Well hey there beautiful beauties! I hope you had a love filled Valentine’s Day. I also hope that you don’t let the love stop at Valentine’s Day, meaning, yes continue to be loving to your mate, AND to yourself. One good way to love yourself is to pamper yourself. Normally, when you hear the word pamper, you think of expensive spa treatments, but today we are going to bypass the spa and go straight to the kitchen. I’m pretty sure you have something in your kitchen that will give your local spa a run for their money. Don’t get me wrong; I love the spa! I love being able to sit back, relax and let someone else do the work, however; there are times when a professional spa treatment isn’t in the budget, so I have to go old school and mosey on in the kitchen. Besides, there are items in our kitchen that have been around since Jesus days and I see no need to render them useless.
- Honey is a natural moisturizer for dry skin.
- Avocados are a natural emollient. They are also packed with vitamins A, D, and E, which are great for retaining moisture and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Guacamole anyone?!
- Olive Oil is a great moisturizer for dry skin. The lipids from olive oil form a barrier that prevents moisture loss and is said to lessen the intensity of skin conditions such as rosacea, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
This list could go on forever! So, lets take a look at these natural recipes that will give you glowing, moisturized, and pampered skin. Be sure to wash your face with warm water to make sure your pores are open and ready to receive the goodness from these masks.
The Honey Nana Face Mask – Use to hydrate dry and peeling skin.
Mash up 1 small ripe banana, and mix with 2 tbs each of honey and milk.
Let this sit on your face for approx. 20-25 min and rinse with warm water.
This is one of my favorites. I use it once a week, or especially during winter months when my skin is super dry. Bananas also have anti-aging qualities to help fight wrinkles. Who needs botox when you have bananas?
Calming Cucumber Mask – Use to calm and refresh inflamed and agitated skin. Also, the lactic acid from the yogurt is a mild exfoliate.
Peel half of a cucumber. Puree it with 2 tbs of plain unsweetened yogurt. Massage this onto your damp face and let it dry. Rinse off with warm water.
Strawberry and Lemon Mask – Acne treatment and more.
Did you know that strawberries have the same ingredient that you find in most acne products? Yes, they contain salicylic acid. How’s that for a natural acne solution for the cheap! Not only will this mask help control the oil and acne on your face but it will also help to brighten blemishes. Thank God for strawberries and lemons!
Let your strawberries sit at room temperature. Approx 6 big ones.
Blend them with ¼ plain unsweetened yogurt, and 2tsp of fresh lemon juice. Massage this onto your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
These are just a few that I keep in my arsenal, but you can find sooooo many more out there on the World Wide Web. I simply wanted to give you guys something to keep your pockets fuller and face pampered! Open your pantry and explore the pampering possibilities.
Ciao!
Jay Davenport
#SkincareStarlet
