Your are just 6 easy steps and 6 natural ingredients away from spoiling yourself with this At Home Herbal Spa Facial. So tie up your hair, light a candle, and lets get started!
First, gather your ingredients listed below along with 5 small containers to make your cleanser, exfoliant, mask, toner, and moisturizer. Then all you need is a sink with warm water, about 7 wash cloths, and a few cotton balls.
At Home Herbal Spa Facial Items
- 2 Tbsp of jojoba oil
- 2 single drops of lavender essential oil
- 1 Tbsp of dried oats, ground
- 2 Tbsp of dried sea clay powder
- 1 Tbsp of finely ground sea salt
- 1 Tbsp of witch hazel
- Plus: 6-8 wash cloths, 5 shot glasses or small containers, cotton balls, water, and a sink
Herbal Spa Facial Step 1: Cleanse
- Combine 1 Tbsp of jojoba oil with ONLY 1 drop of lavender essential oil.
- Then, massage the face and neck thoroughly but gently for 1-2 minutes using a wash cloth.
Herbal Spa Facial Step 2: Exfoliate
- Mix 1 Tbsp of dried ground oats, 1 Tbsp of dried sea clay powder, and 1 Tbsp of finely ground sea salt with water.
- Then, massage the face and neck gently for about two minutes. Rinse.
Herbal Spa Facial Step 3: Steam
- Get 4 wash cloths wet with water that is hot, but not too hot to scald your face or burn your hands. Ring the cloths out so they are just damp
- Then, place one cloth around your right neck, one around your left neck, one on the right side of your face, and one on the left side of your face. Leave an opening for your nose to breathe.
- Relax and allow your face and neck to gently steam for about five minutes.
Herbal Spa Facial Step 4: Mask
- Mix one Tbsp of dried clay powder with 1 Tbsp of warm water in a small container.
- Then, apply to the face as a mask, and lay down comfortably. Allow to dry about 20 minutes. Rinse of with warm water and a wash cloth.
Herbal Spa Facial Step 5: Tone
- Combine 1 Tbsp of witch hazel with ONLY 1 drop of lavender essential oil.
- Then, apply to skin and neck with cotton balls.
Herbal Spa Facial Step 6: Moisturize
- Apply about 1/2 Tbsp of jojoba oil to the face and neck.
- Any extra jojoba oil can be applied to the arms, legs, and rest of the body if desired.
Finally – Take a look at the mirror at your awesome, beautifully glowing face!
Research
- Colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) has been used for centuries as a topical treatment for various skin conditions. It was used in a blind study on 29 female subjects with mild to moderate itching on their dry lower legs. The oatmeal significantly improved skin dryness, texture, and itch intensity. From: Michelle Garay, M. S., Judith Nebus, M. B. A., & Menas Kizoulis, B. A. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 14(1), 43-48.
- Active colloidal oatmeal moisturizer showed effectiveness in this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study. From: Kalaaji, A. N., & Wallo, W. (2014). A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of an active moisturizing lotion with colloidal oatmeal skin protectant versus its vehicle for the relief of xerosis. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 13(10), 1265-1268.
- In a double blind study of 100 infants, bentonite was more effective than calendula in treating diaper rash. From: Mahmoudi, M., Adib-Hajbaghery, M., & Mashaiekhi, M. (2015). Comparing the effects of Bentonite & Calendula on the improvement of infantile diaper dermatitis: A randomized controlled trial. The Indian journal of medical research, 142(6), 742.
- Bathing in magensium dead sea salt improved skin texture and inflammation in those with dry skin, compared to tap water. From: Proksch, E., Nissen, H. P., Bremgartner, M., & Urquhart, C. (2005). Bathing in a magnesium‐rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. International journal of dermatology, 44(2), 151-157.
- Pazyar, N., Yaghoobi, R., Ghassemi, M. R., Kazerouni, A., Rafeie, E., & Jamshydian, N. (2013). Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review. G Ital Dermatol Venereol, 148(6), 687-691.
- Patients had reduced inflammation level, ulcer size, healing time, and pain from recurrent aphthous ulcerations with lavender oil. From: Altaei, D. T. (2012). Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration. American journal of dentistry, 25(1), 39-43.
- This study suggested using lavender essential oil instead of Povidone-iodine topically for episiotomy wound care. From: Vakilian, K., Atarha, M., Bekhradi, R., & Chaman, R. (2011). Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 17(1), 50-53.
- Anti-inflammatory activity of witch hazel applied topically to the skin was demonstrated. From: Korting, H. C., Schäfer-Korting, M., Hart, H., Laux, P., & Schmid, M. (1993). Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin. European journal of clinical pharmacology, 44(4), 315-318.
- Witch hazel applied topically to the skin after sun exposure was anti-inflammatory. From: Hughes-Formella, B. J., Filbry, A., Gassmueller, J., & Rippke, F. (2002). Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 15(2), 125-132.
- A witch hazel ointment was an effective and safe treatment for certain skin disorders in young children. From: Wolff, H. H., & Kieser, M. (2007). Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. European journal of pediatrics, 166(9), 943-948.
Want to turn this into a total at home spa day? Try one of these easy at home body scrub recipes: 5 Easy Body Scrubs.
By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), LMT, NAHA and AIA Professional Member
PS – Not for dogs.
4/11/18
