Image Credit: Valua Vitaly / Shutterstock.com5 Citrus Skin Salve
Image Credit: Andreadrugay.wordpress.comTo heal dry skin around your heels, knees, and elbows, cut a lemon or orange in half and rub over areas of dry skin. The citrus helps slough off dry skin cells on some of the rougher areas of your body, and the scent will help energize you. Just make sure the skin isn’t cracked or the acidity will sting.
4 Moisturizing Hair Mask
Image Credit: Beautypunk.wordpress.comFor dry, brittle hair, you’ll want to apply one of these two hair masks. The simple version is to let your hair soak in olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. For a mask that not only moisturizes but brightens as well, you can also mix 1/2 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of lemon extract, 2 tablespoons of wheat germ, and the juice and pulp from half a lemon in a bowl. Apply to your hair and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. If you want, you can cover your hair with a shower cap. Finish by washing the mask out of your hair with a hot shower.
3 Eye Soothing Treatment
Image Credit: Wedeclectic.comCucumber eye patches are the standard when it comes to eye soothers, but tea bags can also help reduce swelling, puffiness, and redness around your eyes. You can either use chamomile tea (reduce inflammation) or green or black tea (tighten skin and reduce swelling). Steep the tea bags in boiling water for five to 10 minutes then drain and cool in the refrigerator. After the tea bags have cooled completely, place over your eyes for 15 minutes.
2 Scented Facial Steam
Image Credit: Beautynerdmarisha.wordpress.comThis treatment serves two purposes: to relax you with a calming scent and healing steam and to clear dirt and oil from your pores. To get started, drop a few tablespoons of dried herbs or flowers like sage or calendulas or a few drops of essential oil like lemongrass or lavender into two cups of boiling water. You can also use a half cup of Epsom salt. Steep for 10 minutes before transferring to a large bowl. Sit in your bathroom with a towel draped over your head and the bowl. Rest with your face over the bowl and eyes closed for five minutes, breathing in the aroma and relaxing. Finish by rinsing your face with lukewarm water.
1 Homemade Exfoliator
Image Credit: Thebeautygypsy.comFor an all-over skin scrub, combine 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of raw oatmeal, and 1 cup of olive oil in a bowl. Stir everything together and use in the shower. First, apply to dry skin then rinse off. The sugar and oatmeal will help get rid of dead skin, while the oatmeal and olive oil help with dry skin. For a more invigorating version, you can try equal parts of lemon juice and granulated sugar. The citrus scent will rejuvenate you while clearing any oiliness.
After your relaxation time, finish your spa day with a brisk walk around the neighborhood to increase blood flow and get your endorphins going. For the complete experience, you should also enjoy a fresh, healthy lunch, snack, or dinner. A vegetable salad, fresh fruit slices, and a glass of red wine are all good options to keep your insides as healthy as your outsides. And any time you need a quick pick-me-up, remember to breathe correctly and deeply — in through your nose, out through your mouth — and always practice good posture to help with circulation.
