You may be surprised how many things in your kitchen can actually become a part of a natural skin care regime. One of the exciting classes offered at SWINA is called Kitchen Aesthetic. Below are samples of the recipes you may choose to try.
| Aphrodite Apple Mask |
| This recipe is courtesy of Noreen Finneran "Incredible Edible Spa" |
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To Use: Apply to washed, scrubbed, and steamed face. Allow mask to set for 10-15 minutes. Tone then moisturize. |
| Avocado Carrot Cream Mask |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com |
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This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.
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| Cucumber-Honey Toner |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.honey.com National Honey Board |
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Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey. To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about ½ cup. |
| Ginger Skin Creme |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com |
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Ginger invigorates, and oil soothes. Try this double dose for dry skin.
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| Kiwi Facial Cleanser (for dry or oily skin) |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com |
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| Marigold Face Mask |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics” |
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To Make: Bring water to a boil and pour over the Marigold and Chamomile flowers. Cover and set aside. Mash the carrots, add wheat germ oil. Strain out the liquid from the flowers and add them to the carrot-wheat germ oil. Mix thoroughly and add the lecithin granules. If you have a blender, blend it finely. The texture can be changed with the addition of Almond oil; add a bit to make a smooth cream for dry skin; if you have oily skin add enough Almond oil to blend these disparate ingredients. To Use: Wash face. Steam clean it for a few minutes with one of the steam mixtures. Apply a thick layer of the Marigold Face Mask to the face in smooth upward motions. Rest on a slantboard or rock in a rocking chair, but in any case leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Wipe it off with tissues, rinse with warm water and then close your pores with a refreshing cold water rinse. Why: Marigold and Chamomile flower infusion is healing to the tissues; carrots add texture and Vitamin A that may or may not be absorbed through the skin; lecithin is an emulsifying agent in the recipe that is also necessary for healthy tissues; wheat germ oil adds Vitamin E; and the Almond oil is for a creamy consistency. Tip: This mask does not harden but stays relatively moist. It will leave your skin smoother and refreshed, stimulating both facial circulation and muscles. |
| Night-Time Rose Creamy Lotion |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics” |
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To use: This lotion makes an excellent Rose Cold Cream to remove old grimy dirt or makeup. Simply apply with clean fingertips and remove with fine tissue. Then you might take a teaspoonful of cornmeal in each palm and rub the hands and face well with it. Rinse with warm water and then cold. Pat the remaining fine film of cream into the skin for night-time smoothing. Why: Almond oil and Rosewater as we know is an excellent moisturizing lubricant for normal to dry to sensitive skin; cornmeal is a gentle tonic stimulating to the tissues and acts as a "beauty grain". Tip: Whenever making fine cosmetics always use a porcelain or glass pot. Some beauty experts recommend stainless steel cooking pots but these often leach poisonous heavy metals into the enclosed liquids. Nonmetal is best for herbs. |
| Peach Lotion (for dry or normal skin) |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things” |
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| Rose Cream for Day Use |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things” |
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To Make: Heat the beeswax and the lanolin gently in a water bath. Do not let the wax simmer or burn. Remove from heat and add the Almond oil slowly. Add the zinc oxide-Almond oil cream beating the mixture continuously. Add the borax-Rosewater and beat until cool. Add enough oil of Rose to scent the mixture to your liking. Beat until cold with a small wooden spoon. Pour into three 4 oz. cram jars and let sit until solidified. To Use: This makes an excellent everyday cream that can be used under makeup or as a moisturizer. Simply rub gently onto face, hands or throat. As a throat moisturizer the cream is excellent, especially when rubbed in with a large marble or small avocado pit. rub in gentle circular motions while looking up into the sky, thereby stretching and stimulating your neck muscles. Why: Almond oil replaces necessary body oils; Rosewater is a gentle astringent and moisturizer replacing liquid to the cells and tightening the skin; lanolin is a potent emollient and very much like human oils; borax is a skin softener and will help to produce a very white cream while its disadvantage is that it often adds a grainy texture; zinc oxide is useful for healing reddened, sore or irritated skin. |
| Rose Eye Wash for Sore, Tired or Irritated Eyes |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things” |
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To Make: In a small covered enamel pot, bring the Rosebuds and water to a slow boil, lower the heat, remove the cover and simmer for a minute or two until some of the water boils off. Strain out the liquid into a clean container and refrigerate. When cool, add the Rosewater to 4 oz. of the herbal liquid. You must use this liquid within 3 days. To Use: Rinse your eyes whenever necessary using this fluid with either an eyecup or the hollow of your palm. Tip No. 1: You can also add 1 oz. Rosewater directly to 4 oz. of distilled or boiled water, without using the Rosebuds called for above and bottle the liquid. This will not spoil and may be used at your leisure. Tip No. 2: Rosewater may be purchased at any old-fashioned pharmacy, herb or nutrition store and in most fine liquor stores (Rosewater is often used in fine mixed drinks). You might also find it available in Turkish or Middle Eastern specialty shops. |
| Rose Oil and Honey Facial Mask |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.honey.com National Honey Board |
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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.
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. |
| SharAmbrosia Banana Facial Masque |
| This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia |
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The best way to use this masque is while sitting in the tub because it is a bit messy. Apply to the entire face, neck and shoulder area. As it sits, keep applying more while you build the masque up as well as massage it in. Let sit for at least 10-15 minutes and then remove with a warm washcloth. Finish with a tonic or hydrosol on a cotton ball to remove any excess product from the skin, then moisturize as usual. This is a wonderful softening and firming treatment in one. |
| SharAmbrosia Chamomile Lip Balm |
| This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia |
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This is a very soothing formula that has real "staying" power. |
| SharAmbrosia Honey Almond Scrub |
| This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia |
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This is a Honey Almond scrub with a Peppermint twist! This product will exfoliate your skin to help make it smoother and softer.
To use: Cleanse skin first. Apply about a teaspoon amount of the scrub to a moistened face. Mix with water to make it a more fluid application (do not add water to the jar). Scrub the skin gently, letting the almond meal do the work (harder pressure will only damage capillaries!). Massage every square inch of skin except the delicate eye tissue. Remove with a warm washcloth. Be careful to remove every bit of the scrub. Apply a tonic or hydrosol with a cotton ball to remove any excess product. Finish by applying your moisturizer. Use about once a week to help keep the skin soft and smooth and relieve surface tension. |
| SharAmbrosia Kelp Firming Masque |
| This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia |
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This mask treatment will help to soften and firm your skin at the same time.
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| Spa Index Papaya Pumpkin Facial |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com |
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If you have visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you've probably seen a facialist select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask. It's easy to recreate this mask at home -- we've found a Balinese mask for you which will leave your face fresh and glowing.
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| Strawberry Cream (for oily or normal skin) |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things” |
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| Thyme and Fennel Seed Cleanser (for normal skin) |
| This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com |
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Fennel has been used throughout history as an aid to digestion or as a slight diuretic. As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, which is used in antiseptic preparations, is a good astringent. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.
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| Yogurt-Honey Mask |
| This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics” |
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To Use: Pat this mask onto the skin for a moisturizing, penetrating, hydrating, soothing application that will also help to clear up skin problems |