Orange Geranium French Clay Body Mask
This is a fantastically fragrant blend of delicious ingredients that will bring a smile to your face while removing excess dirt and build-up from the surface of your skin.
Ingredients:
5 ounces white clay (kaolin)
5 ounces French green clay
1/2 ounce honey
6 ounces distilled water
10 drops sweet orange essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
Blending Procedure:
Combine the white and green clays in a bowl and stir to mix fully.
Set aside.
In a heat proof bowl, warm the distilled water in the microwave.
Do not boil the water; make it warm to the touch.
Add the honey to the water and stir well to combine. Add the honey water to the clay a little at a time, mixing between each addition until a smooth and spreadable paste is formed. If the mixture is too dry after adding all of the honey water, add more water and stir to incorporate. If the mixture is too wet and runny after adding all of the honey water, add more clay and stir to incorporate.

Add the essential oils and stir well to combine. To use, place an old sheet or plastic bags together on a carpeted floor. Sit down and apply the mask to clean, damp skin. Relax for 15-20 minutes so the clay can exercise its drawing powers. Rinse well in the shower and follow with the moisturizer of your choice. Enjoy!!


Cucumber Facial Mask (Cleans and Moisturizes)
1 tbsp instant nonfat dry milk
1/2 peeled cucumber
1 tsp plain yogurt
Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to your face (avoid your eyes). Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off. Mix a fresh batch for each use.


Egg Facial Mask (Smooths and Moisturizes)
1 egg
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp honey
Beat the egg in a small bowl. Add the coconut oil and honey slowly, beating until it's the consistency of mayonnaise. Spoon mixture into a toilet paper roll, sitting upright in a small bowl. Set in the freezer overnight. To use, peel away the top of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Keep the stick covered with plastic wrap and freeze between uses.


Herbal Facial Mask (Cleans and Tightens Pores)
1 tbsp honey
1 egg
1 tsp crumbled dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Let dry (10-15 minutes) and rinse off with warm water.


Thyme Toner
*my skin benefits from alcohol's drying effects, if you want to avoid alcoholic products, then substitute witch hazel in its' place (read your label, most witch hazel extracts contain alcohol) if not using the vodka, you will want to keep this refrigerated and use within 1-2 months.
.5 ounce dried thyme
.3 ounce dried peppermint
.2 ounce dried basil
16 oz. distilled water
8 oz. vodka (80 proof)
20 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions: Heat water to boiling, pour over dried herbs in glass bowl, cover and let steep for 2 hours. Strain and measure 8 ounces of the herbal tea, add the 8 ounces of vodka, stir well. Stir in tea tree eo. Pour into container. Shake before use. Apply to cotton ball and wipe over face to remove imbedded dirt and oil and to close pores and help heal blemishes. I use this toner alternately with other toners not containing tea tree eo. The alcohol content in this toner can irritate the skin or sting open sores, so you may want to dilute it further but the preserving qualities of the alcohol will be diminished.

Becky's Ba-Da-Bing! Body Pack
6 Tablespoons kelp
6 Tablespoons clay
4 Tablespoons arrowroot or other powder ingredient
2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
2/3 cup warm water
(if you have dry skin, replace the water with cream)
Directions: Mix dry ingredients together, stir in warm water and mix until smooth, then stir in the oil and mix well. Let sit for about 10 minutes to thicken, then massage into the body. Leave on for about 1/2 hour, rinse off, follow up with a light body lotion.

