Using elements from the garden as part of my natural beauty routine is one of my favorite reasons to garden. I have shared many recipes in the Natural Skincare Series on everything from bath bombs to soap-making and I use all of these products each and every day at home. I’m always thrilled to find another garden-lover who can turn fresh herbs and petals into healing salves and soaks, so I was delighted to receive a copy of Sue Goetz’s book, The Herb Lover’s Spa Book: Create a Luxury Spa Experience at Home with Fragrant Herbs from Your Garden. I flipped open the pages to see a number of recipes I had yet to try, like her four steps for an herb garden facial. Sue joins us today to share her series of facial recipes from the book. Aren’t we lucky?

Here is your personal prescription for beautiful skin. A facial forces you to slow down, no multitasking, just time to sit back and relax.

Simple ingredients from the garden and kitchen cabinet are all you need to create the luxury of this ultra-nourishing spa treatment. Exfoliate, mask, tone, moisturize, this 4-part treatment will give skin well-deserved extra attention. The recipes and herbs are for normal skin. Make the toner and cream ahead of time, then gather all the ingredients, utensils for mixing, soft towels and wash cloths. Find your quiet space, with seating, music, and aromatherapy candles.

Step One: Exfoliate

This removes dead skin cells and toxins from the surface of the skin. Be very gentle and take it slow. Use calming circular motions, avoiding the eyes.

Sugar Scrub Recipe
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil

Mix well into a paste and use immediately. Rinse face well after use and pat gently with a towel to dry.

Step Two: Mask

This healing herbal mix makes a nourishing, gooey paste that infuses all the healing powers of herbs on your skin.

Herbal Mask
1/4 cup whole oats
1/4 cup dried calendula petals
1 tablespoon dried roman chamomile
1 tablespoon dried rosemary leaves
Plain yogurt or avocado

Mix dry ingredients well and grind into a powder. This mix can be stored for later use as the herbal base to a fresh mask.

To use: add 1 tablespoon of herb and oat mix to 1 tablespoon warmed plain yogurt or smashed avocado. Stir to mix well, adjust the amount of ingredients to achieve a nice spreadable consistency. Apply to face and relax for about 20 minutes. The mask will begin to tighten and dry as it draws out toxins. Rinse well and pat dry.

Step Three: Tone

After the herbal mask, splash on this toner to finish the cleanse and tighten pores. Use 100% cotton balls soaked in the toner to generously wipe face and neck.

Chamomile Finishing Toner Recipe
2 cups distilled water
1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar or witch hazel extract (if the smell of vinegar is bothersome)
1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers

Warm the water (do not boil) and add the chamomile flowers. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Add vinegar, mix well. Filter out the remnant herbs and discard. Store toner in a sterilized glass jar. The toner will store up to six months.

Step Four: Moisturize

Finish your facial with this light, simple cream that won’t clog pores. Your skin will glow and feel pampered and nourished.

Rosewater Cream Recipe
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
3/4 tablespoon grated beeswax
1 tablespoon rosewater (purchased or homemade)

Combine beeswax and oil. Heat just until beeswax melts. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Stir in the rosewater and make sure ingredients are mixed well. Store in a glass bottle.

 

For more spa recipes for the herb lover, go grab a copy of Sue’s book here: