Spa treatments can include exfoliation (scrubs, clay, mud), wraps (herbal, clay or mud), moisturizing, paraffin treatments, aromatherapy baths and hot and cold compresses, as well as many kinds of massage. They are often quite expensive, which makes it all the more attractive to create your own at-home spa treatments.
Supplies
For a relaxing home spa treatment, you need the following items, which can be found online or in natural food stores:
Soothing music
Pretty candles
1 cup herbal tea
6 herbal tea bags, tied together
Essential oil of your choice such as lavender, rose or geranium
1 cup clay or mud
1 cup salt, sugar, oatmeal or cornmeal
Massage oil
Warm terry robe
Purpose
Candles and soothing music, whether you choose classical music, new age, chanting or nature sounds, set the mood for your spa treatment.
Essential oils have antiseptic, anti-fungal, moisturizing and healing properties that benefit your skin but should never be applied full-strength. Clay helps to deeply cleanse and tighten your skin. It also exfoliates, removing dry dead skin cells. Dead-sea mud has many beneficial minerals; moor mud is made from nutrient-rich peat moss found at the bottom of ancient lakes. Clay is generally easier to find and less expensive than spa-grade mud. Salt, sugar, oatmeal and cornmeal are exfoliants. Salt and sugar are more abrasive, while oatmeal and cornmeal are gentler and contain carbohydrates that soothe inflamed skin.
Steeping herbal tea bags in bath water releases beneficial compounds. Drinking a soothing tea such as chamomile while in your bath helps you relax.
Procedures
Light the candles, and turn on the music. Make a cup of tea, and place your products within reach. Fill your bathtub with comfortably hot water and drop in the tea bags. Add a few drops of essential oil and a cup of clay or mud.
Soak in the bath for 20 minutes while you drink your tea and relax. When the water is tepid, empty the tub and turn on the shower. Add enough water to your choice of salt, sugar, oatmeal or cornmeal to make a sludgy paste. Using light pressure, massage the scrub onto your skin, removing clay, as well as dead skin cells.
Rinse thoroughly. Without drying first, massage oil into your skin to retain moisture. Leaving the oil on your smooth, moisturized skin, wrap up in your robe. The massage oil helps to retain the moisture from your shower, so it isn't necessary to rinse it off.
Considerations
Essential oils from pine or similar trees or citrus have the potential to irritate the skin. Peppermint tea can also be irritating. Always moisturize after exfoliating your skin. Don't shave your legs before exfoliating with salt or sugar. Rosemary essential oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
More ideas
For more ideas, visit local spas and ask for copies of their menus. Often they also sell the products they use, so you can find special blends of scrubs, clays, mud and oils to use at home. Visit websites that sell ingredients for soaps, oils, creams and lotions.
References
- Snowdrift Farm
- Milady's Standard Esthetics Advanced; Milady; 2010
- Majestic Mountain Sage
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