photo's credit: By Jacob Bøtter from Copenhagen, Denmark (Relaxation) CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Michelle Pino, guest contributor
Everyone knows that a day at a spa can be costly. And with busy schedules, it’s not always easy to coordinate a time for a spa appointment, especially when you want to bring a friend along. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend lots of money or even leave your house to enjoy the benefits of a spa. There are many treatments you can do in the comfort of your home. Here are a few inexpensive ways to create a home spa experience.
CLEANING SCRUB
This homemade invigorating cleansing scrub helps improve blood circulation and helps tone slack muscles. To create the scrub, combine the following ingredient in a large bowl:
½ cup of water
1 cup orange juice
3 tbsp. rose water (found at most grocery stores)
2 tbsp. crushed fresh coriander or cilantro leaves
2 tbsp. ground mustard
½ tsp. ground turmeric
1 cup chickpea flour or oats
Stir all ingredients well to blend. Work the cleansing scrub all over your body and face. Then, rinse with warm water.
FACIAL STEAM
When your skin is tired, pale and dried-out, a steam treatment can help bring back its healthy glow. Moist heat brings oxygen to the skin, boosts blood circulation, and hydrates the skin. Moreover, it promotes skin clarity.
To create the steam treatment at home, just turn on your shower and let it run for about 20 minutes at its hottest temperature. Let the steam build-up. Next, take a warm washcloth and apply a few drops of an aromatherapy oil or spray with an aromatherapy mist in your favorite soothing scent, such as rosemary, vanilla or lavender. Once the room is steamy, adjust the shower to a comfortable temperature. Step into the shower, placing the washcloth on your face and breathing the soothing, oil-scented steam. It is a great way to unwind before going to bed. Also, it helps clear up sinuses.
EYE SOOTHERS
The skin located around your eyes is especially sensitive and thin, so it easily flares up when you are fatigued, stressed or surviving on a less-than-perfect diet. Natural remedies, however, can reduce the puffiness or redness quickly. These remedies make use of simple ingredients found in your kitchen.
Chamomile tea. This tea has natural anti-inflammatory nutrients, which help relieve puffiness and redness on the skin around the eyes.
Green and Black teas. These teas contain the natural compounds caffeine and tannins. Caffeine helps constrict the blood vessels, thus, reducing the swelling. Tannins act like a skin astringent, which helps shrink the swollen tissue.
Prepare the eye soother by steeping 1 tea bag of black tea or green tea, and 1 tea bag of chamomile tea in a cup of boiled water for about three minutes. Then, remove the tea bags from the water and put them in the refrigerator. Once cooled, place one tea bag on each eye and leave it there for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, switch to the other tea bags.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SKIN
To revitalize and repair your skin, apply several teaspoons of pure extra virgin olive oil onto your freshly cleansed face and neck. Use a circular motion to work the oil into your skin before applying your night cream.
For best results, try to perform these treatments on a schedule. For instance, put aside 30 minutes to pamper yourself every Wednesday and Sunday night. Remember: No matter how busy your schedule is you should always make time for yourself. YOU DESERVE IT!
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