MASKS
The fun part of facials! Masks should be used from 1 to 3 times a week. Apply mask to clean, damp skin, and leave on for 20 minutes. Remove with a warm washcloth, then splash face with cold water. Use toner and moisturizer.
STEAMING- This step isn’t necessary but can be very beneficial before applying your mask.
Steam helps open pores and loosens dirt, oils, and blackheads. Steam also prepares your skin
to be more receptive to all the nutrients that the mask has to offer.
Prepare a pot of rapidly boiling water. If you desire the added benefits of herbs, add them
just before taking pot off stove. Place hot pads on counter or table, wherever you can be
situated comfortably over the steaming water, and place pot of boiling water on hot pads.
Place towel over head and hold head over steaming vapours for 3 to 5 minutes or until steam
fades away, whichever you can tolerate the longest.
If you grow herbs, or have cheap access to them, here is a list of beneficial herbs that you
can put in your steam facial. When facial is over, line colander with washcloth and pour water
and herbs from pot into colander. Smooth herbs evenly over washcloth. Carefully pick up
washcloth out of colander and place over face for an instant herbal mask. Leave in place for 5
to 10 minutes. Remove and pat dry.
Helpful to Oily Complexions: Lemon slices, Rose petals, Chamomile, Rosemary
Helpful for Dry Skin: Clover, Elderflowers, Violets, Fennel, Yarrow
Disinfecting and Soothing for Skin: Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Sage (also good for
clearing sinus passages when you have a cold.)
FRUIT MASKS - Puree enough fruit to cover face and throat. If you have dry skin, add 1 tsp.
milk, oil, or 1 egg yolk. If skin is oily, add 1 tsp. lemon juice or 1 egg white.
Apples- Gentle tightening qualities drawn from pectin.
Apricots- Nourishing to skin due to vitamin A.
Avocados- Gently astringent and nourishing.
Bananas- Relieves dry skin.
Grapes- Moisturizes all skin types.
Melons- Refreshes and tightens pores.
Oranges- Erases fatigue and slows aging.
Papayas- Heals blemished skin.
Peaches- Refreshes tired skin.
Pears- Astringent qualities, beneficial to oily skin.
Pineapples- Enzymes create good skin texture.
Plums- Good for oily skin.
Strawberries- Cleans and tightens pores.
EGG MASKS - Everyone knows the benefits of eggs as natural skin beautifiers!
Whole Eggs- Beat until frothy and apply to face. Let dry, then rinse. For all skin types.
Egg Whites- Refines pores and draws out impurities. Smooth on with fingertips, let dry and rinse. Good for oily skin.
Egg Yolks- Gentle skin firmer. Beat yolk and apply to face. Let dry then rinse with warm
water. Good for dry and normal skin types.
MILK MASKS - Good by themselves or combined with other ingredients.
Buttermilk- Blanches skin to create an even tone.
Canned Milk- For delicate skin. Apply thin layer and let dry. Apply second layer and let dry. Do this again and again until you have applied 4 layers and face is stiff. Rinse with warm water.
Dry Milk- Tightens skin’s pores. Make a paste with water and apply to skin. Add a little peppermint extract for a cooling mask.
Skim Milk- Aids oily skin.
Sour Cream- Soothing skin tightener. Good for dry skin.
Yogurt- Helps thicken other masks, has anti-bacterial qualities and can be used to lighten skin. Good for all skin types.
HERB MASKS- Blend fresh herbs in blender with yogurt to create paste for mask.
Aloe Vera- Soothing and healing. Use sap from leaves by itself.
Borage- Good for dry, sensitive skin.
Calendula- Heals damaged, problem skin.
Comfrey- Soothing and healing to skin and blemishes.
Dandelion- Rich emollient for mature skin.
Fennel- Soothing to skin.
Lavender- Gentle healing properties. Good for all skin types.
Mints- Refines pores. Stimulating.
Parsley- Conditioner for dry, problem skin.
Rosemary- Invigorating and antiseptic.
Sage- Astringent qualities and tightens pores.
