How to Use a Facemask and Herbal Treatments

Natural or herbal facial treatments are not new news - they have been around for millenia, but how we use them today is a brand new world. With a plethora to herbs and natural treatments to choose from, we can be overwhelmed.  But fear not.  Going natural is actually quite simple. Herbal treatments for the face can be used for beauty or health reasons. Use herbs to promote and maintain healthy, younger-looking skin. If facial skin conditions occur, turn to herbs to treat conditions including dry skin and acne. Herbs generally are safe, but consult a physician for advice about persistent facial issues. Keep reading for info and tips on facial masks and how to apply them.

For thousands of years, women around the world have used herbs as part of their beauty regimens. Effective herbal beauty treatments purify internal and external toxins, which accumulate from environmental, dietary and other sources of pollution. According to Apothecary Tinctura’s Herbal Classes - turmeric, chamomile and seaweed provide deep nourishment and surface beauty. Use turmeric to promote radiant skin. Turmeric facials prevent bacterial infection. Turmeric pastes encourage radiance and balance pH levels. Chamomile can be an effective eye treatment. Apply a mild blend of chamomile and distilled water around the eyes to diminish a tired appearance. Seaweed detoxifies skin for a fresh feel and look.

Using A Facial Mask

A good facial mask serves a variety of different functions: mud masks absorb oil, hydrating masks moisturize dry skin and perfecting masks replenish dull skin.

Instructions
Things You’ll Need:

* Washcloths
* Clay-based Face Masks
* Facial Mud Mask
* Moisturizing Facial Masks
Step 1
Use your fingers to spread a thin coating of the mask evenly over your skin. Avoid eye area and lips.

Step 2
Leave mask on as long as directed. Try not to laugh or smile while it’s drying.

Step 3
Remove a mud mask with a hot, wet washcloth. Pat face dry with a towel.

Step 4
Wipe off a moisturizing or replenishing mask with a tissue.

Step 5
Peel off a gel mask, starting at the forehead and moving down.

Dry Skin
Dry skin can feel tight, itchy and look flaky. Holistic Online lists herbs for dry skin including, but not limited to, aloe vera, calendula, comfrey and tea tree oil. Aloe vera moisturizes and heals dry skin. Aloe vera has exfoliating action. Apply aloe vera topically. Soften and soothe dry skin with calendula or comfrey. Holistic Online suggests adding either herb to a facial sauna or to herbal water. Drink calendula tea to ease dry skin from the inside out. Add 1 tsp. of dried calendula to boiling distilled water. Infuse for five minutes and enjoy daily. According to Holistic Online, tea tree oil can heal skin at the cellular level. A drop of tea tree oil to night cream adds moisturizing benefits.

Acne
Herbal treatments can be effective for fighting acne. Holistic Online recommends black currant seed oil in capsule form to clear acne. Stinging nettles and cleavers tea may be an effective acne treatment. Acne may result from stress. Aid the healing process by relaxing jangled nerves with lavender or chamomile tea.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have combination skin, you may want to apply a mud mask only over the T-zone, which is the center of forehead, nose, chin and center of cheeks.
• If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to test the mask on another skin patch, such as the inside of the elbow. Wait 24 hours to make sure there is no adverse reaction before using the mask on your face.
• Avoid contact with eyes, as many masks contain acne medication or other irritating ingredients.

Deep Cleanse With Clay Facial Mask at Home

Facials are relaxing and rejuvenating and help you feel great while deep cleaning your skin. One way to do this is to make a deep cleansing facial mask.

There are many varieties on the market today, but you can save your money and make many of these products at home for a fraction of the cost. In most cases, the ingredients you use at home can be organic and are probably more pure than any product you could buy at the store.

Good hygiene is the first step to beautiful skin, but it’s not enough to just wash daily. Deep clean once or twice a week to remove any remaining impurities and tighten pores. A facial mask treatment made from clay can be relaxing and give your skin a healthy glow.

You can find green clay in most organic or herbal markets. If you do not live near an herbal market, green clay can also be purchased online.

Always be sure to test your mask on a small patch of skin before application to avoid any allergic reactions. First, take 1-2 teaspoons of your green clay and add a few drops of rosemary essential oil - which acts as an excellent antimicrobial for acne or trouble spots. Next, add a teaspoon or more of water until you make a paste. You can also add Witch Hazel instead for a tonic effect.

Instructions

Step 1

Wash the face before you apply the clay facial mask. This helps to remove as much surface debris as possible and it allows the clay to penetrate
deep into the skin.

Step 2

Steam the face for 5 to 10 minutes after you wash it to open the pores of the skin. A steamy shower is an easy way to steam the face, but a pot of
boiling water with a few drops of rosemary essential oil also provides beneficial steam. Remove the pot from the stove, place a towel over the head and
trap the steam from the pot in a tent.

TIP: When you steam your face, remember to pull away to catch a breath and allow your face to cool down slightly if it gets too hot.

Step 3

Pat the face dry with a towel.

Step 4

Squeeze the clay mask onto your fingertips and gently rub it on the face. Use upward, sweeping motions. Add more mask where spots are thin and
cover the entire face so no skin is visible.

