DEEP CLEANSING BY FACIAL MASSAGE, MASKS AND FACE PACKS
At least once a week, a deep cleansing routine is a must for a clear complexion. Cleanse your face using a cleanser. Apply massage oil or cold cream and follow this with a facial massage.
FACIAL MASSAGE
Facial massage revives and conditions your skin. It helps to raise your skin’s temperature, thereby improving blood circulation. A facial massage also soothes and eases tension in the facial muscles.
A massage is necessary for all types of skin. As you grow older gracefully, massage takes a prominent role. Massage with the proper techniques helps tone and firm up sagging muscles.
Use a hair band to tie up your hair neatly, away from your face. Apply a good cream liberally all over the face and neck.
Facial massage always begins at the base of your throat. Move towards the chin using the fingers of one hand, followed in quick succession with the fingers of the other hand.
Tap all over the face and neck using the first and second fingers. Press thumbs under the middle of the chin line and gently stroke outward, towards the end of the jawline. Push your chin gently upwards using both hands. Move upwards on either side of your mouth and work towards your ear lobes—massage the nose with small, upward movements on either side of the nose. Move towards the centre of the eyebrows and around the eye using a circular motion. Move vertically from the brows to the hairline. Massage temples with slight pressure using small circular movements. Repeat this movement four times each. Allot extra time for problem areas like a lined forehead.
STEAM FACIAL
Steaming dilates the pores. Steam penetrates and deeply cleanses the pores, bringing all the hidden grease and dirt to the surface. Cooking instantly creates a lovely glow on your face, an effective treatment for a fresh shine. Stick to the weekly steaming process if you have dry, sensitive skin.
• Use the electric steam unit for steaming. Alternatively, you may use a basin filled with steaming hot water.
• You may like to add herbs or flowers to the hot water. Steep herbs/flowers in hot water for five minutes. However, if you have a lot of blackheads, throw in a few crystals of camphor instead of spices.
• Bend over the basin.
• Cover your head with a towel to trap the steam inside.
• Close your eyes and hold your head as close to the steam as possible without discomfort.
• Breathe in the vapours. The aroma of the herbs will stimulate a soothing, relaxed feeling.
• Allow the vapours to streak down your face.
• Once your pores are dilated with the steaming process, wipe the face with a tissue or damp cotton wool once your pores are enlarged with the steaming process.
• Remove blackheads by gently pressing them, using a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool.
• Splash with warm water and follow it with icy cold water.
• You may apply a face mask now.
FACE MASK
Masks are excellent beauty revivers and give the skin an instant wonder, Filip. Masks lend a smooth complexion to the user. Masks are more effective after a steam facial.
MASK GUIDELINES
Carefully select the masks best suited to your skin type, and remember…
• If you treat your skin for the first time with a face mask, you may find a few blemishes a week later. This indicates that the treatment is working well.
• Masks must always be used on clean skin.
• Apply a face mask when the skin is warm.
• Mask application must be avoided around the eyes and mouth.
• For dry, sensitive and combination skin types, the mask may be washed off after 10 minutes.
• Oily skin needs a mask for 15 minutes before rinsing off.
• Vary treatments from season to season.
• Once you know your skin type and its limitations, you can decide on a face mask made from various flowers, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
• Fortify your skin with some of nature’s most fantastic beauty ingredients.
AVOCADO MASK
It is a perfect mask for dry skin.
Ingredients: ½ tsp. Honey or safflower oil
One egg yolk
¼ tsp. Honey or safflower oil
Method: Mask avocado well. Add beaten egg yolk and honey.
Application: Apply on the skin and rinse off after 15 minutes.
CARROT MASK
Carrot contains plenty of vitamin A and is excellent for sensitive skin.
Ingredients: ½ carrot
¼ tsp. honey
Method: Grate carrot. Extract the juice and stir in honey.
Application: Pat on the skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off.
POTATO MASK FOR DRY SKIN
Ingredients: ½ tbsp. grated potatoes
1 tsp. curd
Method: Add curd to well-grated potato and mix well.
Application: Apply on the face and let it dry for 15 minutes before washing off.
SIMPLE OATMEAL MASK
Ingredients: 1½ tbsp. oatmeal
A little milk
Water
Method: Soak Oatmeal in milk and water for 15 minutes.
Application: Apply as a mask.
Oatmeal masks have softening as well as whitening properties. Use oatmeal grains as exfoliating masks.
TOMATO MASK FOR OILY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tomato
The rind of ½ lemon
A dash of lemon juice
Method: Mask tomato, mix with a very finely grated rind, and add a dash of lemon juice.
Application: Put on the face and rinse off after 10 minutes with warm water.
KAOLIN AND WHEATGERM MASK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. Oatmeal
½ tsp. wheatgerm powder
1 tsp. kaolin
Method: Soak Oatmeal in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Add wheatgerm and kaolin.
Application: Apply all over the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with tepid water.