VEGETABLE MASKS- Who hasn’t used a cucumber mask? Vegetables are great beautifiers.
Carrots- Helps firm skin. Cook and mash carrots. Apply while still warm (not hot!)
Cucumbers- Tightens pores and refreshes skin. Puree in blender, apply to skin and relax for 15 minutes.
Peas- Evens out skin tone. Puree peas in blender and pat over skin.
Tomatoes- Refines pores and acts as a mild astringent. Place thin slices or pulp over skin and relax for 10 minutes.
HONEY- A soothing facial all by itself. Smooth on skin and allow to remain for 5 min.
The above ingredients can also be mixed to create your own personalized masks. For
example, if you are having a problem with oily skin and your skin looks blotchy, try whipping
up an egg white with some lemon juice for a mask. Study the benefits of all the ingredients
and then experiment and create your own special recipes!
Here’s a great recipe.
MAGIC MASK
1 Tbsp. Oatmeal
½ tsp. Cornmeal
1 Egg White
Combine ingredients and mix well. Apply to face. Let mask dry, then remove it by rubbing
gently with your fingers until the mask flakes off. Rinse face with hot water, then splash on
cold water. Use toner and moisturizer.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
NATURAL BEAUTY TREATMENTS- 2
MOISTURIZERS:
Natural oils are nourishing to the skin and are absorbed quickly. Pat a few drops around
eyes and any trouble spots first. Add a few more drops to your palms and gently pat around the rest of your face and throat. If you have time, just let the oils soak in naturally into the skin, but if you are in a hurry, rinse a washcloth in warm water, ring out excess water and lay over face for a minute. Your skin will feel wonderful! Health food stores carry a lot of these oils. Grocery stores also carry some of these oils. Try to find oils that are cold pressed. Processing temperatures destroy the benefits of natural oils.
Almond Oil- Good for all skin types. Best if used as a message oil, it relieves itching, dry
skin. Will go rancid quickly, so buy in small amounts.
Apricot Kernel Oil- High in vitamin A, apricot kernel oil is rich and nourishing. It is especially
helpful for dehydrated, mature or sensitive skin.
Avocado Oil- A rich, heavy oil that is high in vitamin A and E. Good for dry, dehydrated or
mature skin. Goes rancid quickly.
Borage Oil- Stimulates skin cell activity and encourages skin regeneration. Beneficial to all
skin types.
Canola Oil- Penetrates the skin quickly and softens skin. It has a high content of linoleic acid,
which promotes skin health. Resists rancidity.
Evening Primrose Oil- High in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and helps the skin repair itself.
Good for dry and premature aging of the skin.
Flaxseed Oil- High in vitamin E, making it useful for preventing scarring and stretch marks. It
nourishes the skin and helps in cell regeneration.
Grapeseed Oil- A light oil that easily absorbs into the skin. Good for all skin types.
Jojoba Oil- Very similar in composition to natural skin oils and penetrates the skin rapidly to
nourish it. Has antioxidant properties and when combined with other oils will help keep them
from going rancid as quickly as they otherwise would. Excellent for all skin types and is very
healing.
Olive Oil- Soothes, heals and lubricates the skin. However, it has a strong odor.
Soy Oil- A light oil that can be used for all skin types. It is nourishing to dry skin and is readily
absorbed into the skin.
Sunflower Oil- Easily absorbed into the skin and can be used for all skin types. High in vitamin
E, which makes it especially helpful for delicate and dry skin.
Wheat Germ Oil- A thick, sticky antioxidant oil that is rich in vitamin E. Beneficial to all skin
types.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Adding essential oils to the natural vegetable oils not only adds fragrance but adds special
properties that are beneficial to the body and spirit. Just add 1 drop of any favorite essential
oil to a teaspoon of your favorite vegetable oil before using as a moisturiser to your skin.
Essential oils can be very expensive*, however, and are not “essential” to add to your
moisturizers.
Basil Oil- Enlivens dull looking skin, improves skin tone and gives the complexion a rosy glow.
Bergamot Oil- Antiseptic action makes it useful in treating acne and skin infections. A nice
orange smell. May make skin photosensitive.