Step 5

Allow the clay facial mask to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions. The dry time will vary with the type of products included in the mask,
but most facial masks dry within 5 to 10 minutes of application. This is the most relaxing part of a facial, so take the time to rest the mind and body.

Step 6

Rinse the mask off with warm water. Wipe the clay off with upward, sweeping motions. Remove any clay facial mask that remains with a washcloth
and gently rub in circular motions. Do a final rinse with cold water to close the pores.

Step 7

Finish the facial with a toner and moisturizer specific to your skin type.

Ayurvedic and Holistic Skin Care

Ayurvedic skin care is derived from medicinal practices that began over 5,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine and healing practices are based on Indian philosophical, psychological, conventional, and medicinal understandings. Ayurvedic approach to skin care is holistic and considers the mind, body, and spirit together. Ayurveda practices the belief that there are three basic principles (or humors) born out of five basic elements that exist in nature. These principles are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These principles are believed to work together in harmony to make up the entire body. Read more

Moisturizers - Are they really needed?

The truth is that moisturizers are a growing component of daily skin care and account for one of the most common over the counter products sold in the world.

This growth is partly due to the fact that what started as a simple moisturizer has become a sophisticated vehicle for delivery of complex nourishment and regulatory molecules to the skin.

The moisturizers are mostly used for one of the following reasons:

1. To repair the skin’s ability to provide effective barrier against outside pollutants, toxins, bacteria, viruses, fungi and to prevent the essential components of our skin and tissues from escaping our bodies.
2. To increase the water content of the skin in both dermis and epidermis.
3. To reduce skin vulnerability against trans-epidermal (through the skin) water loss.
4. To rebalance the skin’s composition of lipids (fats) both inside and outside the skin cells.
5. To deliver nutrients and regulatory substances to the viable portion of the dermis and epidermis.

The anatomy of most moisturizers encompasses at least one of the following components: emollients, occlusive agents, humectants as swell as additives designed to add extra benefits to the traditional functions of the moisturizers.

Emollients improve the visual aspect of the skin by sealing the tiny splits between the components of stratum Occlusive agents block trans-epidermal water loss. Because of the powerful occlusive properties, these agents have to be used carefully on the face as acne related to the use of cosmetics can result. Humectants are designed to attract water either from the environment or from the underlying dermis to the epidermis.

The era of newer, much more sophisticated moisturizers is upon us where scientifically formulated delivery systems can offer additive benefits of supplementing and modulating skin cells for their optimal function and differentiation. As such, these new moisturizers offer a cutting edge frontier where therapeutic benefits are combined with the moisturizing qualities of topical products. Vitamins, minerals, growth factors, peptides, enzymes and co-enzymes are some of the few categories of molecules currently in use in the latest fight to prevent skin deterioration and optimize its functioning.

About the author:
Mariusz J. A. Sapijaszko, MD FRCPC is the Director of the Western Canada Dermatology Institute located in Edmonton, Alberta. He is also the Clinical Assistant Professor at the Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, in Edmonton. His areas of expertise include cosmetic and laser surgery.

Home Toner Recipes

Blueberry Toner
Make this mask the day you plan to use it, and do not store.

3 tablespoons steamed, crushed blueberries
1/2 C. sour cream or plain yogurt
Purée ingredients in a blender at low speed until well mixed and fluffy. Apply to face and neck.  Let penetrate for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water.  If you find the mask is too runny after blending, you should refrigerate for one hour or until of the consistency you desire.

ALMOND FACIAL MILK
The herbal waters are antiseptic and toning. Grapefruit seed extract is available in health food stores, and is included in the recipe as a preservative.
•    1/2 cup rose, lavender, or distilled water
•    1 teaspoon pure vegetable glycerin
•    1/4 to 1 teaspoon cold pressed organic almond oil
•    12 drops grapefruit seed extract
Make the rose or lavender water by placing a small handful of dried organic rose petals or lavender in a pint mason jar and adding boiling water to cover. Let steep overnight, then thoroughly strain. Combine the remaining ingredients in a glass jar and shake to blend. Dab some on your fingers or a cotton ball and massage into your skin. Rinse with warm water. Keep stored in the refrigerator for no more than a month or so. Discard at the first sign of mold.

Apple Face & Neck Gelee

Yield: Approx. 2 applications
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons hot distilled water
1 teaspoon freshly juiced apple juice
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
1 heaping teaspoon powdered pectin

Add the glycerin to the water/juice/gel combination and stir to fully incorporate.  Add the pectin while the liquid remains quite warm (if it cools, place it in the microwave or a double boiler to raise the temperature) and use a hand held electric mixer to blend, or stir vigorously to dissolve the pectin. Once the pectin has fully dissolved, a light gel will begin to form. This may take from 15 minutes to 1/2 hour. Once the gel sets, Apple Face & Neck Gelee is ready to use. Apply the gel in a layer to your clean, damp face and neck. Rest for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with a light moisturizer if desired. Leftover product can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. Enjoy!! The shelf life of this product is necessarily limited by the fresh apple juice. It should be used within a few days after it is made.

