Ladies (and gents), we are dealing with stressful times and we need to take time for ourselves as often as we can despite the global stay-home orders forcing us all to stay home and in tight quarters.
For those among us who love getting pampered at the spa, who may not have the ability to get out or even get to a beauty supply store to shop for an at home solution, luckily there are ample kitchen cabinet and pantry items that we can use to create face masks and facial cleaners and body scrubs.
I have posted the Maddie Ruud‘s HubPages recipes in a past post before but am extracting and curating 19 simple recipes you can make from home using a few ingredients in your fridge, pantry or kitchen cabinets!
DISCLAIMER:
Before you try these, be aware and prepared of the fact that some of these things may not necessarily smell as fragrant as the masks, scrubs and cleansers you purchase commercially that are packaged. Those products are usually infused with fragrance.
If you prefer, you are free to include a few drops of all natural essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint oil which shouldn’t be too harmful in taking away the exfoliating or cleansing effect of your kitchen cabinet spa treatment!
Enjoy!
FACE MASKS
1. Nourish: Banana-Avacado Mask
Ingredients
1/2 over-ripe banana
1/2 over-ripe avacado
2 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
Mash banana and avacado, combine with other ingredients, and mix well. Apply liberally to face and neck. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
2. Exfoliate: Tomato-Lemon Mask
Ingredients
1 over-ripe tomato
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp instant oatmeal
Instructions
Put all ingredients in blender, puree until smooth. Apply to face, let soak 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
3. Tighten: Peach Mask
Ingredients
1 ripe peach
1 egg white
1 tsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
Instructions
Peel and pit the peach. Blend together with egg white and yogurt until smooth. Pat gently onto face. Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
4. Smooth: Honey-Almond Mask
Ingredients
1 Tbsp honey
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp almond oil
1 Tbsp yogurt
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Apply layer to face, leave on 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently wipe residue with a damp cloth.
5. Refresh: Cucumber-Parsley Mask
Ingredients
1 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp chopped cucumber
1 Tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
Puree cucumber and parsley until smooth. Add yogurt and mix well. Apply mixture to skin, let sit 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
6. Reduce Oil: Yeast-Yogurt Mask
Ingredients
1 tsp brewer’s yeast
2 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
Instructions
Mix enough yogurt into the yeast to make a thin paste. Pat gently onto oily areas and allow to dry. Leave on no longer than 20 minutes. Rinse first with warm water, then cold. Blot dry.
7. Moisturize: Chocolate Mask
Ingredients
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp cottage cheese
4 tsp honey
1 tsp oatmeal
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in blender. Smooth onto face. Let sit 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Body Scrub and Salt Glow Recipes
Use these easy at-home body scrub recipes to bring life back into tired skin and give you the youthful glow of nourished, healthy skin all year round!
8. Coffee Body Scrub
Coffee tightens and rejuvenates skin, while raw sugar exfoliates, and olive oil seals in moisturize.
Ingredients
2 cups of coarse ground coffee
1/2 cup Turbinado raw sugar
3 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Take a warm bath or hot shower to open your pores and hydrate your skin. Rub the coffee mixture into your skin in large circles with even, firm pressure. Shower to rinse, pat dry, and follow with unscented body lotion or light vegetable oil.
9. Almond-Oatmeal Scrub
Almond meal and oatmeal slough off dead skin cells, as sage tones. Whole-milk yogurt reinforces with the oil naturally released from the almonds during scrubbing to replenish the skin’s natural moisture.
Ingredients
2/3 cup coarse ground almonds
1/3 cup dry fine oatmeal
½ tsp dried sage
plain full-fat yogurt as needed
Instructions
Add almonds, oatmeal, and sage to food processor or blender and grind on pulse until they reach the consistency of course meal. Keep covered and cool in an airtight container until ready for use. Upon each use, take medium-sized handful (around 1/4 cup) of the mixture and combine with enough yogurt to form a thick paste. Rub gently over skin with a washcloth or loofah sponge and rinse with cool water. Follow with gentle moisturizer.
10. Salt Glows
New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body – Natural Spa Quality Pore Reducer for Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin – Tightens Skin for A Healthier Complexion – 8.8 ozNew York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body – Natural Spa Quality Pore Reducer for Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin – Tightens Skin for A Healthier Complexion – 8.8 oz
11. Lemon Salt Glow
Sea salts bring a healthy glow to dull, dry skin,.which may then benefit as much from the antioxidant properties of lemon as the rich nutrition of almond oil.
Ingredients
½ cup sea salt
½ cup sweet almond oil
½ tsp finely grated lemon zest
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, taking extra care not to let any water touch the ingredients, as it will dissolve the salts. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Before showering, swirl ingredients together with fingertips to reintegrate, then apply to body in firm scrubbing motion with hand or soft washcloth. Step into the shower and let power of the water stream rinse off the mixture. (Particularly effective as an exfoliant and moisturizer for a smooth, nick-free shave.)
12. Tropical Sugar Scrub
Sugar granules gently remove dead skin cells, which are in turn nourished by the combined power of coconut, mango, and orange.
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup fresh mango puree
1 cup coconut oil
Instructions
Mix sugar into coconut oil until evenly distributed before stirring in lemon juice and mango puree. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, scoop out a generous amount of sugar scrub and rub with open palms into skin. Rinse well.
