefits of olive oil in skin care are plenty:

- CONTAINS – Anti-Aging Properties
- CONTAINS ANTI-OXIDANTS – Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
- CONTAINS POLYPHONELS – A powerful natural antioxidant present in Virgin Olive Oil.
- MOISTURIZES THE SKIN – Nutrients present in olives bind with water to naturally moisturize the skin.
- ASSISTS IN RETAINING SKIN’S NATURAL HUMIDDITY
- HYPOALLERGENIC – Olivella Soaps contain no animal fats, chemicals, or fragrances that frequently cause allergic reactions.
- PROVIDES A SOOTHING EFFECT ON THE SKIN – resulting from a combination of the natural nutrients and properties found in Virgin Olive Oil.

Are you as hooked as I am?

Post from: Pretty by Nature