APPLE SKIN TONER

Intended for slightly oily skins, we’re told by our skincare team that Apple Toner is an excellent substitute for rubbing alcohol (a real no-no, as it actually stimulates the oil glands to produce more oil).
Combine 2/3 cup witch hazel,
1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar,
and several drops of Lavender Essential Oil (or essential oil of your choice).

Mix, and add to clean bottle. Shake bottle well before using, and then dampen a cotton ball or pad saturated with your toner, and swab over face. Witch hazel is a gentle astringent, apple cider vinegar will help restore your skin’s natural ph balance, and lavender soothes sensitive skin.

BASIL ACNE TONIC

Basil is known for its “soothing and toning” properties.
2 to 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 C. boiling water
Steep basil leaves in water for 10 to 20 minutes. Cool, then apply to face with a white cotton ball.   Keep tonic refrigerated.  Recommended shelf life: 90 days.

Facial Toners

Alcohol-free Facial Toner

Facial toner should not be confused with astringent, which can strip the skin of its vital acid balance due to higher concentrations of alcohol. Alcohol-free toner helps to instantly restore the natural PH level of your skin. Toning is a step usually taken after cleansing and before moisturizing. It works best to help balance the skin, remove residual cleanser, clear the pores and soothe the skin.

“Alcohol-free facial toner is a vital transition between cleansing and treatment. The Vivoderm toner, for example, is enriched with minerals and natural herbal astringents to purify hydrate and normalize the skin. The grape seed and green tea extracts soothe and tone the skin preparing it to readily receive the maximum benefits of skin care to follow,” reports Dr. Noushin Adhami, Vice President of Vivoderm Laboratories.

Natural facial toner that combines herbal ingredients, like grape seed or green tea extract work more holistically than alcohol-based astringents. Grape seed contains “oligomeric proanthocyanidin” or OPCs showing medicinal and pharmacological properties against oxidative-caused cellular stress. Radical-scavenging effects have also been reported. The bioflavonoids in grape seed are water-soluble and have antioxidant and ‘adaptogenic’ or stress-resistant properties, which help defend against a number of negative environmental factors, including smoke, radiation and chemicals. Green tea extract has been reported act as a protective agent of skin from ultraviolet light.

What all this means is, in order to achieve optimal health, your skin needs sufficient blood supply, hydration, moisture, oxygen and thickness. The natural facial toner is also a complementary part of the anti-aging prevention tools. Facial toner should promote skin health and vitality by toning the skin and retaining the skin’s natural moisture.

Understanding Skin Type

There are four dominant factors that determine your Skin Type. These factors are: oily vs. dry, sensitive vs. resistant, pigmented vs. non-pigmented, and wrinkled vs. tight. The key factors interact to determine the skin’s appearance, problems, needs, and vulnerabilities, and therefore dictate the kinds of products, ingredients, and treatments useful to address them. To get started, let me introduce you to some basics about the skin. Read more

Toners you can make at home

APPLE SKIN TONER
Intended for slightly oily skins, we’re told by our skincare team that Apple Toner is an excellent substitute for rubbing alcohol (a real no-no, as it actually stimulates the oil glands to produce more oil).
Combine 2/3 cup witch hazel,
1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar,
and several drops of Lavender Essential Oil (or essential oil of your choice). Read more

Closer Look At Facial Masks

Facial masks are more than just silly tricks that women try to get their “beauty rest.” They are an important part of skin care. It is recommended that you use a facial mask at least once a week. While it is not necessary to go overboard and wear one every night, a weekly facial mask session cannot only help your skin receive moisture, but it can also ease skin disorders. Facial masks can be soothing or energizing, and the actions and rituals often involved with applying a facial mask can be an effective stress reliever. Read more

Herbal Skin Detoxifier (steam treatment)

Gather the following ingredients:

Juniper berries (Juniperus communus)

Used for: Detoxifying.

Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita)

Used for: Soothing and calming.

Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis)

Used for: Softening the skin.

Lavender Flowers (Lavendula angustifolium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Used for: Their antiseptic properties, also Lavender is an anti-depressant, stress reliever and helps relieve insomnia (also adds a beautiful scent).

Before putting head covered with towel over bowl, add the following essential oils:

1 drop of Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli)

Used for: dry and mature skin, regenerator, moisturizer, fungicide.

2 drops of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Used for: Its high germicidal value.

3 drops of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Used for: cellular regeneration, also balances sebum.

(substitute Lavender if pregnant)

Add all ingredients to warm water in a non-metallic pan and heat slowly (harder substances like roots, berries and bark for a longer period of time, leaves for less time, and flowers for the shortest amount of time).

Pour mixture into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel surrounding the bowl and lean over the bowl to breathe in the mixture’s properties for about 10-15 minutes.

{CAUTION: Herbs to be avoided during pregnancy: Basil, Clary Sage, Fennel, Geranium, Hyssop, Juniper, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Sage and Thyme}

Recipe courtesy of SharAmbrosia