Grapefruit & Parsley Face Mask

• 3 tablespoons very fine oatmeal (whirl oatmeal in a food processor, if necessary)

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 1/2 large grapefruit

• olive or sunflower oil

Mix 3 tablespoons of very fine oatmeal with two tablespoons of chopped parsley in a bowl. Add juice from half of a large grapefruit until you have a soft paste.  Let the mixture rest 5 minutes. Spread soft mixture over your face and let dry for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

(courtesy of spaindex)

Honey is also known for its healing qualities and has scientific evidence to back it up.

Ingredients for Frozen Egg and Honey Facial Mask

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (but not hot)
• 1 tbs. honey

Method:

Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well-mixed. Slowly add the liquid coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise.

Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set it on end in a clean bowl. Spoon mixture into the cardboard toilet paper roll (or consider using an empty deodorant container). Place tube, in the bowl, in the freezer overnight.

To use, peel away just the top 1/4 inch of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face (think of it as a push up pop). Leave your mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Return the cream stick covered with plastic wrap and frozen between uses.

Particularly soothing on sunburn and will keep indefinitely.

This article is courtesy of spaindex.com

Galen’s cold cream contained olive oil (for softening), water, beeswax (the base of the cream), and rose petals (for aromatherapy). It was called called “cold cream” because after it was applied to the skin, its water content evaporated, which left a cool feeling on the skin. Commercially manufactured cold creams have long since replaced the olive oil with mineral or other oils, which will not spoil as rapidly.

Some recipes for cold cream will contain borax; others will not. Borax is a natural ingredient, and acts as both an antiseptic and a preservative. A reaction occurs when added to recipes containing beeswax – it turns the concoction a creamy white color.

Basic Cold Cream

• 1 ounce grated beeswax or beeswax pellets
• 6 tablespoons light mineral oil
• 4 tablespoons distilled water
• 1 teaspoon borax
• 2-3 drops of your preferred essential oil

Instructions

In a double boiler or clean class dish in a microwave, combine beeswax and mineral oil.

Gently heat and stir until melted and well blended. While melting, dissolve your borax in the distilled water and heat it gently — do not boil.

Remove both pans or dishes from the heat source, and, stirring constantly, slowly drizzle the distilled water and borax solution into your wax and oil solution. When fully combined, begin to beat vigorously until it has cooled.

Add your essential oil and continue to beat until your cream is light and airy, with a brilliant white sheen. Store in clean glass jars, preferably in the refrigerator.

The borax is a simple preservative, but your cream will keep best in the refrigerator, for approximately 3-6 weeks.

Honey Cold Cream

• 40g (approximately 1.5 ounces) fresh, good quality cold pressed safflower oil
• 40g (approximately 1.5 ounces) ) distilled water
• 10g (approximately 1/3 ounce) beeswax pellets or grated beeswax**
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon borax, if a white cream is desired, otherwise, optional

**Be aware that some people are allergic to beeswax. Exercise caution.

• 1 heat resistant microwave safe bowl with lid
• 1 hand whisk or wooden spoon
• 1 teaspoon or dropper
• Kitchen scales
• Heat resistant pot (small) to contain the cream
• Ice cube trays
• Freezer Storage Container

Instructions

Combine safflower oil and beeswax pellets or shavings into a clean, dry bowl. Microwave on low, gently, until the beeswax has melted.

Slowly drizzle the teaspoon of honey into the oil mixture, beating thoroughly. A dedicated blender or food processor works fine (dedicated meaning you keep a spare one for craft projects, and you do not use it for food preparation).

Using a teaspoon or dropper, slowly drop minute amounts of distilled water into the oil/wax/honey, whisking quickly the entire time.

Once you have incorporated all of the distilled water into the mixture, allow your cream to “settle” for at least five minutes. Water which has not incorporated will settle to the bottom, and the cream layer will rise to the top. Drain off and discard this lower layer of water.

Gently spoon one teaspoon of ‘cold cream’ into each well of a clean, dry ice cube tray. Freeze until solid. (Optional: Spread a large, loose piece of plastic wrap over the try for easy removal of the cubes at one

I have used cold cream for many years and its one of my favorite cleansers, moisturizers and general soothing cream. These easy recipes are from Spaindex.com

Sensitive Skin Cucumber Mask

This natural cucumber face mask is perfect for sensitive skin. Chill it in your fridge before use to make it especially soothing.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast
• 1 tablespoon finely ground oatmeal
• 1 whole cucumber
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream
• 1 teaspoon honey

Mix together the yeast and oats in a small bowl and set aside.

Peel the cucumber and place it in a small food processor and process until only liquid remains. Add the yogurt and honey and process further to mix.

Add the brewer’s yeast and oats to the cucumber/honey mixture and process to mix fully.

To use, apply to clean face and neck skin and leave on for anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour. Rinse well and follow with toner and moisturizer.

Quick Cucumber Parsley Facial

The next time you make a salad, set aside just 3 tablespoons of basic ingredients, and you’ve got yourself a quick facial, to be enjoyed while soaking in the tub before bed. You cannot get any easier, or quicker, than this.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. Plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. Cucumber
• 1 Tbsp. Parsley

Puree (or use your handy rotating chopper — you know you bought one) the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth. Cover your face with this creamy mask. This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Do not store this mixture. Especially over a long weekend.

Savoury Cranberrry Facial Wash

• 1 tablespoon dried savory leaves, crushed
• 1/2  cup boiling water
  
• 1/2 cup cranberries
  

Courtesy of  Spa Index