WHEATGERM MASK
Ingredients: ½ tbsp. Wheatgerm
½ tbsp. oatmeal
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh cream
Method: Combine wheat germ and Oatmeal. Add to it olive oil and fresh cream to make a thick paste.
Application: Apply evenly and rinse off after 10 minutes.
COOLING MASK
Ingredients: ½ tbsp. Oatmeal
½ tbsp. wheatgerm
1 tsp. milk powder
1 tsp. sandalwood powder
1 tsp. barley powder
½ tsp. fenugreek powder
1 tsp. kaolin
Method: Soak Oatmeal in water for 10 minutes and combine all ingredients. Use just enough water to make it into a paste and apply. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off.
REVITALIZING MASK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. brewer’s yeast
Two capsules of vitamin E
One capsule of vitamin D
One tablet of vitamin A
Method: Prick a pin into each capsule, squeeze the contents, add yeast, and mix well.
Application: Apply mask and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off.
YEAST MASK FOR OILY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. brewer’s yeast
2 tbsp. yoghurt
Method: Make a light, thin mixture combining the above elements.
Application: Apply all over the skin and allow it to dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water, splash cold water and pat dry.
EGG MASK
Ingredients: 1 egg
Lemon juice or honey
Method: Beat one egg and add 1 tsp. Honey for dry skin or 1 tsp. Of lemon juice if the skin is oily.
Application: Apply all over the face for 15 minutes. Wash off thoroughly.
CUCUMBER MASK FOR SLUGGISH AND TIRED FACE
Ingredients: ½ cup mashed cucumber
One white an egg
2 tsp. skimmed milk powder
Method: Mix all ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
Application: Apply all over the face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use chilled water for the final rinse. Blot dry.
SPECIAL ALOE VERA MASK
Ingredients: 1 small aloe leaf
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. kaolin
Method: Cut open the aloe leaf and scrape out the fleshy portion. Liquidize aloe pulp for one minute. Add honey and kaolin and whisk for ½ minute. This is ideal for softening and toning. This mask is suitable for all types of skin. Replace love with lime juice for oily skin.
WINTER MASK FOR DRYNESS
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. brewer’s yeast
2 tbsp. or more distilled water
Method: Make a smooth paste of the yeast and water.
Application: Apply thickly over the face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with tepid water.
HONEY MASK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. fuller’s earth
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. rose water
Ten drops of orange juice
Method: Mix all the ingredients.
Application: Apply on the face and wash off after 15 minutes.
OATMEAL MASK FOR OILY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. oatmeal powder
½ tbsp. lemon juice
Three tsp. of milk
Method: Mix all ingredients to a smooth consistency.
Application: Apply on oily facial skin evenly and wash off after 15-20 minutes.
PARSLEY MASK FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Ingredients: 1 bunch of parsley leaves
1 tbsp. honey
Method: Chop parsley leaves finely and put in a liquidizer with water for 3-5 seconds. Remove and strain out the juice. Mix with honey.
Application: Use all over the face. After 20 minutes, rinse well with cold water. Pat dry.
HONEY AND EGG MASK
Ingredients: 1 egg
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. honey
Method: Put only the yolk in the blender at a slow speed. Slowly add sesame oil. Add honey and egg white and continue blending slowly until the mixture reaches the texture for application.
Application: Apply on the face and wash off thoroughly with water after 20 minutes. You will see the difference almost immediately. It will give elasticity and a toney effect to the skin.
HONEY FACE MASK
Ingredients: ½ tbsp. honey,
½ tbsp. barley
One egg white
Method: Mix barley with honey and add frothy egg white to form a smooth paste.
Application: Apply liberally and evenly on the entire face, leaving out the eyes and mouth area. Allow it to dry for 10 minutes. Wash with warm water. Finish off with a splash of icy cold water.
STARCH MASK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. potato starch or wheat starch, or corn starch
Warm water
Application: Massage your face gently with little olive oil. Then apply the starch mask on the face and neck. Leave the show on for 20 minutes and rinse off thoroughly with warm water.
BARLEY FACE MASK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. barley powder
1 tbsp. of milk
1 tsp. Of lemon juice
Method: Mix the first two ingredients. Add enough lemon juice to make a thick paste.
Application: Apply on the face and rinse off after 10 minutes.
EGG-CREAM FACIAL MASK (SKIN TONER)
Ingredients: 1 egg white
1 tbsp. cream
¼ tsp. of castor sugar
Method: Beat the egg white until it becomes white and fluffy; add cream and sugar. Beat together.
Application: Apply a thick layer all over the face with a brush. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
MASKS FOR PROBLEM SKIN
Ingredients: 1 banana
2-3 tbsp. of milk
Method: Mash banana and add milk to make a paste.
Application: Apply all over the face and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
OLIVE OIL MASK (FOR BLEMISHES)
Ingredients: ½ tbsp. Of olive oil
¼ tbsp. of lemon juice
Method: Mix the ingredients well.
