Our skin goes through a lot this time of year. The long winter months have exposed our poor, sun-deprived skin to high winds, extreme cold and air so dry it hurts. Despite all the references to rosy cheeks and bright eyes, being a beautician is not winter.
There are tons of products on the shelves that promise to lighten, even, soften, and brighten your skin and do all kinds of things, but most of them cost an arm and a leg and the majority are packed with ingredients that are hard to identify . This is far from an ideal solution.
But do not despair, dear reader, there is hope. With a few easy-to-find ingredients (many of which are already in your cupboard right now), you can create some life-changing face masks that will rejuvenate your parched skin and leave your complexion feeling radiant and blossoming. Read on for two simple recipes.
Honey Glow
This sticky mixture of honey, cocoa butter and oats is perfect for dry, sensitive skin. You can use this as a moisturizing daily cleanser or leave it on as a mask for a more powerful soothing session. This will leave your skin feeling incredibly soft and supple.
Ingredients:
Makes about 1 cup
- 1/3 cup (90 g) raw honey
- ¼ cup (35 g) white clay
- ¼ cup (30 g) cocoa butter, melted
- ¼ cup (20 g) finely ground oatmeal
- 1/8 cup (15 g) aloe vera gel
- 25 drops of orange essential oil
- 15 drops of frankincense essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl and mix until smooth and well combined.
- To use, stroke generously over cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. Be gentle around the eyes and massage it into the skin in an upward motion. Rinse immediately or leave on for 20 minutes as a mask for extreme softening.
Store in a covered container in a cool, dry place.
Reset powder
Sometimes all we need to do is press the reset button and this powder will do just that. Warming herbs get the blood moving, while the clay and activated charcoal help remove impurities. Meanwhile, your skin is bathed in a steady stream of antioxidants, minerals and compounds to support a healthy inflammatory response. After rinsing, your skin will feel tingling, fresh and revived. Use this 1-2 times a week to brighten and purify your complexion.
Ingredients:
Makes 1 cup of powder
- ¼ cup raw cocoa powder
- ¼ cup red Moroccan clay
- 1 teaspoon activated carbon powder
- 1/8 teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- pinch of cloves
- pinch of grated nutmeg
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- To use, place a teaspoon of powder in a bowl and add enough water to form a paste. Apply liberally to your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, being careful with the eye contour. Allow the mask to dry on your skin (about twenty minutes), then soften it with warm water and rinse. Follow with toner and moisturizer if desired.
Store in a covered container.
Writer Danielle Charles Davies has a BSc in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and also completed two years of clinical training at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. She has a master’s degree in writing and has written for the American Herbalists Guild and has also served as a food columnist. Her musings and recipes can be found on her blog, Teacup Chronicles.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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