Ambleside Classical

Do It Yourself Natural Mini-Spa

I didn't realize how dry and flaky my skin has gotten. It must be the time of year. Since I didn't feel like spending money on beauty products, I decided to give myself a facial using ingredients already in my kitchen.

Ingredients for my mini-spa:
Baking Soda (use oatmeal if you think soda is too harsh)
Olive Oil
Honey


Step 1 - Cleanse & Exfoliate
1) Start with a clean face
2) Put a small amount of baking soda in your hand (1 Tablespoon?) and mix enough olive oil to make a paste
3) Gently scrub your entire face. I even carefully did my under eye area, since it that area has so many lines and dead skin.
4) Rinse and pat dry. My skin felt wonderfully soft after this!

Step 2 - Mask to tighten skin
1) Apply honey to your face and let it dry 15-30 minutes (Mmmm! Smells so nice.)
2) Rinse with cold water to close pores.
3) Apply a toner followed by a rich moisturizer and voila!


Mint Toner Recipe

	1 peppermint tea bag (I used Sleepytime tea, a mint blend by Celestial Seasonings because I had it on hand)
	1 cup boiling water
	1-2 Tbsp witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, or vodka (Vinegar irritates my skin, and I did not have the others, so I substituted the juice of one orange)
	1 Tbsp lemon juice ***I also added just a tiny bit of mint mouthwash as a preservative and for scent, since I had no essential oil or peppermint leaf, and the orange-mint fragrance I ended up with is heavenly!

Instructions

Place tea bag in boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Discard tea bag and allow liquid to cool. Add witch hazel and lemon juice and store in glass container in the refridgerator. Apply daily after cleansing face.

This toner is best on normal or slightly oily skin. It will remove any residue of dirt or make-up and close pores. I am storing my home-made toner in a sterilzed 5.5 ounce bottle in the refrigerator (recycled from store-bought toner).

To maintain a soft, clear complexion without expensive, toxic cleansers, I am experimenting with using olive oil. Olive oil is massaged into the skin for 2 minutes, then a hot towel is applied for a few minutes to steam dirty oil and impurities out. It's inexpensive, toxin-free, and it leaves skin supple and clean! It easily removes all of my make-up without drying my skin. Surprisingly, this cleansing method also tightened my pores! Read more about the Oil Cleansing Method here.


When I finished my mini-spa, my skin felt so soft and smooth, and the price was right! Raid your kitchen and do your own rehab, and feel what a difference it can make. Find more home-made beauty recipes HERE. This time of year, our skin needs a little extra TLC. This was my first try at a home-made, natural facial, and I will definitely do it again SOON.