The Homemade Spa
Olive oil - a powerful moisturizer that doesn't clog pores. It's particularly good for hands, feet and lips, but use it wherever you are dry or chapped. Get the best quality you can - extra virgin contains the most skin-protecting antioxidants, and a little goes a long way.
Honey - although it can be pricey, it is a natural antiseptic that heals and hydrates. Dark is better than light, and the raw is the best kind of all.
Salt - helps to open pores, exfoliates dead skin cells and discourages bacteria. Coarse kosher salt makes a great scrub; for soaking, use sea salt, which dissolves more easily.
Apple cider vinegar - invigorates and tones, restores natural acid balance and promotes healthy circulation. Also helps to dissolve oil and eliminate dead skin, including dandruff.
Lemon juice - exfoliates and promotes the growth of healthy new cells. It also has a mild bleaching effect that fades scars and evens out skin tone. Use fresh juice - the bottled kind often contains sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions.
Garlic - a natural astringent and antibiotic that helps your body heal. Applying it directly to the skin may sting a little; try diluting a chopped clove in water instead.
Baking soda - absorbs oil, exfoliates, tightens pores and draws out toxins. Add half a cup to the bath with a few cups of sea salt.
Cucumber - soothes sensitive skin in the same way it cools the palate after a spicy meal. Place a slice on each eyelid for five minutes to refresh tired or puffy eyes.
Yogurt - a balm for irritation and encourages your skin to produce moisture. It contains mild lactic acid, which smoothes and helps to restore proper pH balance. Use the plain stuff - whole milk for dry skin and low or non-fat for oily skin.
RECIPES FOR HER
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
1 tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (for oilier skin) or plain yogurt (for drier skin)
1/2 tsp water (1 tsp if using yogurt)
In a small bowl, add water to baking soda, then add lemon juice, vinegar or yogurt and stir; the mixture will foam up. Wet face and gently massage in mixture, then rinse well with lukewarm water.
Salty-Sweet Body Smoother
2 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp honey
Combine salt and honey in small bowl and use in the shower or bath to exfoliate and cleanse rough or dull skin. This smoother rinses away easily and leaves a pleasant honey scent.
Cool-As-A-Cucumber Soothing Mask
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup peeled, chopped cucumber
Mix yogurt and cucumer with food processor or blend. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse with cool water. This mask soothes the skin and takes care of blotchiness and irritation. It will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days.
Mediterranean Foot Scrub
3 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp olive oil
Combine salt and olive oil in a small bowl and apply in rotating circles to damp skin wherever it's chapped or dry. This scrub treats scaly winter feet and makes ashy knees and elbows velvety soft. Careful, though - the oil will make you slippery!
RECIPES FOR HIM
Spiked Vodka Aftershave
1/2 cup vodka
Fragrant blend, sweet or spicy
1/2 cup mineral water
Sweet blend: 1 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick broken in half, 2-inch piece of vanilla bean cut in half.
Spicy blend: 2 bay leaves broken, 15 whole cloves, 1/2 tsp whole peppercorns
Add spices to vodka and steep in covered glass jar for at least one week (the longer it steeps the stronger it will smell). Strain liquid and dilute with mineral water. Splash on after shaving - the alcohol acts as a toner, astringent and antiseptic.
Salt and Pepper Body Scrub
3 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Combine salt, honey and olive oil in small bowl, then mix in black pepper and vanilla. This scrubs away rough or dull skin from head to toe and leaves a scent that's a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet.
(via Utne Reader, March-April 2005 - reprinted from ReadyMade magazine, Nov/Dec 2004)
