Do It Yourself Facials

By: Van Le

There is nothing as relaxing as getting a professional facial, but they can run a high tab (from $50-200 dollars.) While the economy continues on its downward spiral, your skin does not have to suffer the same fate. A “DIY facial” may sound like an oxymoron, but it truly is a way to revive and rejuvenate your skin at a fraction of the cost. There are several at-home facial remedies that you can try, and all the ingredients can be gathered at your local grocery store. Even better, “at-home” does not always mean you have to do it alone. Turn it into a bonding experience by calling a few friends over, and you can chat and laugh your way to healthier skin. You can even ask each friend to bring an ingredient to further cut down on the cost. Ready to indulge? Here’s how to get started:

Create a relaxing atmosphere

You can’t relax if you are constantly staring at your “to-do” list. Clear the space of any clutter or things that remind of you the tasks you must do. Your mind needs to escape from your everyday tasks before you can truly enjoy the experience. First, create a calming atmosphere by using candles instead of turning on the lights. Next, fill the room with a soothing scent such as lavender or chamomile. Then, turn off the television and turn on soft music. Unplug your land line and once all your friends arrive, agree to turn off all cell phones. If you decide to have food, choose healthy and light options such as mini muffins, a tray of fresh fruits and vegetables, or cheese and crackers. Add cucumber or lemon slices to a pitcher of water for a healthy drink.

Facial treatments

Start by washing your face to get rid of dirt and residue makeup, using a gentle soap like Vivoderm’s Rosemary & Chamomile facial cleanser, which is filled with Vitamins A and E. Then, grab a hot towel and place it over your face, taking extra precaution as the skin on your face may more sensitive to temperature. You can also pour hot water in a bowl, place your face a few inches away from the top of the bowl, and cover your head with a towel to capture the steam. It takes about 10-15 for the steam to open your pores. Next, apply an exfoliator and massage in a circular motion using your middle and ring fingers. After exfoliation, apply a toner to bring your skin back to the proper pH. Then, moisturize your skin using a mask. Depending on your skin type and desire, there are a wide variety of masks available, such as Vivoderm’s anti-aging or anti-acne mask. You can also whip up your own Avocado Moisture Mask* using natural ingredients. Mix ½ avocado, ¼ cup French green clay, and 15 drops of spike lavender. As you stir, add water until you reach the desired texture. Apply the mask and leave on your face for 10 minutes, after the mask has dried, rinse off using warm water. Finally, complete your at-home facial by applying a moisturizing cream on your entire face.

After your DIY facial, your skin will feel lighter, but your wallet won’t.

*recipe from www.apothecarytinctura.com

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare, you can also link to http://bestorganicnaturalskincare.com

How Facial Masks Work

A mask for your face should be applied once or twice weekly. You don’t want to use them too frequently as they can upset the balance of your skin. The way that most facial masks work is that you put them on your face and wait for a specified period of time until you feel it dry and your skins starts feeling a little tight. Don’t worry, this is a normal part of the process and it is not harming your face. After this you usually will give it another few minutes and then rinse your skin. Some people choose to use water by itself and others like to remove the mask with a wash cloth, it’s entirely up to you. Afterwards you should dry your face totally and moisturize it because masks remove some moisture from your skin.

There are also full body masks available that can treat all of your skin at the same time. These work in exactly the same way as the ones for your face and they can help renew the look of your skin all over. It is not possible to do this properly at home so you will have to have one of these applied by a professional. Thankfully, there are many full service salons that offer this service and it is a real treat to have done. When you schedule yourself for one of these be sure to drink lots of water before and after to help remove toxins, help replace lost moisture, and re-hydrate you body. Water is crucial because just as with a facial mask these also remove moisture but on a much larger scale.

Educating yourself about different types of lotions and masks will help you keep your skin clear and give you the healthy glow you want. Water is a beauty secret that many women overlook. The key to beautiful clear skin is adequate hydration and water is crucial in this process as it not only helps your skin hydrate itself but also helps to remove toxins. Utilize what you have learned here and you will have beautiful and radiant skin that others will envy.

The Benefits of Anti Aging Facial Masks

Skin wrinkles are caused by two main factors: heredity and the environment. There is little you can do about heredity and the natural aging process, but there is something you can do about the other causes. Pollution in the environment, sun exposure and stress can all lead to premature aging of the skin. Using anti aging creams is beneficial for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The creams are even more effective when combined with regular facials.

Facials counteract the effects of pollutants and sun exposure on your skin. Having regular facials will also help your skin absorb your anti aging creams better. Monthly facials improve elasticity, give your skin a smoother texture and improve the hydration of your skin. In addition, a facial will help remove dead skin which aids in the absorption of other creams or lotions used to combat wrinkles.

The products used for your facial will depend on your skin type. If you have dry skin, a moisturizing mask will be used to help add moisture to the skin. A rich moisturizer will also be used at the end of the treatment. Oil free products will be used for people with oily skin.

Facials can be done at home or by a professional in a salon or spa. Facial massage is very beneficial for wrinkles. The massage increases the blood circulation to the muscles of the face, which helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are over one hundred muscles in the face and massage helps to relax these muscles. This is particularly effective for wrinkles that result from muscle contractions, such as laugh lines and worry lines.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of facial massage, visit a salon for your facial. Facial massage is best done by a professional who is knowledgeable in massage techniques. An inexperienced person may actually cause more harm than good. When the muscles are not massaged properly, they sag which can cause wrinkles to be more prominent. The massage is also very relaxing. At some salons and spas, the arms, neck and shoulders are massaged as well. This is great for stress relief.

The basic facial procedure starts by examining the skin. This will help the professional assess the skin and determine the products that will be of the greatest benefit. Steam is then used to open the pores and remove impurities from the skin. A gentle cleanser is then used to clean the skin. This step is followed by a toner that is appropriate for your skin type. A facial mask is used to soothe and refresh the skin as well as to add moisture. At the end of the massage, a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type will be applied.

Once you have had your facial, you will want to keep your skin in good condition at home. Use a gentle cleanser that is not drying in the morning and at night. Invest in good quality anti aging creams to minimize wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. It’s important to choose creams that are good for your skin type and the condition of your skin. Read reviews to help you choose the best products for your skin.