Clary Sage Oil- Promotes regeneration of skin cells, helping skin to look young and healthy.
Geranium Oil- Helpful to most all skin types. Speeds healing of acne, soothes dry skin, and
imparts a healthy glow to the complexion.
Lavender Oil- Reduces inflamation of acne and soothes sunburned skin.
Lemon Oil*- Helps control oily skin.
Orange Oil*- Promotes the production of collagen which helps keep skin younger looking. An
interesting note: the big news in the beauty world is vitamin C serum for younger looking skin.
However, people are being charged exorbitant amounts for practically sample sizes. Orange
Oil has the vitamin C in it that penetrates the skin easily and deeply and costs only pennies in
comparison. May cause sensitivity to sunlight (but so does the expensive vitamin C serum).
Patchouli Oil- Regenerates skin cells and reputed to ward off wrinkles.
Rosemary Oil- Stimulates cell renewal. Improves dry skin and improves circulation.
Rosewood Oil- Balances all skin types.
Ylang Ylang Oil- Effective in treating oily skin by reducing excessive oiliness. Antibacterial
properties help fight and heal blemishes.
*These oils are the least expensive of all essential oils and have the overall benefits for all skin
types.
Natural oils are nourishing to the skin and are absorbed quickly. Pat a few drops around
eyes and any trouble spots first. Add a few more drops to your palms and gently pat around the rest of your face and throat. If you have time, just let the oils soak in naturally into the skin, but if you are in a hurry, rinse a washcloth in warm water, ring out excess water and lay over face for a minute. Your skin will feel wonderful! Health food stores carry a lot of these oils. Grocery stores also carry some of these oils. Try to find oils that are cold pressed. Processing temperatures destroy the benefits of natural oils.
Almond Oil- Good for all skin types. Best if used as a message oil, it relieves itching, dry
skin. Will go rancid quickly, so buy in small amounts.
Apricot Kernel Oil- High in vitamin A, apricot kernel oil is rich and nourishing. It is especially
helpful for dehydrated, mature or sensitive skin.
Avocado Oil- A rich, heavy oil that is high in vitamin A and E. Good for dry, dehydrated or
mature skin. Goes rancid quickly.
Borage Oil- Stimulates skin cell activity and encourages skin regeneration. Beneficial to all
skin types.
Canola Oil- Penetrates the skin quickly and softens skin. It has a high content of linoleic acid,
which promotes skin health. Resists rancidity.
Evening Primrose Oil- High in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and helps the skin repair itself.
Good for dry and premature aging of the skin.
Flaxseed Oil- High in vitamin E, making it useful for preventing scarring and stretch marks. It
nourishes the skin and helps in cell regeneration.
Grapeseed Oil- A light oil that easily absorbs into the skin. Good for all skin types.
Jojoba Oil- Very similar in composition to natural skin oils and penetrates the skin rapidly to
nourish it. Has antioxidant properties and when combined with other oils will help keep them
from going rancid as quickly as they otherwise would. Excellent for all skin types and is very
healing.
Olive Oil- Soothes, heals and lubricates the skin. However, it has a strong odor.
Soy Oil- A light oil that can be used for all skin types. It is nourishing to dry skin and is readily
absorbed into the skin.
Sunflower Oil- Easily absorbed into the skin and can be used for all skin types. High in vitamin
E, which makes it especially helpful for delicate and dry skin.
Wheat Germ Oil- A thick, sticky antioxidant oil that is rich in vitamin E. Beneficial to all skin
types.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Adding essential oils to the natural vegetable oils not only adds fragrance but adds special
properties that are beneficial to the body and spirit. Just add 1 drop of any favorite essential
oil to a teaspoon of your favorite vegetable oil before using as a moisturiser to your skin.
Essential oils can be very expensive*, however, and are not “essential” to add to your
moisturizers.
Basil Oil- Enlivens dull looking skin, improves skin tone and gives the complexion a rosy glow.
Bergamot Oil- Antiseptic action makes it useful in treating acne and skin infections. A nice
orange smell. May make skin photosensitive.
