When it comes to facials and skin treatments we think of complex creams with mysterious chemicals and exotic ingredients. Actually the best skin-care can be found right in your own pantry! Common foods laying about your kitchen provide an easy, natural, and inexpensive way to treat your skin. Fresh foods provide an excellent spa treatment without dangerous preservatives and chemicals such as parabens and phthalates found in many cosmetic products. And, of course, there’s the “feel good” factor. It makes you feel good to take some time to pamper yourself and have better looking skin.

Follow the recipes we have here or have fun experimenting with your own. For best results, cleanse, scrub to exfoliate, then open your pores with hot water or steam. Massage in the mask and relax for at least ten minutes then wash off gently finishing with a splash of cool water to close the pores. Don’t forget to place cucumber slices on your eyes. Enjoy!

While all these ingredients are natural, always be aware of any potential food allergies you may have and avoid those ingredients.

Cleansers

Milk cleanser (for oily skin)
To cleanse and exfoliate, mix 1 tsp. powdered milk with 1 tsp. water and gently massage into skin for 2 minutes.

Yogurt Cleanser (for sensitive skin)                                                                                                                                                
Cleanse and exfoliate in one step by mixing 1 tsp. baking soda with 1 tsp. plain yogurt.  Apply mixture and leave on for 2 minutes, then gently massage into skin.  Rinse well with warm water.  (Note: This combination gently cleans pores, removes dead cells and softens dry, sensitive skin without irritation.)  

Masks

Yogurt Antioxidant, Anti-wrinkle Mask (for normal skin)
Combine 1 tsp. fresh orange juice and 1 tsp. plain yogurt.  
Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 10 to 15
minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Avocado Yogurt Mask (for dry skin)
Puree 1 ripe avocado and blend with 4 tbsp. plain yogurt. Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Coconut Milk and Pineapple Mask (for oily skin)
Mask twice a week with a combination of 1 tsp. fresh pineapple juice, 1 tsp. warm coconut milk and 1-1/2 tsp. cornstarch.  
Apply to the face and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Olive Oil and Avocado Mask (for sensitive skin)
Mask twice a week by combining 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil and 1-1/2 tsp. mashed avocado.  Chill mixture briefly, then massage into skin and leave on for 5 minutes.  Remove mask with a soft cotton cloth.

Coconut and pineapple mask (for combination skin)                                                                                              
Mix 1 tsp. warm coconut milk with 1 tsp. cornstarch and 1 tsp. pineapple juice.

Scrubs

Almond Honey Scrub
Mix 2 tbsp. crushed almonds with 1 tbsp. honey. Smooth on face and leave on for 5 minutes. Rub in well, then rinse.

Yogurt Almond Scrub (for blemished skin)
Mix 3 tbsp. ground almonds and 1/2 cup yogurt. Massage into face and then rinse with cool water.

Almond Mayonnaise Scrub (for very dry skin)
Grind 1/4 cup almonds in blender until they form a meal. Whirl in 1/8 tsp. mayonnaise. First, rinse your skin with vinegar. Then rub in the scrub gently and thoroughly. Leave on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse off
and follow with Vinegar rinse.

Toners

Lemon Juice Toner (for oily skin)
Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice with a cotton ball

Rose Water Toner (for sensitive skin)
To gently balance and tone, apply rose water with a cotton ball.