Make Your Own

Spa Treatments!

Please note: I haven't actually done any of these treatments, but I found these recipes in a book I have and wanted to pass them along. I don't actually know how "frugal" they are but it's probably much cheaper than actually going to a spa!

Rosemary Herbal Foot Soak
Pour comfortably warm water into a plastic bowl so that it is half full. Add a handful of washed and chopped fresh rosemary leaves, and place your feet in the bowl. As the leaves infuse into the liquid and bathe the feet, they gently deodorize and tone the skin. Leave the feet to soak for 15 minutes. If you have very dry heels, rub a pumice stone gently on the hard skin to smooth it. Then lift your feet onto a towel and dry thoroughly. As an option, you can add 6 tablespoons whole milk to the water. This softens the skin as well.

Olive Oil & Lavender Foot Scrub
In a small bowl, pour 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Add 2 teaspoons fine sea salt as an exfoliator and stir. Add 20 drops lavender essential oil, and stir. Rest your feet on paper towels on top of a towel. Then carefully apply the scrub to one foot at a time, using small circular movements all over the foot, concentrating especially on any dry areas. When you have done this for about 10 minutes, use the paper towels to wipe off any excess scrub.

Green Clay & Orange Toning Mask (for oily or combination skin)
In a small bowl put 2 teaspoons green clay powder. Add grated zest and freshly squeezed juice of an orange and stir to a paste - add a little water if you need more liquid. The green clay is a skin purifier and the orange tones your pores. Moisten the skin with warm water. Then apply the mask all over the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave for 15 minutes, then remove with warm water and pat the skin dry.

Oatmeal, Yogurt & Geranium Mask (for dry or mature skin)
In a small bowl put 2 teaspoons fine oatmeal, 3 teaspoons natural yogurt, and 3 drops geranium essential oil; mix to a paste. Oatmeal is soothing and anti-inflammatory, yogurt is cooling and hydrating, and geranium oil balances the skin's natural oils. Moisten the skin with warm water. Then apply the mask all over the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave for 15 minutes, then remove with warm water and pat the skin dry.

Infused Chamomile Toner
In a small heatproof dish put 1 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons fresh chamomile flowers. Pour 1/3 cup near-boiling water over them, place a saucer over the liquid, and leave for 15 minutes to infuse; strain, then refrigerate. Apply to the skin with cotton balls to soothe the skin after the mask.

Geranium & Grapefruit Face Blend
In a small dish pour 4 teaspoons apricot kernel carrier oil; add 2 drops geranium and 4 drops grapefruit essential oils, and stir. Apricot kernel is a carrier for facial massage, geranium soothes the skin and grapefruit refreshes and tones. Apply the blend all over your face in tiny circular movements from forehead to chin.

Sugar & Lemon Exfoliating Scrub
In a small glass bowl put 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; add the zest of one lemon and one tablespoon lemon juice, then 2 tablespoons apricot kernel carrier oil. Stir together. Sugar granules exfoliate the skin, the lemon tones and cleanses, and apricot kernel is soothing and nourishing. Apply a small amount and work gently into the hands, including the fingers. Then wipe off any excess with a damp paper towel.

Marjoram, Rosemary & Lavender Milk Bath
Wash and trim a generous handful of fresh marjoram and rosemary leaves and chop them up; mix them in a saucer with 2 tablespoons Dead Sea mineral salts. Run the bath to a comfortable temperature, and add 6 tablespoons whole milk to the water. Then add the salt and herb mix, and swish it into the water; finally, add 3 drops lavender essential oil before getting in. Soak and relax for at least 20 minutes. Toward the end of the bath, use a good quality soap to lather your skin.

Almond, Honey & Lemon Facial Scrub
In a saucer, put 2 tablespoons ground almonds (if you are allergic to nuts you can use fine oatmeal), 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Mix together, then apply to the face in small circular movements, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes!!