091720 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

Let’s face it. It’s been a stressful
year, and there’s a good chance it’s
starting to show. Between the closing
of self-care businesses for most of
this year and having to wear masks
for long periods of time on a regular
basis, the skin on your face could
probably use some love and care.
Use the following steps to treat yourself
to a DIY facial:
Step 1: Remove all traces of
makeup and wash your face. It’s important
to start with a fresh face to
make sure all the ingredients you’ll
be using penetrate your skin and do
their jobs. When washing your face,
use lukewarm water; and rub in the
cleanser using gentle, circular motions
around your face.
Step 2: Exfoliate. Gently exfoliating
the skin removes dead skin, leaving
your face feeling smoother and
your skin tone more even. You can
buy an exfoliate or use one of these
at-home mixtures:
• Old-fashioned oats scrub —
Blend 1/2 cup uncooked old-fashioned
oats and water until oats are
finely ground, add water until paste
forms.
• Brown sugar and honey scrub
— Mix equal parts brown sugar and
honey.
• Coffee scrub — Mix equal parts
of used coffee grounds and jojoba,
olive or rose hip oil.
• Sugar scrub — Mix 1 teaspoon
cane sugar; 2 drops water; and 1-2
drops orange, lemon, lavender or
tea tree essential oils.
• Coconut sugar scrub — Mix 1
tablespoon coconut oil and 2 tablespoons
sugar.
Step 3: Steam. Steaming your face
opens your pores, allowing your skin
to soak up all of the facial ingredients.
Boil a pot of water on the stove, remove
and set it on pot holders on a
table. Cover your head and the pot of
water with a towel, allowing the steam
to penetrate your skin. Don’t touch the
water. If you become uncomfortable,
pull away from the hot water. Another
option is to run the shower with hot
water and sit in the bathroom, allowing
steam to fill up the room. Steam
your face for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Mask. There are endless
masks available that help with
HOW
everything from wrinkles to dry, dull
skin. Or, create your own mask using
common pantry items. Masks should
be left on for 15-20 minutes to allow
the ingredients to soak into your
skin.
• Acne treating mask — 1 mashed
banana, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda,
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder.
• Moisturizing mask — 1 mashed
avocado, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt,
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon
honey.
• Brightening mask — 1/2 cup
mashed papaya, 1 teaspoon honey,
1 whipped egg white.
• Anti-wrinkle mask — 1/2
mashed banana, 1 mashed apricot
(remove seeds), 1 tablespoon warm
water.
Step 5: Tone. Toning isn’t the
stinging alcohol you might remember
from your teen years. A good toner
should moisturize your skin and restore
its pH balance. It also removes
any excess oils and dead skin cells
that may still be on your face.
Step 6: Serum. Serums are fastabsorbing
moisturizers that deliver
active ingredients to target specific
areas or problems. Apply serums
for dark circles under your eyes,
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x September 17 — 30, 2020 x 5
TO ...
Give Yourself a DIY Facial
Treat Your Face to an At-Home Spa Day!
by Lauren Salinero
Pamper
your skin at
home with a
luxurious DIY
facial.
wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dry skin,
etc. The options are endless.
Step 7: Moisturize. Lastly, lock
in the hydrations from your mask,
toner and serum with a moisturizer.
You don’t need to use a lot; a small
pea-sized amount is perfect. Apply
to your cheeks in a gentle, circular
motion. Using light, gentle upward
strokes, apply to your forehead and
the rest of your face.
For a truly luxurious experience,
try using one or more essential oils.
Some recommended oils for your
face are rose hip seed oil, containing
vitamins C and A with moisturizing
and anti-aging properties; lavender,
an antibacterial with a calming
aroma; frankincense with anti-aging
properties; tea tree oil for acne treatment;
and geranium to help smooth
and tone skin. These can be added
to your homemade exfoliate or
mask.
Before using anything on your
face, check the ingredients to be
sure you aren’t allergic, especially if
you have sensitive skin. None of the
above are intended to treat medical
conditions. If you have any questions
or concerns, contact your doctor. ª
Juliet Vaginal Rejuvenation
Voted Top Doctor in
Orlando 2015-2020
Hysteroscopy