Ooh-la-la Mousse Foot Wrap
you can use a drink blender for this recipe or a stick blender for best results.
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup grated cocoa butter
2 Tbs. emulsifying wax
3/4 cup distilled water
2 tsp. calendula petals, marshmallow root (half/half)
I use two different essential oil blends in this recipe depending on how I'm feeling, you can substitute whatever you like, here's what I use:
5 drops ylang-ylang eo
10 drops lavender
OR:
5 drops peppermint eo
5 drops eucalyptus eo
Directions: Combine oil, butter and wax and melt over low heat in double boiler or microwave on short bursts, stirring in-between. Heat water to just before boiling and pour over herbs in a glass bowl and let sit for 15 minutes, strain, squeezing all of the water out of the herbs. Let both mixtures cool to the point where they feel warm but not hot to the touch. Slowly pour the oil mixture into the water mixture while blending, continue blending until smooth. Stir in essential oils if using now. If not using right away, let cool completely before storing. This recipe should be applied warm as a foot wrap for more intensive treatment, similar to a hot oil treatment. Coat the feet with the cream, slathering it on thickly. Cover feet with plastic food storage baggies (gallon size) and then carefully slip into a pair of cushiony roomy socks, put your feet up and rest for at least an hour. The feet absorb eo's quickly, so be careful what you choose and use sparingly.


Mud Pack for Oily Skin by Brenda Tataryn

This is a good pack for drying up those spots and blackheads

Needed:
1 tbsp. fuller's earth
1 small carton natural yoghurt

First cleanse face.
Mix the earth with the yoghurt to form a paste.
Apply to face and neck with a small brush (such as a paint brush). Spread it on thickly.
Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water and splash the skin with cool water. Pat dry.



Homemade Spa Treatments
Creamy Face Pack
2 Tbs. clay (kaolin is nice for this treatment)
1 Tbs. honey (try to purchase raw honey when able)
3 tsp. cream
1 tsp. olive oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops rose geranium essential oil.
Directions: Mix all ingredients to a thick paste, depending on measurements, you may need to add more clay if too runny or more cream if too thick. Apply the pack to the face in a thick layer, curl up in a comfy chair and read a good book and relax for about 20 minutes. This mask does not dry out like most clay masks, it is great for mature, dry or combination skin, but shouldn't be used by those with acne or blemish problems. Follow up with a toner and/or moisturizer.

Moroccan Oil Buster
2 Tbs. Moroccan red clay
1 Tbs. witch hazel
1 tsp. cider vinegar
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
Directions: Mix all ingredients into a thick paste, if too thin, add more witch hazel, if too thick, add more clay. Spread over face after cleansing, allow to dry. To remove, place a warm, damp washcloth over the face to dampen the clay, gently massage off. Follow up with a toner or astringent.

Firming Face Mask-- Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores) and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Moisture Mask-- Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Rose Oil & Honey Facial Mask

Rejuvenate and replenish your skin. Sweet almond oil, which is light and easily absorbed, softens and nourishes skin. Honey as natural humectant, moisturizes, leaving even tired skin incredibly smooth.

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
5 drops essential oil of rose

Mix honey, sweet almond oil and essential oil of rose.

Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry to reveal a fresh, soft complexion.



Egg Yolk and Honey
A reader recently asked if anyone had a recipe for homemade facial masks. I often use an egg yolk and honey mask. Just mix one egg yolk with a little honey and spread it on your face and neck. When it dries, rinse it off. Your skin will feel so fresh and soft!
-- Sarah W.
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980423b.cfm


Lavender Scrubbing Mask
This mask is very flexible and various herbs can be substituted for the rose and lavender. It's a great gentle scrub and you can leave on for as long and short as you wish.

1 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup Wheat germ
1/4 Cup Ground Sesame Seed
Dried Rose Petals and Lavender Flowers

In a food processor, grind up the oats and add the wheat germ. Then add the sesame seeds and roses. Grind again until the petals or flowers are finely chopped. Once the mixture is well ground, remove and spread over a cookie sheet. Heat the oven at a low temperature. Make sure it is as low as possible as you don't want to burn the mixture. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and let the mixture dry for a few moments. Remove and add to a jar with a lid. To use pour some out on your palm and moisten with warm water. Apply and gently scrub your face with a circular motion. Let sit for a few moments and rinse off.
**Note: The mask is dried in the oven to stop the growth of bacteria and molds. Don't add to a jar that you haven't cleaned in boiling water before hand.


Lovely Lavender Oat Mask
1/2 c. ground whole oatmeal
6 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all well. I recommend that you add the essential oil before you grind the oats in a blender or food processor. You can add up to 12 drops per mix if you like a stronger fragrance mask. Lavender is great for the skin and one of the most 'safe' of the essential oils to use directly on the skin.

This recipe is great because you can cater to your skin type. For each mask you will need 2 tablespoons of your mix.
Normal skin type: add enough whole milk to make a thick paste
Oily skin type: add enough water to make a thick paste
Dry skin type: Add whole fresh cream to make a thick paste.

Smooth mask over the whole face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse. Rinsing is easiest when you use a warm cloth to soak and soften the mask before gently removing the mask.


GIVE YOURSELF A FACELIFT--AND FEEL BETTER. *Before using any mask--
Your face should be washed or cleaned with cream. Remember to protect your lips and eye areas. Leave mask on for 15-20 min. and washed off with warm water followed by a cold rinse.

Almond Facial Mask- Pulverized almonds made into a paste with a small amount of liquid. Best for oily skin, almonds soften the skin, cleanse it with their abrasive action as well protects it with protein.

Apricot Facial Mask- Fresh or dried mashed apricots mixed with warm alive oil to form a paste, Dry skin moisturizer, and vitamin A source. Bananas can also be used using the same method for dry skin.

Avocado Facial Mask- Mashed avocado heated over a double boiler until just warm. Dry skin moisturizer, provides protein and vitamins.

Brewer's Yeast Facial Mask- Mix into a paste using a small amount of water.

Cucumber- Slices or juice applied to face and hands, if desired. Leave on 10-15 min, then rinsed off. Best for oily skin (Astringent. cleansing, bleaching for freckles and discolored skin.)

Carrot Facial- Carrot shavings with a little lemon juice can be applied directly to the face like a facial mask. (Astringent, provides vitamin A.) Best for oily skin.

Fennel Facial Mask- For wrinkles try a strong infusion of fennel herb or seed, and a liberal amount of honey or yogurt. Antiseptic, Soothing, tones skin as well as removes wrinkles.

Honey Facial Mask- Massage a small amount of slightly heated honey over face. Leave on 15 min. Honey is a good antiseptic, cleanses pores, and tones skin. Good for oily and blemished skin. You can add wheat germ to the honey for abrasive action, protein, and vitamins.

Oatmeal Facial Mask- Apposite of dry regular oatmeal and a little warm water. Good for oily skin. (Dry oatmeal rubbed directly on skin will remove flaky, peeling skin)

Tomato Facial- Apply tomato slices or mashed tomato directly to face. Leave on 15 min, and rinse off. Good astringent and good against blackheads.





Facial Masks - Do It Yourself Mask
To make a mask you basically blend the clay into various and sundry things to moisten it, spread it on your face, let it dry for about 15 mins, and rinse it off.


Some suggested masks...
For very oily skin... moisten with Witch Hazel, or with Cypress or Cistus hydrosol. Ground oatmeal is a good addition here.

For 'normal' skin, blend with:
Honey
Egg yolk
Any type of hydrosol
Finely mashed papaya or avocado
And or all of the above

For dry skin, again, the mashed avocado, your favorite facial oil. egg yolk... cream...

For all the masks you can add three or four drops of an appropriate essential oil...make sure the EO is blended really well into the liquid.
Marge Clark 5/23/98


Glow Mask
1 tbsp fuller's earth
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp mashed papaya
Mix and put on face for 20 mins. rinse off.
apsy 2/18/99


Magical Egg White Mask Beat the white of one egg until stiff. Use hands or a washcloth to apply an even layer over your face. Wait until it gets stiff, then rinse off. If mixed with some lemon, it deep cleanses while taking away blotchiness. Tara 12/11/98


Silky Smooth Facial & Bath
Facial:
1 cup fresh cucumber juice
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup plain yogurt
6 drops Lavender
4 drops Geranium
Mix well and apply to face just before bath...

Bath:
8 drops Jasmine
8 drops Fennel
2 tbsp. Frac. coconut or Jojoba
Light a candle and relax........
Greg 12/08/98