Holistic Recipes

You may be surprised how many things in your kitchen can actually become a part of a natural skin care regime. One of the exciting classes offered at SWINA is called Kitchen Aesthetic. Below are samples of the recipes you may choose to try.

Aphrodite Apple Mask

This recipe is courtesy of Noreen Finneran "Incredible Edible Spa"

1 T Applesauce
1 T Wheat Germ

To Make: Purée apple in a blender or add applesauce to a small bowl. Mix in the wheat germ to form a paste.

To Use: Apply to washed, scrubbed, and steamed face. Allow mask to set for 10-15 minutes. Tone then moisturize.

Avocado Carrot Cream Mask

This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com

This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

1 avocado, mashed
1 carrot, cooked and mashed
½ cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner.

Cucumber-Honey Toner

This recipe is courtesy of www.honey.com National Honey Board

1 medium Cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces
2 tsp. Honey

Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.

To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about ½ cup.

Ginger Skin Creme

This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com

Ginger invigorates, and oil soothes. Try this double dose for dry skin.

2-inch piece of fresh ginger
2 teaspoons light sesame oil
2 teaspoons apricot kernel oil
2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
½ cup cocoa butter

Preheat oven on lowest setting. Finely grate the ginger just enough so that you have about an 1/8 teaspoon of ginger "juice." To obtain the juice, squeeze the freshly grated ginger over a small bowl. Place the ingredients (including the ginger) in a glass container and heat just until the cocoa butter is melted and the oils are blended. Pour into a clean, dry container and store in a cool dry place. You can add a few drops of orange or other essential oil for a nice twist.

Kiwi Facial Cleanser (for dry or oily skin)

This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com

1 kiwi fruit
2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
1 tablespoon orange water
1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon finely ground almonds
2 drops orange (or your favorite citrus) essential oil

Puree the kiwi fruit in a food processor until liquid. During processing, add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil, and ground almonds. Process until thick and cream like. Add essential and stir to mix. To apply, massage gently over neck, face and décolleté to cleanse. Rinse well. Makes one application.

Marigold Face Mask

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics”

1 T Marigold flowers
1 T Chamomile flowers
½ C Water
Almond oil, as much as is necessary
1 T Carrots, well-mashed
1 T Lecithin granules
1 tsp. Wheat germ oil

Quantity: 1-2 masks

To Make: Bring water to a boil and pour over the Marigold and Chamomile flowers. Cover and set aside. Mash the carrots, add wheat germ oil. Strain out the liquid from the flowers and add them to the carrot-wheat germ oil. Mix thoroughly and add the lecithin granules. If you have a blender, blend it finely. The texture can be changed with the addition of Almond oil; add a bit to make a smooth cream for dry skin; if you have oily skin add enough Almond oil to blend these disparate ingredients.

To Use: Wash face. Steam clean it for a few minutes with one of the steam mixtures. Apply a thick layer of the Marigold Face Mask to the face in smooth upward motions. Rest on a slantboard or rock in a rocking chair, but in any case leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Wipe it off with tissues, rinse with warm water and then close your pores with a refreshing cold water rinse.

Why: Marigold and Chamomile flower infusion is healing to the tissues; carrots add texture and Vitamin A that may or may not be absorbed through the skin; lecithin is an emulsifying agent in the recipe that is also necessary for healthy tissues; wheat germ oil adds Vitamin E; and the Almond oil is for a creamy consistency.

Tip: This mask does not harden but stays relatively moist. It will leave your skin smoother and refreshed, stimulating both facial circulation and muscles.

Night-Time Rose Creamy Lotion

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics”

20 fl. oz. Almond oil
16 fl. oz. Rosewater to which have been added 1 oz. dried red Rose petals, this soaked for 3 days, then strained out and removed
3 oz. Beeswax Essence of Rose, if desired

To make: Into a water bath or the top of a double boiler put the oil and the wax. Heat until the wax is dissolved and then remove pot from the fire. Add the Rosewater slowly, beating all the while, and beat until it is cool. At this point add the essence of Rose a drop at a time, if you like. Beat the creamy lotion until cold, pour into a bottle and store away for use.

To use: This lotion makes an excellent Rose Cold Cream to remove old grimy dirt or makeup. Simply apply with clean fingertips and remove with fine tissue. Then you might take a teaspoonful of cornmeal in each palm and rub the hands and face well with it. Rinse with warm water and then cold. Pat the remaining fine film of cream into the skin for night-time smoothing.

Why: Almond oil and Rosewater as we know is an excellent moisturizing lubricant for normal to dry to sensitive skin; cornmeal is a gentle tonic stimulating to the tissues and acts as a "beauty grain".

Tip: Whenever making fine cosmetics always use a porcelain or glass pot. Some beauty experts recommend stainless steel cooking pots but these often leach poisonous heavy metals into the enclosed liquids. Nonmetal is best for herbs.