Facial Cleanser and Scrub Recipes
Nothing beats the tingle of freshly-washed skin. It somehow makes you more prepared to meet the day!
Try some of these easy-to-follow recipes for homemade cleansers and scrubs that provide amazing benefits, for a fraction of the cost of those expensive brand-name formulas at the drug store. Making your own facial cleansers and scrubs ensures that there are no additives or fillers, just good, healthy nutrition for your skin!
13. Sweet-and-Sour Cleanser
This unique combination of ingredients leaves your skin smooth and radiant.
Ingredients
4 Tbsp plain yogurt
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp lime juice
Instructions
Blend ingredients, adding cornstarch as a thickening agent if needed. Apply to face and massage 1-2 minutes. Rinse.
14. Sugar-And-Spice Scrub
This facial scrub really is as good as it smells — good for your skin, that is!
Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp ground oatmeal
1 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar for further use. Scrub face with mixture 2-3 minutes, rinse, and pat dry.
15. Thyme-to-Wash Cleanser
Reduces puffiness and irritation while gently toning skin.
Ingredients
1/2 Tbsp dried thyme
2 tsp crushed fennel seeds
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 lemon, juiced
Instructions
Stir together thyme and fennel seeds, cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice, let steep 15 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Use a cotton ball to dab onto face each morning, and rinse.
16. Oatmeal Exfoliating Scrub
A quick and easy exfoliator for beauty emergencies!
Ingredients
2 heaped tsp fine oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
Mix oatmeal and baking soda, add enough water to make a thick paste. Rub over face, rinse, pat dry.
17. Honey Cleanser
Softens skin and seals in moisture.
Ingredients
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup glycerin
1 Tbsp liquid soap
Instructions
Combine until well blended, pour into small bottle for future use. Apply small amount to washcloth or face sponge, rub onto face, rinse with warm water. Pat dry.
18. Citrus Scrubbing Grains
Follow this invigorating scrub with a good moisturizer for optimum results.
Ingredients
1/2 cup dried orange peel
1/2 cup dried lemon peel
1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 cup blanched almonds
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender and whirl until reduced to fine powder. Store in an airtight container for future use. Moisten grains in the palm of your hand with a little water, scrub over face in circular motions, rinse with warmish water, pat face dry.
19. Coconut Cleanser
A moisture-rich and nutritious treat for your face
Ingredients
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp glycerin
2 tsp water
Instructions
Melt ingredients together over very low heat. When liquid, remove from heat and beat as mixture cools. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator to maintain thick consistency. Massage over face, rinse, pat dry.
19. Almond-Mayonnaise Scrub
An exfoliating scrub for dry skin.
Ingredients
1/4 cup almonds
1/8 tsp mayonnaise
Instructions
Grind almonds in a blender or food processor to create a fine meal-like consistency. Add mayonnaise, blend on low only until mixed. Rub paste gently over face, leave 10 minutes. Rinse.
Recipes for Puffy Eyes and Dark Circle Remedies
20. Green Tea Cucumber Slices
A variation on the traditional cucumber remedy, with twice the results.
Ingredients:
½ cucumber
1 green tea bag
Instructions:
Brew green tea, steep, chill. Slice cucumber and add to green tea. Refrigerate until cool. Place soaked cucumber slices over eyes for 10 minutes.
21. Potato Puffiness Cure Cream
Moisturize and soothe your eyes with this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
1/2 raw potato
1 tsp urea-free moisturizer
Instructions:
Peel potato, grate finely. Measure 2 teaspoonfuls into moisturizer, mix well. Apply liberally around eyes, cover with damp cotton pads or gauze. Let rest 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Increase your circulation by using sour cream and parsley pillows.
22. Sour Cream and Parsley Pillows
Reduces puffiness and increases circulation.
Ingredients:
2 tsp sour cream
1 tsp fresh parsley
2 squares cheesecloth
Instructions:
Chop parsley finely, and mix into sour cream. Place half of the mixture into the middle of each square of cheesecloth, fold into “pillows,” put one on each eye for 10–15 minutes.
Take care of tired eyes nightly with this compress.
23. Easy Herbal Compress
A nightly treatment for ongoing eye care.
Ingredients:
1 tsp sage
1/2 cup water
Instructions:
Boil water, steep sage leaves for 10 minutes. Strain, separate water into two bowls. Soak two gauze pads or cotton balls in each bowl, and put one bowl in the refrigerator, then alternate the application to the eyes: 10 minutes warm, 10 minutes cool.
Alternatively, try substituting chamomile or dill weeds for sage.
Lutein, which can be found in avocados, is great for the eyes!
24. Avocado-Almond Rinse
A rich masque for your eyes.
Ingredients:
5 drops almond oil
3 slices ripe avocado
Instructions:
Blend almond oil into avocado, and smear around eyes. Then, rest for 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
25. Other Tips
For immediate relief of irritated eyes, mix a teaspoon of salt with 3/4 cup filtered water and flush the entire area.
If you know that you tend to have problems with puffy or dark-circled eyes, take extra care to avoid the things that irritate them. Drink plenty of water. If you work a desk job, take breaks of at least 60 seconds from staring at the computer screen every 15 minutes during the day.
The best cure for puffy eyes is the simplest, yet somehow the hardest to achieve: Get more sleep.
