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Why spend money on pricey spa treatments when you can make your own natural skin care products at home? Cocoa, honey, fruit and yogurt -- these are just a few of the yummy ingredients you can use in home spa recipes to relax your mind while they pamper your body and soothe your soul.
To help you whip up a frenzy of fabulous home spa mini-makeovers, WebMD talked to some of the best known bath and skin care experts in the country. What follows are their million-dollar home spa secrets -- for just pennies per treatment!
Bon appetite. Uh . . . we mean -- happy spa!
All-Natural Chocolate Facial Mask
This decadent facial mask, ideal for normal skin, will leave your face smooth, soft, and silky. The cream and honey add moisture, and the oatmeal sloughs dead skills, perfect for smelling romantic and deliciously edible. Enjoy!
1/3 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons cottage cheese
1/4 cup honey
3 teaspoons oatmeal powder
Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face. Relax for 10 minutes; then rinse with warm water.
* Courtesy of Bliss Spa, New York City
Apple Pie Spa Treatment Skin Polish
Apples are notorious for their nutritional benefits; they're 85% water and high in potassium and vitamins A and C. Perhaps even more beneficial is the malic acid, an exfoliating enzyme in apples that is useful for removing dead skin cells and surface dirt.
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh apple puree or apple sauce
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix all ingredients, stirring well. In the bath or shower, apply scrub to skin in a circular motion, using a washcloth, bath gloves, or a loofah sponge. Pay special attention to rough spots like elbows, heels, and knees. Rinse well, and follow with a rich body lotion.
Note: If using on the face, omit granulated sugar. Brown sugar, because it dissolves gently, is a more appropriate choice for the delicate skin of the face.
* Courtesy of The Bachelor Gulch Spa at The Ritz-Carlton
Papaya Rejuvenation Home Spa Skin Refresher
Exfoliate your skin gently with natural papaya enzymes, and leave the house with a gentle glow.
Wash face thoroughly.
Bring large pot of water to a boil.
While water is heating, mash 1/2 of a papaya into a paste.
Move pot to table and place face over steam, holding a bath towel over your head. Adjust to be sure skin is at a comfortable temperature.
Steam face for 5-8 minutes.
Apply papaya mixture, carefully avoiding the eye area.
Lie down and relax for 5-10 minutes.
When you feel fully rejuvenated, rinse your face and apply moisturizer for a radiant complexion.