Clary Sage Oil- Promotes regeneration of skin cells, helping skin to look young and healthy.
Geranium Oil- Helpful to most all skin types. Speeds healing of acne, soothes dry skin, and
imparts a healthy glow to the complexion.
Lavender Oil- Reduces inflamation of acne and soothes sunburned skin.
Lemon Oil*- Helps control oily skin.
Orange Oil*- Promotes the production of collagen which helps keep skin younger looking. An
interesting note: the big news in the beauty world is vitamin C serum for younger looking skin.
However, people are being charged exorbitant amounts for practically sample sizes. Orange
Oil has the vitamin C in it that penetrates the skin easily and deeply and costs only pennies in
comparison. May cause sensitivity to sunlight (but so does the expensive vitamin C serum).
Patchouli Oil- Regenerates skin cells and reputed to ward off wrinkles.
Rosemary Oil- Stimulates cell renewal. Improves dry skin and improves circulation.
Rosewood Oil- Balances all skin types.
Ylang Ylang Oil- Effective in treating oily skin by reducing excessive oiliness. Antibacterial
properties help fight and heal blemishes.
*These oils are the least expensive of all essential oils and have the overall benefits for all skin
types.
BEAUTY TREATMENTS FROM NATURE
Pampering yourself is soothing to the spirit and quite refreshing to the soul. Take a few
minutes each day to do something special for yourself. “Because your worth it!” can take on
a whole new meaning!
Try these beauty treatments that come out of your kitchen. They work as good if not
better than the expensive commercial cosmetics, but cost only pennies. In fact, all the
recipes I have included in this section are made from the simplest pantry items which produce
the best results.
CLEANSING: The first basic step in skin care, cleansing can be done simply and
inexpensively with just a few staples from the kitchen. Recipes are good for all skin types.
FARI-OAT SCRUB
1 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
1 Tbsp. farina (uncooked)
Grind oatmeal to a gritty powder in blender. Add farina and blend throughly. Store in closed container.
To use: Splash face with hot water several times to help dissolve accumulated dirt and grease.
Use about a Tbsp. of fari-oat powder and gently scrub over your face. Rinse well. Repeat if
you have very oily skin.
GENTLE FACIAL SCRUB
½ cup oatmeal (grind to powder in blender)
2 Tbsp. powdered milk
1 tsp. cornmeal
Combine ingredients in container or zip-lock bag and shake well. Combine 1 Tbsp. of mix
with enough water to make a creamy paste. Spread over face and throat. Message for a
minute and then rinse.
FACE AND BODY SCRUB
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup warmed olive oil
Stir salt and oil together and apply over face (and body if desired). Massage until a rosy glow
appears, then rinse with water and blot dry with a towel.
SKIN BALANCING SCRUB (Good for evening out blotchy skin and fading tans.)
1 Tbsp. yogurt (plain)
2 tsp. ground oatmeal
1 tsp. salt
Combine ingredients and apply to face and throat. Massage for 5 minutes. Rinse and towel
dry. Use weekly until skin begins to become more uniform in appearance.
HONEY CORNMEAL EXFOLIANT
1 ½ tsp. cornmeal
1 tsp. honey
½ tsp. water
Combine ingredients and let soften for 2 minutes. Massage onto face and throat and let set for
20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and towel blot dry.
CREAMY OATMEAL CLEANSER
1 cup ground oatmeal
1 cup powdered milk
Combine ingredients in bag or container. When ready to use, mix 2 tsp. of mixture with
enough water to make a smooth paste. Massage onto face and let set for 5 minutes. Rinse.
GENERIC PANTRY INGREDIENTS AND THEIR USES IN SKIN CARE:
BAKING SODA -Baking soda has an anti-inflammatory agent as well as being a good exfoliant. Make a thin paste of baking soda and water, then smooth over face and throat. Do not scrub, simply rinse off with warm water.
MAYONNAISE-Amazingly effective as a cleanser! Spread over face and remove with warm, damp washcloth.
