Tag: diy skin care month

Calming Oatmeal Facial

Original publish date: January 19, 2012

Last nerve frayed? Winter weather dried out your skin? No problem. The chamomile in this mask has natural anti-inflammatory properties that will ease your nerves. The honey is a natural humectant, pulling moisture from the air and drawing it to your skin. It will leave you feeling calm and moisturized, and who wouldn’t want that?

You’ll need:
2 1/2 tsp. powdered milk
2 tsp. ground oatmeal
1 tsp. honey
2 chamomile tea bags

Brew…
Place the chamomile tea bags in your favorite mug and pour in 1 cup boiling water. Put a saucer over the cup to trap the escaping steam, which is now infused with the beneficial constituents of the chamomile flowers. Let this steep for 10 minutes.

After the tea is done steeping, remove the tea bags, squeeze out any excess water and place them in the refrigerator to cool.

Mix…
In a small bowl, mix together the powdered milk, ground oatmeal, honey and 2 tsp. of the warm chamomile tea. The warm water will draw out the beneficial elements of the oatmeal and milk, while liquefying the honey, creating a thin paste.

Relax…
Using your fingers, apply the oatmeal mixture to your forehead, then gently sweep down your temples, under your eyes and around your nose. Move your fingers in small circles as you apply more mixture to your cheeks, around your mouth and down your neck.

As you apply the mixture, pay attention to your breathing, take slow, calm breaths. Enjoy the light scent of chamomile and honey as you inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel the warm sensation of the oatmeal mixture as you gently spread it over your face.

When you’ve finished applying the mask, rinse your hands in warm water. Get the cooled tea bags from the refrigerator, then lie down with the tea bags placed over your closed eyes. Relax for 20 to 30 minutes and let the chamomile calm your skin and soothe your nerves.

And Rinse.
To rinse the mask off, use warm water and a wash cloth. You do not need to use soap or a cleanser. The mask will rinse clean without them and you want to allow the delicate essences of the chamomile flowers to linger on your skin. The honey will rinse off, leaving your skin feeling moisturized, without clogging your pores. Pat your face dry.

Dispose of (or compost!) the tea bags and finish your facial by sitting with a good book or magazine and sipping on the rest of the chamomile tea that you brewed earlier. If you’ve got the ingredients on hand, this entire process takes less than 45 minutes and can really replenish your mind and body after a draining day.

Happy brewing!

katie: normal girl

P.S. Who knew? Tea vs. Tisane
Did you know that in order for a beverage to be called “tea,” it actually needs to have tea leaves in it? So all of the herbal brews, like the chamomile tea you just made, are not actually teas…they’re tisanes, water infused with herbs. But seriously, who would ever call them that?? Chamomile tisane?

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 19

It’s week 4 of DIY Skin Care Month and now that you’ve cleansed and toned, it’s time to moisturize!

Why moisturize?

Lotions don’t just hydrate your skin, they also help protect it. When you apply a moisturizer to your skin, you are creating a barrier between the epidermis (skin’s upper layer) and the environment around you. Lotion protects your skin from pollutants and from the drying effects of air-conditioning and heating.

Different Moisturizers for Different Skin Types

It’s important to select a moisturizer blended for your skin type. Lotions, facial creams especially, are all blended with a certain skin type in mind which is usually marked on the container with indicator words like: hydrating, sensitive or light formula. Using a light

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 18

Welcome, Gigglers, to week 3 of DIY Skin Care Month. Today we’re talking about toners and astringents, and the reasons you should you use them. Both toners and astringents are water-based solutions that are applied to the skin after cleansing but before moisturizing. They help remove excess oil and perspiration, along with any residue left behind by your cleanser. They also balance your skin’s pH level while preparing it to better absorb your moisturizer.

Astringent vs. Toner
Astringents are usually stronger than toners, often containing isopropyl alcohol or acetone (yes, the stuff that nail polish remover is made with), which can be drying and harmful to your skin. Astringents should only be used on oily, combination and normal skin types. Toners are gentler than astringents and can be used on all skin types but are especially beneficial to those with dry or

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 17

It’s week 2 of DIY Skin Care Month and today I’m talking cleansing. It’s the first step in any good skincare regime (cleanse, tone, moisturize). At first it can sound so basic — my face is dirty, I will wash it — but it gets a little more complicated than that. What if you also need to remove makeup? What if you have acne, or dry skin or oily skin or just went for a run and there’s sweat pouring down your face?? Synthetics, chemicals, naturals, organics…whew, it can get exhausting. How do you sort through it all and come up with a solution that meets your skin’s needs? You ask The 21st Century Herbalist on HelloGiggles, of course!

Before we get to the specific cleansing tips and the recipe that I have for you, let’s start with the basics. These are tried and true methods for cleansing the skin and getting the greatest benefit with the least amount of damage, regardless of skin type.

1. I said it last week and I’ll say it again…hydrate. Any dermatologist, doctor or grandmother will tell you, water is the key to a healthy complexion. In order for skin to remain healthy and resilient, it needs to be properly hydrated from the inside out, so make

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 16

tdnsj6gad24

So we all want healthy, glowing, blemish-free, perfectly hydrated skin, right? But how to get it? Stores are filled with countless products and it can be difficult to figure out exactly what products you need, what order you’re supposed to use them in and how often you should be using them. This month, we’re sorting through it all and starting from scratch. Starting with step 1 and building on it until we end up with a complete skin care routine for your face, customized for your skin type. I’ll even include DIY recipes made with simple, all-natural ingredients, many of which are the basis for most of the skin care products on the market today.

Before we get started on DIY Skin Care Month, you’ll need to define your specific skin type because your skin care routine is a lot like