Homemade Spa Treatments: Recipes to Soothe the Skin and the Soul

Wouldn't it be great to escape to a hidden retreat, where you would be pampered and primped? Now you can relax at home with these luxurious beauty and bathing tips.

By using simple, natural ingredients, you can freshen your face, while pleasing your senses. The fruity aromas and floral perfumes will have your senses reeling. The following masks are both beneficial and luxurious, leaving skin feeling silky and smooth.

Peachy mask

This is a good all-around mask for normal skin. The acid in the peach helps in skin continuity and balance.

One medium-large peach
1 tablespoon of vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon of honey
1/4 cup of wheat germ

Place in a blender and mix until smooth and creamy.

Chill for 5 to 15 minutes then rub onto face. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes, rinsing with warm milk or warm water. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Strawberry mask

This is great for cleaning pores!

3/4 cup of strawberries
1 tablespoon vanilla or strawberry yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup of warm Grapenuts cereal in 2 tablespoons of milk (warm in microwave for one minute)

Blend all ingredients.

Immediately put this mixture onto face, spreading rather thickly. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with a mixture of lemon water (1 cup of cool water with just a drop of lemon extract). This will close your pores, keeping your face clean and blemish free. This mask can be stored for a few days, but remember to reheat the mixture before using.

Now that you have your face drenched in paradise, enjoying a creamy mask, you have 20 minutes to kill. How does a nice, hot bath sound? Slip into a steaming tub after sprinkling some of these aromatic bath salts and you'll think that you've slipped into heaven. Are you ready to give yourself a treat? Take a deep breath and feel all of the tension disappear. Here are a few recipes for a relaxing bath that will make all your worries fade.

Perfumed Bath Salts

1/4 cup Epsom salts
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
6 drops of any fragrant oil

Lavender Fizz Bath Salts

1/3 cup bicarbonate
2 teaspoons dried rose petals
8 drops lavender oil
8 drops geranium oil

Fizzy and Fun Bath Salts

1/2 cups bicarbonate
1/4 cups citric acid
8 to 10 drops essential oil
30 drops food coloring of choice

Instructions for all bath salts:

Mix the dry ingredients together, adding the oils and color one at a time. Mix well and keep the powder in an airtight jar. Add a spoon or two to your next bath. These powders can last for several months. (Bath water must be very warm for the fizzing action to occur.)

Now you have all the ingredients that you need for a calming and peaceful bath, so what are you waiting for? Start mixing so that you can relax and enjoy!