SHORTENING-This is good for very dry skin. Use the white, all vegetable shortening and smooth over your entire face. Let remain on face for a few minutes and remove with a warm, damp washcloth.
POTATO-Raw, grated and then massaged onto face, potatoes are a great cleanser with blemish healing properties. Remove raw potato with a warm, damp washcloth.
WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR-Mix flour with a little water to make a smooth paste. Massage onto skin and then rinse. Cleanses and smoothes skin.
CLEANSING MILK-In small saucepan combine ½ cup milk, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil and 2 Tbsp. chamomile flowers. Heat together over very low heat for 30 minutes and do not let boil or form a skin. Let stand for 3 hours, then strain. Pour in jar and keep refrigerated. Apply with cotton ball, then wipe off. Will keep for 1 week.
A quick and simple cleansing milk is to combine 2 Tbsp. milk and ½ tsp. oil in small jar. Apply
with cotton ball, then wipe off.
minutes each day to do something special for yourself. “Because your worth it!” can take on
a whole new meaning!
Try these beauty treatments that come out of your kitchen. They work as good if not
better than the expensive commercial cosmetics, but cost only pennies. In fact, all the
recipes I have included in this section are made from the simplest pantry items which produce
the best results.
CLEANSING: The first basic step in skin care, cleansing can be done simply and
inexpensively with just a few staples from the kitchen. Recipes are good for all skin types.
FARI-OAT SCRUB
1 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
1 Tbsp. farina (uncooked)
Grind oatmeal to a gritty powder in blender. Add farina and blend throughly. Store in closed container.
To use: Splash face with hot water several times to help dissolve accumulated dirt and grease.
Use about a Tbsp. of fari-oat powder and gently scrub over your face. Rinse well. Repeat if
you have very oily skin.
GENTLE FACIAL SCRUB
½ cup oatmeal (grind to powder in blender)
2 Tbsp. powdered milk
1 tsp. cornmeal
Combine ingredients in container or zip-lock bag and shake well. Combine 1 Tbsp. of mix
with enough water to make a creamy paste. Spread over face and throat. Message for a
minute and then rinse.
FACE AND BODY SCRUB
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup warmed olive oil
Stir salt and oil together and apply over face (and body if desired). Massage until a rosy glow
appears, then rinse with water and blot dry with a towel.
SKIN BALANCING SCRUB (Good for evening out blotchy skin and fading tans.)
1 Tbsp. yogurt (plain)
2 tsp. ground oatmeal
1 tsp. salt
Combine ingredients and apply to face and throat. Massage for 5 minutes. Rinse and towel
dry. Use weekly until skin begins to become more uniform in appearance.
HONEY CORNMEAL EXFOLIANT
1 ½ tsp. cornmeal
1 tsp. honey
½ tsp. water
Combine ingredients and let soften for 2 minutes. Massage onto face and throat and let set for
20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and towel blot dry.
CREAMY OATMEAL CLEANSER
1 cup ground oatmeal
1 cup powdered milk
Combine ingredients in bag or container. When ready to use, mix 2 tsp. of mixture with
enough water to make a smooth paste. Massage onto face and let set for 5 minutes. Rinse.
GENERIC PANTRY INGREDIENTS AND THEIR USES IN SKIN CARE:
BAKING SODA -Baking soda has an anti-inflammatory agent as well as being a good exfoliant. Make a thin paste of baking soda and water, then smooth over face and throat. Do not scrub, simply rinse off with warm water.
MAYONNAISE-Amazingly effective as a cleanser! Spread over face and remove with warm, damp washcloth.
SHORTENING-This is good for very dry skin. Use the white, all vegetable shortening and smooth over your entire face. Let remain on face for a few minutes and remove with a warm, damp washcloth.
POTATO-Raw, grated and then massaged onto face, potatoes are a great cleanser with blemish healing properties. Remove raw potato with a warm, damp washcloth.
WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR-Mix flour with a little water to make a smooth paste. Massage onto skin and then rinse. Cleanses and smoothes skin.
CLEANSING MILK-In small saucepan combine ½ cup milk, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil and 2 Tbsp. chamomile flowers. Heat together over very low heat for 30 minutes and do not let boil or form a skin. Let stand for 3 hours, then strain. Pour in jar and keep refrigerated. Apply with cotton ball, then wipe off. Will keep for 1 week.
A quick and simple cleansing milk is to combine 2 Tbsp. milk and ½ tsp. oil in small jar. Apply
with cotton ball, then wipe off.
SELF PRESERVATION
“...One of the adversaries favourite tactics among righteous LDS women is busyness -getting us so preoccupied with the flurry of daily life that we fail to immerse ourselves in the
gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Sheri L. Dew
Taking time for ourselves is vital for our self preservation as stay-at-home women. This helps us to reestablish our self-worth and reduces the stress of day-to-day living by slowing us down. Elder Ballard counseled women last April conference to cut out all the extras that make us too busy as women and mothers. "... As you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."
BEGIN WITH YOUR FOUNDATION
The most essential daily thing that we can do for our self-preservation is to take the time to
replenish our spirits by reading the scriptures. This is the foundation of our very essence and
connects us to God. If we are to have the moral strength, commitment and courage to stand
for women and families, then we need to re-fortify daily by immersing ourselves into the
scriptures and other words of church leaders. This is just the beginning of taking time for
ourselves.
NATURAL BEAUTY VS GLAMOUR
Another important part of self-preservation is taking time to care for our outward bodies.
Each of us needs to feel beautiful and pampered, but do we confuse beauty with that glamour
that bombards us on the television and other media? When I think of glamour I think of artificially contrived beauty. A counterfeit to natural beauty, it is designed to keep our minds and hearts upon ourselves. Glamour is an illusion and nothing is as it seems. Glamour involves the purchase of exorbitant amounts of make-up, creams, lotions, patronizing expensive big name salons, spas, and health resorts. Skin deep is a concise way of describing glamour.
The most essential daily thing that we can do for our self-preservation is to take the time to
replenish our spirits by reading the scriptures. This is the foundation of our very essence and
connects us to God. If we are to have the moral strength, commitment and courage to stand
for women and families, then we need to re-fortify daily by immersing ourselves into the
scriptures and other words of church leaders. This is just the beginning of taking time for
ourselves.
NATURAL BEAUTY VS GLAMOUR
Another important part of self-preservation is taking time to care for our outward bodies.
Each of us needs to feel beautiful and pampered, but do we confuse beauty with that glamour
that bombards us on the television and other media? When I think of glamour I think of artificially contrived beauty. A counterfeit to natural beauty, it is designed to keep our minds and hearts upon ourselves. Glamour is an illusion and nothing is as it seems. Glamour involves the purchase of exorbitant amounts of make-up, creams, lotions, patronizing expensive big name salons, spas, and health resorts. Skin deep is a concise way of describing glamour.
Contrast that with natural beauty. Natural beauty begins deep in our souls, after all, real
beauty comes from the serenity and joy that we radiate. When we truly know that we are
daughters of God it shines for all to see. Beauty is only then enhanced by a healthy body and
clean appearance. Of course, make-up can be used to augment our features, but, if used in
excess can destroy our beauty.
Natural beauty is not expensive to reach. Healthy glowing skin, shining hair, sparkling
eyes and gleaming teeth, all stem from a little personal attention, cleanliness, exercise,
nutritious foods, a positive attitude and spirituality. Even if vibrant health is unattainable we
can still have the truest beauty available...the “goodness and beauty of angels”.
beauty comes from the serenity and joy that we radiate. When we truly know that we are
daughters of God it shines for all to see. Beauty is only then enhanced by a healthy body and
clean appearance. Of course, make-up can be used to augment our features, but, if used in
excess can destroy our beauty.
Natural beauty is not expensive to reach. Healthy glowing skin, shining hair, sparkling
eyes and gleaming teeth, all stem from a little personal attention, cleanliness, exercise,
nutritious foods, a positive attitude and spirituality. Even if vibrant health is unattainable we
can still have the truest beauty available...the “goodness and beauty of angels”.
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