At Home Spa Treatments :) (more to come soon!)

Chocolate Face Mask (Yummy!)

Chocolate for your face? Yup, it's actually a very common method for exfoliating the face and getting rid of free radicals. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and tightens the skin. Chocolate contains something called tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor of serotonin, and serotonin is what makes the happy brain chemicals, boosting your mood up, making you feel happy. Now that doesn't mean melt down some Hershey Kisses or that chcolate bunny from last Easter and applying it to your face. Big NO-NO. You want to use coco powder or raw dark chocolate (not milk) Just as long as it does NOT contain sugar or milk products. There are pre-made chocolate masks at specialty & drug stores, but you can always make it at home for cheaper! You even might have all the ingredients sitting in your cabinet!!

Here is a recipe that I use:

(This is for about 1 serving)

• 2 Tbsp Cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 2 Tbsp GROUND Oatmeal (if you only have whole oats, grind them in a blender or food processor until you reach a powdery consistency.)

Mix the ingredients together until well blended. It will become a paste-like substance. With clean hands or a small rubber spatula (like one you would smooth out icing with) apply the mixture on your face. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then wash away with luke-warm water (not too hot or cold.) Pat your face dry with a towel and apply your favorite moisturizer. Your skin should feel tighter and have a glow to it. Your mood might be boosted up a bit as well. Hope you enjoy it!

Yogurt Face Mask

Yogurt is very essential for the face. There are live bacteria in the yogurt called probiotics that help get rid of the bad bacteria on your face that causes acne. (believe it or not!) It will make the skin feel cooler, so this is great during the summer! It will also tighten up the face and get rid of redness or any irritation on your skin. It might not smell the greatest but it works wonders and I use it all the time!! My pimples tend to go away and prevents my face from new ones popping up. Try using this mask twice a week.

All you need is a tub of plain yogurt and you are ready to go. Do NOT use flavored yogurts (the sugar and additives are not good for the skin) So use PLAIN yogurt. Organic is the best way to go if you can get your hands on it. If not, don't worry, you can use regular plain yogurt or even Greek yogurt. 

NOTE: I do NOT recommend if you are allergic to dairy or anything in yogurt.

Use about 2 or 3 tablespoons of PLAIN yogurt or until your face is moderately covered. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes. You will start to feel a cooling sensation while waiting, sometimes even a tingling feeling, so don't freak out. Then rinse with luke-warm water and pat dry with a towel. Apply your favorite moisturizer. Your face should feel refreshed and any previous redness on your face should decrease.

I do NOT recommend if you are allergic to dairy or anything in the yogurt.

Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal is known to be a gentle exfoliate and help reduce acne. It also soaks up excess oil on the face, so if you have oily-prone skin, this mask will work for you. Oatmeal masks are very beneficial by themselves but can include other additives to increase the strength of what you want done, such as glowing skin, or tighter skin.

Recipe for Oatmeal Mask:

 *For oily skin*

3/4 cup ground oatmeal (grind in blender or food processor if not already ground)

1 Tbsp. honey

*For dry skin*

Use the same ingredients above, and add a cup of mashed banana to the mix.

Mix ingredients together to for a paste-like consistency. (Dry skin remedy will be a little mushier from the banana) With clean hands or rubber spatula apply on the face until covered. Let sit for about 15-20 minutes and rinse with cool water. Apply moisturizer (especially for the dry skin)

Egg Yolk Mask

For dry & irritated skin

Egg yolk is known for skin-tightening properties as well as moisturizing the face. It mainly consists of water and fats so it will retain the skin's moisture. It also helps diminish blemishes as well. It's totally safe for the face & people have been using egg yolk face masks for years!

Here is a recipe that I came up with and I am in love with it!

• 2 Tbsp. ground oats
• 1/2 Tbsp. milk
• 1 raw egg yolk only

Mix all the ingredients together until it becomes a yellow paste. Apply to the skin and let sit for about 15 minutes. The mixture will start to dry & your skin will start to tighten up. You won't be able to move much of your face, so be prepared lol. Then rinse with warm water and wipe off the excess with a wet washcloth. You skin should feel softer, firmer, and less irritated looking. Then apply moisturizer right after you dry your face. (If you are wondering what the milk does, it helps diminish redness & the oats exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dirt and impurities, making the skin glow.) I hope you decide to try this out!