The Kitchen Spa

Want to nourish and pamper your skin? Look no further than your own pantry or fruitbowl!

Help your skin survive unpredictable weather with these two essential steps: exfoliation and moisturisation. Skin-cell buildup leads to dryness, poor circulation and blemishes. Exfoliation eliminates these dead cells, revealing fresh skin that is better able to absorb moisture. And guys, take note: While men’s skin tends to be oilier than women’s, men may be more prone to epidermal dehydration.

Kitchen spa: avocadoFood: Avocado

Purpose: Moisturiser
The scoop: Loaded with vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as potassium and fat, avocado is the perfect moisturiser. This natural soother is ideal for mature and weather-worn skin, reducing roughness, cracking and irritation. The oil found in the peel of the avocado contains a humectant, a substance that locks in moisture.
Recipe: Take a spent avocado peel and using gentle upward strokes, lightly massage your face with the inside of the peel. You can either leave on as a nighttime moisturiser or, for daytime, wash your face with it gently, rinsing three or four times with warm water; pat dry.

Kitchen spa: cucumberFood: Cucumber

Purpose: Moisturiser
The scoop: Cucumbers contain compounds known to tighten pores and reduce inflammation, which is why they’re the classic choice for minimising puffiness around the eyes.
Recipe: Puree 1 tablespoon each of cucumber and parsley. Then blend in 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt until smooth. Cover your face with this creamy masque and leave on 15 to 20 minutes. This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Rinse off with water.

Kitchen spa: oatmealFood: Oatmeal

Purpose: Exfoliant and moisturiser
The scoop: Oats are especially soothing for wind-worn or itchy skin, due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Finely ground oatmeal draws impurities from the skin, stimulates circulation and encourages new cell growth. Oat proteins also form a protective barrier to help retain moisture and prevent water loss.
Recipe: Mix 2 tablespoons each of ground oats and aloe vera with 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice until you have a smooth paste. Gently massage onto damp skin. Rinse off with warm water. Excellent for your face or as a smoothing body treatment.

Kitchen spa: peachesFood: Peach

Purpose: Exfoliant
The scoop: Peaches are rich sources of skin-renewing alpha-hydroxy fruit acids, which get rid of dead cells, and vitamins A and C to nourish new ones. Peach juice helps unblock pores, fight blemishes and may even lighten age spots and minimise wrinkles. Its astringent, toning effects are especially effective for oily skin.
Recipe: For a simple skin pick-me-up, cut a slice of peach and massage the flesh on your face. Leave the juice on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Or rub the inside of the skins of a peach on your face for a few minutes at bedtime and let the juice absorb overnight.

Kitchen spa: strawberriesFood: Strawberry

Purpose: Exfoliant
The scoop: Each strawberry packs a mighty dose of exfoliating vitamin C and AHAs, which help remove dirt and dead skin cells. AHAs also help reduce pore size and minimise ingrown hairs due to shaving, especially important for men. Perfect for oily skin, strawberries improve texture, minimise greasiness, and encourage a healthy, radiant complexion.
Recipe: With a fork, mash 8 or 9 strawberries into a paste. Add 3 tablespoons of honey; mix. (Be sure not to over blend or the mask will be runny.) Apply directly to your skin and let sit for a few minutes, then rinse off.

So there’s no need for costly products every time you want to give your skin the spa-treatment – just try feeding it from the outside in!

Written by Angela Leone, this article originally appeared in Mother Nature Network

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp

12 Responses

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RELATED POSTS
Clicks Beauty Fair: Step up your makeup game with Smudge and @SaylaDean

Clicks Beauty Fair: Step up your makeup game with Smudge and @SaylaDean

Sayla Dean shows us how to create the "Sugar Plum" look using Smudge beauty products.
Win a Smudge makeup hamper

Win a Smudge makeup hamper

Win all the Smudge makeup used to create Sayla Dean's look.
The new Reebok Sensation Body Mists are here to awaken your senses

The new Reebok Sensation Body Mists are here to awaken your senses

New Reebok Sensation Body Mists offer a moment of wellness with every spritz.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest on Instagram