It’s been a crazy couple of months and we could all benefit from some TLC.
With no more trips to the spa on the roster for quite some time, we know you’re missing your “me days” as much as we are. So, in honor of tried and true beauty regimens everywhere, we’ve asked Regan Schneider, food scientist and founder of luxury bioactive skincare brand ARÊMÊS FERMENTIS, to share some fun tips for how to create a spa experience right in your own home using ingredients found in your kitchen.
Using baking soda, coffee grounds, and olive oil, amongst others, Schneider explains how to unclog pores, create hair treatments, and formulate body scrubs and facial masks -- all with anti-aging and hydrating properties that’ll last for days.
Because baking soda is naturally alkaline it can help break down sebum and debris that might be clogging pores, as well as lighten or fade acne scars and dark spots. It’s a mild exfoliant so you can gently massage it into your skin by adding it to an existing facial cleanser to help remove dead skin and clean pores while also drying out and healing existing pimples. (However, due to its alkalinity it’s important to not apply baking soda to the skin by itself and it should only be used as a boost to your regular facial wash 1-2 times a week.)
Coffee grounds are one of the home’s most easily repurposed ingredients. They can be great for a more coarse body or lip scrub (but not recommended for the face unless the grounds are very fine). When used correctly, coffee has many benefits for the skin through its high antioxidant content. These antioxidants help protect skin from free radicals, increase blood flow, and fight against anti-aging effects. The large amount of caffeine in coffee can also stimulate blood flow and dilate blood vessels which creates a tightening effect on the skin, resulting in a temporary visual reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness around the eyes.
For a body exfoliant, mix coffee grounds with a nourishing oil like grapeseed, jojoba, or olive oil to use as a scrub in the shower or bath. To create a face mask that doesn't clog pores or damage skin, use very fine coffee grounds with a light oil (like sweet almond or sunflower) and a drop of essential oil (like lavender) to very gently massage into the skin. (Leave for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.) For a quick fix to puffy eyes, put coffee grounds on a small cloth and lay over the eyes for 5-10 minutes.
Olive oil is a very nourishing oil that contains a myriad of antioxidants and vitamins for your skin which fight free radicals that damage skin cells, prevent premature aging, and provide protection against damaging UV rays. They also contain fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K which provide essential fatty acids to the skin's surface and provide relief to dry or flaky skin, creating a softer and healthier complexion. Additionally, olive oil has antibacterial properties that can help lower the microbial load of harmful bacteria on the surface of the skin as well as improve healing by lowering the risk of infection and inflammation.
Olive oil is best used in conjunction with other ingredients. It can be used in facial serums with oils like sweet almond, sunflower, and grapeseed or integrated into cream moisturizers. It can also be used in face masks with ingredients like honey, coffee grounds, or ground oats, and/or used in hair masks with heavy oils like avocado and argan.
Although the comedogenic level of olive oil is relatively low at a rating of 2, it may be too heavy for those who get breakouts or clogged pores very easily. It is extremely important to source olive oil that is high quality. Low quality olive oils can contain chemicals or carrier oils with high comedogenic levels that can irritate or damage sensitive skin.
Other common household ingredients that can be utilized in skin or hair treatments are honey, coconut oil, avocado, and oatmeal.
For an after-the-shower serum, apply coconut oil, avocado oil, or argan oil to provide nourishment, shine, and bounce to dry or brittle hair.
For those who are looking for a hydration boost in their skin, a mask of honey, aloe vera, and oatmeal can provide hydration, soothe inflammation, and reduce redness in the skin. (Just make sure that the aloe vera be the main ingredient to dilute the honey content, as too much sugar can attract water molecules and will suck the moisture out of the skin.)
And just like that, you’ve got a personal spa from the comfort of your own home. What other goodies do you have hiding in your kitchen?
Regan Schneider is a food scientist and the founder of luxury bioactive skincare brand ARÊMÊS FERMENTIS.
Photos provided by ARÊMÊS FERMENTIS.
Originally featured on: https://www.lagunabeachliving.com/wellness/2020/4/22/give-yourself-a-spa-treatment-at-home