Peach Lotion (for dry or normal skin)

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things”

1 Peach
4 drops tincture of Benzoin (known to be STRONG sensitizer)
2 oz. coconut or sweet almond oil
1 ½ oz. orange flower water and 1 or 2 drops orange oil

Wash, drain, mash, and then strain the juice from 1 peach through muslin or cheesecloth. Add to it 4 drops of tincture of benzoin, 2 oz. coconut or sweet almond oil, 1 ½ oz. orange flower water and 1 or 2 drops orange oil. Beat together until it is fluffy and pour into a clean 4 oz container. It will keep for a longer period if you store it in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to moisturize your skin whenever it feels dry.

Rose Cream for Day Use

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things”

6 fl. oz. Almond oil
2 oz. Beeswax
1 heaping tsp. anhydrous Lanolin
1 tsp. Borax dissolved in 4 fl. oz. Rosewater
2 tsp. Zinc Oxide rubbed into a smooth cream with 4 fl. oz. Almond oil
10-20 drops oil of Rose

Quantity: Makes enough for about three 4 oz. cream jars.

To Make: Heat the beeswax and the lanolin gently in a water bath. Do not let the wax simmer or burn. Remove from heat and add the Almond oil slowly. Add the zinc oxide-Almond oil cream beating the mixture continuously. Add the borax-Rosewater and beat until cool. Add enough oil of Rose to scent the mixture to your liking. Beat until cold with a small wooden spoon. Pour into three 4 oz. cram jars and let sit until solidified.

To Use: This makes an excellent everyday cream that can be used under makeup or as a moisturizer. Simply rub gently onto face, hands or throat. As a throat moisturizer the cream is excellent, especially when rubbed in with a large marble or small avocado pit. rub in gentle circular motions while looking up into the sky, thereby stretching and stimulating your neck muscles.

Why: Almond oil replaces necessary body oils; Rosewater is a gentle astringent and moisturizer replacing liquid to the cells and tightening the skin; lanolin is a potent emollient and very much like human oils; borax is a skin softener and will help to produce a very white cream while its disadvantage is that it often adds a grainy texture; zinc oxide is useful for healing reddened, sore or irritated skin.

Rose Eye Wash for Sore, Tired or Irritated Eyes

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things”

1 oz. Rosewater
8 oz. Water
9 Rosebuds

Quantity: Makes 3-8 eye or face washes.

To Make: In a small covered enamel pot, bring the Rosebuds and water to a slow boil, lower the heat, remove the cover and simmer for a minute or two until some of the water boils off. Strain out the liquid into a clean container and refrigerate. When cool, add the Rosewater to 4 oz. of the herbal liquid. You must use this liquid within 3 days.

To Use: Rinse your eyes whenever necessary using this fluid with either an eyecup or the hollow of your palm.

Tip No. 1: You can also add 1 oz. Rosewater directly to 4 oz. of distilled or boiled water, without using the Rosebuds called for above and bottle the liquid. This will not spoil and may be used at your leisure.

Tip No. 2: Rosewater may be purchased at any old-fashioned pharmacy, herb or nutrition store and in most fine liquor stores (Rosewater is often used in fine mixed drinks). You might also find it available in Turkish or Middle Eastern specialty shops.

Rose Oil and Honey Facial Mask

This recipe is courtesy of www.honey.com National Honey Board

Rejuvenate and replenish your skin. Sweet almond oil, which is light and easily absorbed, softens and nourishes skin. Honey as natural humectant, moisturizes, leaving even tired skin incredibly smooth.

2 T Honey
2 T Sweet Almond oil
5 drops essential oil of Rose
1 drop Vitamin E oil

Mix honey, sweet almond oil and essential oil of rose.

Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry to reveal a fresh, soft complexion.

SharAmbrosia Banana Facial Masque

This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia

1 ripe ripe Banana
1 T Honey
½ teaspoon Jojoba oil
1 T Yogurt
1 egg white
1 T Kaolin (white) clay

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg white, then blend in the Yogurt, Jojoba oil, Honey and then the Kaolin clay until it becomes a smooth creamy mixture. In a separate bowl, mash up the banana until it is smooth, then blend into the first mixture.

The best way to use this masque is while sitting in the tub because it is a bit messy. Apply to the entire face, neck and shoulder area. As it sits, keep applying more while you build the masque up as well as massage it in. Let sit for at least 10-15 minutes and then remove with a warm washcloth. Finish with a tonic or hydrosol on a cotton ball to remove any excess product from the skin, then moisturize as usual.

This is a wonderful softening and firming treatment in one.

