Do It Yourself Home Spa Treatments

You've probably heard the term "Aromatherapy" before, but maybe weren't sure what that meant.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using plant oils for psychological and physical well-being. It is believed that different smells can influence our moods. Aromatherapy starts with essential oils. Products that use essential oils are candles, reed diffusers, oil burn pots, room sprays or bottles of the pure oils.

To create a spa-like environment, you may want to include aromatherapy. Here are a few examples of the scents and their effects:

Calm
* Chamomile
* Rose

Soothe
* Lavender
* Vanilla

Relax
* Clary Sage
* Neroli

Clarify
* Rosemary
* Peppermint

To make a room mist out of pure essential oils, add 7-8 drops of each essential oil to a 1 ounce glass misting bottle filled with spring or distilled
water. Shake well before each mist.

Click here to learn more about essential oils and their effects on mood.

Unwinding and destressing could be as easy as a luxurious soak in the tub. You can make products at home to soften your skin and lift your spirits!

FRAGRANT MILK BATH

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup dry milk powder
1 cup cornstarch
1/8 tsp. Fragrance Oil of your choice

Blend together all ingredients in a blender. Add 1/2 cup mixture to hot bath water.
--------------------------

PEPPERMINT MILK BATH
(Invigorate your body and mind!)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups hot water
1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

DIRECTIONS:
Mix ingredients together with a whisk until powdered milk is dissolved then pour into running bath.

-----------------------------

HONEY MILK BATH
(Great moisturizing and softening bath soak!)

INGREDIENTS:

3 tbs Honey
1 Cup Hot Water
2 tbs of milk power

DIRECTIONS:
Dissolve honey into the hot water and then stir in the powdered milk. Pour the mix into a running bath.

This mix will last 1-2 days in the fridge, but it best used when made.

Before applying mask, clean skin thoroughly then pull hair back into a pony tail or with a head band.

DEEP CLEANSING FRUIT MASK
(Helps unclog pores. Great for sensitive skin.)

INGREDIENTS

6 or 8 oz plain yogurt
1 carrot
1/2 peach
1/2 cucumber

DIRECTIONS
Chop the carrot, peach, and cucumber into small pieces. Place in food processor and mix into a paste. (It's okay if it's a little runny.) Apply and let sit on the skin for 10 minutes. Rinse.

INGREDIENT BENEFITS
Carrot
* Soothing power
* Anti-inflammatory

Cucumber
* Refreshing and moisturizing
* Softening effect

Peach
* Emollient
* Soothing effect

------------------------------------

OATMEAL BLUEBERRY MASK

This easy mask, used once or twice monthly, will both deep clean and exfoliate your face. It's particularly beneficial for oily skin, as it has a drying and pulling effect.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon honey
5-6 almonds, whole

DIRECTIONS:
Puree all ingredients in a blender until finely blended. Spread mixture over your face, and allow to set and dry (10-15 minutes). Rinse with warm water, and splash your skin with cool water or toner.

This mask may be stored in your refrigerator for up to one week, covered tightly.

------------------------------------

CHOCOLATE FACIAL MASK

This decadent mask is actually an excellent moisturizer -- it leaves your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tsp. cottage cheese
1/4 cup honey
3 tsp. oatmeal

DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together (a bullet blender is ideal) and smooth onto face. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Get this and other great facial recipes here.

Body scrubs are great to use about once a week. By scrubbing off the top layer of dead skin cells your skin will feel smoother and your moisturizer will penetrate easier. Rub in a circular motion toward the heart for increased circulation.

BROWN SUGAR BODY SCRUB
(Sugar is a natural exfoliant)

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 cups brown sugar
* 1 cup honey
* 3 Tbs. lemon juice
* 2 tsp. ginger

DIRECTIONS:
Grate fresh ginger, or use the powdered variety if fresh is not available. Mix all ingredients then take into the shower with you and apply handfuls at a time to skin in a circular motion to polish the skin. Rinse off and pat dry then apply your favorite body lotion.

* Note: Should keep for several days in the refrigerator in a closed plastic container.

----------------------------

COFFEE BODY SCRUB
(Caffeine is known to tone and firm skin)

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
* 1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
* 2-3 T massage oil

DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee scrub onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.

----------------------------

SALT SCRUB
This takes a few more ingredients that you may not have on hand, but has luxurious results.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup oil (sweet almond, grapeseed or rice bran oil)
1 cup sea salt (You can also substitute sugar, which is gentler)
5 drops essential oils. (The oil you choose for your body scrub depends on the result you want. See my section on essential oils)

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the oil and salt in a bowl and mix well. Add essential oil and combine well. To use, apply to dry skin using circular strokes to exfoliate the skin. Sit on the side of the tub to keep the scrub from making a mess. Don't use a salt scrub if you have any cuts in your skin. Shower off or follow with a warm bath, then apply your favorite lotion.

Our feet and hands do a lot of work for us during the day. Use the following recipes to pamper them!

Great essential oils that invigorate are peppermint, eucalyptus and lemon.

BASIC FOOT SOAK
(Use essential oils to pamper your feet!)

INGREDIENTS:

Enough water to cover your feet (should be hot.)
1/2 cup of Epsom salt (or sea salt)
2-3 drops of essential oil of your choice

DIRECTIONS:
Add Epsom salt to water then add essential oil of your choice. Soak feet as long as you want. Pat dry then moisturize.

-----------------------------

Citrus Foot Soak

INGREDIENTS:

Enough water to cover your feet (should be hot.)
1 cup of sea salt or kosher salt
5-10 mint leaves
1 lemon or lime sliced

DIRECTIONS:
Mix salt, crushed mint leaves and sliced lemon or lime into water. Let your feet soak for awhile and relax. Pat dry and apply moisturizer.

-------------------------------

SOOTHING HAND TREATMENT

INGREDIENTS:

1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
Apply a mixture of honey and olive oil to hands, then place them in small plastic bags for 15 minutes. The heat helps the treatment penetrate. Rinse hand then moisturize.