SharAmbrosia Chamomile Lip Balm

This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia

½ tsp. Macadamia Nut oil
½ tsp. Jojoba oil
1 tsp. lanolin
½ tsp. Cocoa butter
½ tsp. Beeswax
½ tsp. Chamomile flowers (dried)

In a double-boiler, melt ½ tsp. Macadamia Nut oil, ½ tsp. jojoba oil, ½ tsp. lanolin and ½ tsp. Cocoa butter until it is liquefied. Add ½ tsp. of dried Chamomile flowers and stir gently for about 10 minutes. Strain the mixture with a very fine sieve into a small Pyrex ramekin and clean the area of the double boiler where you had the mixture (Dry the area well). Pour the new strained mixture back into the double boiler and reheat. Add another ½ tsp. of lanolin and ½ tsp. of beeswax shavings. Heat and stir until liquefied completely. Remove from the heat and pour into a ½ oz. amber or cobalt container. This is enough for personal use. To use on dry hands, or to give as gifts, you'll want to double or triple this recipe.

This is a very soothing formula that has real "staying" power.

SharAmbrosia Honey Almond Scrub

This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia

This is a Honey Almond scrub with a Peppermint twist! This product will exfoliate your skin to help make it smoother and softer.

4 T Almond meal (sometimes called Almond flour)
2 T Jojoba oil
4 T Honey
5 drops of Peppermint essential oil

In a 4 oz cobalt or amber glass jar (preferably) pour in the Almond meal and Jojoba oil. Stir well. Then mix in the Honey and Peppermint essential oil. Keep stirring until the mixture is completely mixed.

To use: Cleanse skin first. Apply about a teaspoon amount of the scrub to a moistened face. Mix with water to make it a more fluid application (do not add water to the jar). Scrub the skin gently, letting the almond meal do the work (harder pressure will only damage capillaries!). Massage every square inch of skin except the delicate eye tissue. Remove with a warm washcloth. Be careful to remove every bit of the scrub. Apply a tonic or hydrosol with a cotton ball to remove any excess product. Finish by applying your moisturizer. Use about once a week to help keep the skin soft and smooth and relieve surface tension.

SharAmbrosia Kelp Firming Masque

This recipe is courtesy of SharAmbrosia

This mask treatment will help to soften and firm your skin at the same time.

3 T Yogurt
1 tsp. Organic Powdered Kelp
1 tsp. Honey

Place 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt into a small dish. Add the powdered Kelp, stir well. Add the honey and stir until all three ingredients are blended into a smooth consistency. To use: Cleanse face, apply the mask all over face, neck and shoulder area. Massage lightly (the Kelp acts as beauty grains to promote exfoliation). Leave on for about 5-10 minutes. Remove with a warm washcloth. Use a tonic or hydrosol on a cotton ball for complete removal. Apply your moisturizer as usual. Kelp contains iodine, so those with iodine allergies should not use this mask.

Spa Index Papaya Pumpkin Facial

This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com

If you have visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you've probably seen a facialist select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask. It's easy to recreate this mask at home -- we've found a Balinese mask for you which will leave your face fresh and glowing.

2/3 cup fresh papaya, mashed
15 oz. can pure pumpkin
1 egg, beaten

Prepare the mask. Cut the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the papaya fruit and mash it well to eliminate lumps in the mask. Beat the egg until it is frothy. Combine that with the papaya. Add the pumpkin to the egg/papaya mixture and whip together. You can also mix the ingredients in the blender or a food processor for an extra smooth mask.
Prepare your face. Wash with your daily cleanser and remove all residual makeup on your skin. Rinse with warm water. It's very important to have clean skin to ensure you get maximum benefits from the facial.
Apply the Mask. Cover your entire face, being careful to avoid the immediate eye area. If you have sensitive skin, test the mixture on your hand before spreading it on your face. You'll feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately -- gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes.
Rinse Off Mask. After you've relaxed for ten minutes it's time to rinse. The mask is fairly thick -- head for the kitchen sink.
Apply Toner & Moisturizer.

Strawberry Cream (for oily or normal skin)

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Herbs & Things”

½ oz. white beeswax
1 ½ oz. sweet almond oil
1 oz. apricot kernel oil
1 oz. strawberry juice (or apricot or peach or honey-dew melon)
8 drops tincture of benzoin (known to be STRONG sensitizer)

Wash, drain, and mash 4-5 large strawberries. Squeeze out the juice and strain through muslin or cheesecloth. Heat the beeswax and the oils together in a double boiler until the wax is melted. Remove from the heat and add the juice quickly. Beat the mixture until it is fluffy. Add the benzoin and beat until it is cool. You must beat the mixture until it cools or else it will separate.

Thyme and Fennel Seed Cleanser (for normal skin)

This recipe is courtesy of www.Spaindex.com

Fennel has been used throughout history as an aid to digestion or as a slight diuretic. As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, which is used in antiseptic preparations, is a good astringent. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.

2 sprigs fresh thyme, crumbled (or ½ T dried Thyme)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
½ cup boiling water
Juice of Half Lemon

Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator.

Yogurt-Honey Mask

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose “Kitchen Cosmetics”

1 T Yogurt
1 T Honey

To Make: Add the two ingredients together and apply to a clean, moist face.

To Use: Pat this mask onto the skin for a moisturizing, penetrating, hydrating, soothing application that will also help to clear up skin problems