Application: Apply the application to remain for 15 minutes
before washing off.
MINT MASK (FOR BLEMISHES)
Ingredients: 1 sprig of mint leaves
1 tsp. rose water
Method: Wash and grind the mint leaves to a smooth paste using rose water.
Application: To be applied preferably overnight or left for a couple of hours before washing off.
ALMOND MASK
Ingredients: 4 almonds
2 tbsp. of milk
1 tsp. orange juice
One vitamin A capsule
Method: Soak almonds in water. Grind with milk and add orange juice. Squeeze the contents of the vitamin A capsule and mix well.
Application: Apply on the face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes before washing off.
ALL-PURPOSE MASK
Ingredients: ½ tsp. barley powder
½ tsp. olive oil (if the skin is dry)
1 tsp. curd
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. carrot juice
1 tsp. gelatine (dissolved in water)
2 tsp. Brewer’s yeast powder
Method: Blend all the ingredients well.
Application: Apply over face and neck and rinse off thoroughly with cold water.
Fruit and vegetable juices supply the needed vitamins and minerals, barley supplies protein, yeast stimulates blood flow, and curd cleanses the skin.
RAW PAPAYA MASK
Ingredients: A small piece of raw papaya.
Method: Grate papaya finely and extract juice.
Application: Saturate cotton wool into the juice and apply over blemished skin. Wash off after 15 minutes.
YOGHURT BASED MASKS
Yoghurt may be combined with other ingredients to form various combinations of masks. Yoghurt is an excellent cleansing, softening as well binding agent. Yoghurt is suitable for all skin types. Hence you can combine yoghurt or buttermilk with other ingredients. Prepare a mask suited for your skin.
• Yoghurt combined with tomato pulp serves as a good
astringent.
• Yoghurt and mashed cucumber have a toning and refreshing
effect.
• Yoghurt and honey help dry skin.
• Yoghurt can be combined with equal parts of Fuller’s earth
and diluted with mint juice.
• When combined with crushed parsley leaves, it makes an
excellent mask for combination skin.
• Egg white with yoghurt softens the skin.
All yoghurt based masks must be first washed off with warm
water and finished off with a splash of cold water.
MOISTURIZING OR SOFTENING MASKS
These masks contain ingredients such as fruit juices and glycerine, which improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture and prevent loss of water from the skin.
FRUIT BASED MASK
• Papaya mask is excellent for lending a healthy glow to the skin. Mash a small piece of papaya and spread it over the face and neck. After 15 minutes, rinse it off with cold water.
• De-seed grapes, rub the pulp all over the face and rinse it off with cold water after 20 minutes.
• Mashed strawberries and peaches may also be used in the same way.
REMEDIES FOR GREASY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tsp. Of cucumber juice
½ tsp. lemon juice
Three drops of rose water
Combine and apply on the face. Leave for 15 minutes before washing off.
Ingredients: 1 sprig of lettuce leaves
1 tbsp. rose water
½ tsp. lemon juice
Grind to paste lettuce leaves using rose water. Add lemon juice before application.
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. gram flour
2 tbsp. cucumber juice
Method: Combine both ingredients and apply evenly over the entire face leaving out the eyes and mouth area. Wash off after 15 minutes using tepid water.
FACE PACKS
All skin types benefit from the deep-cleansing activities of a face pack. Face pack cleanses deep into the pores and freshens the skin’s texture.
EGG FACE PACK
This face pack is especially beneficial to dry skin types.
Ingredients: 1 egg yolk
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. milk powder
Rose water
Method: Mix the ingredients. Use rose water to achieve a paste form.
Application: Apply all over the face and neck. Wash off after 15 minutes using warm water.
FACE PACK FOR DRY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. of olive oil
½ lemon
One egg yolk
Method: Extract the juice of the lemon, add olive oil and egg yolk. Mix well.
Application: Apply and leave on for 15 minutes and wash off.
FULLER’S EARTH FACE PACK
Ingredients: 1½ tbsp. Fuller’s earth
1½ tbsp. lemon juice
½ tbsp. honey
Method: Mix all ingredients to form a paste.
Application: After application, wash after 15 minutes with lukewarm water. It is beneficial for oily and large-pored skin.
WINTER PACK
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. of wheat gram
Olive oil
Method: Combine the above ingredients to make a paste.
Application: Apply over the face and relax for 15 minutes. Wash off gently.
FACIAL PACK FOR DRY SKIN
Ingredients: 1 tsp. almond oil
1 tsp. olive oil
Method: Mix both oils
Application: Apply over the face and rinse off after 15 minutes.
BANANA HONEY PACK
Ingredients: ½ banana
½ tbsp. honey
Plan: Mash banana well, add in love and mix well.
Application: Apply well over the face and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.
HONEY PACK FOR WRINKLED SKIN
Ingredients: 1 egg white
2 tbsp. honey
Method: Mix all ingredients and make a thick paste.
Application: Apply the pack and relax on the bed until dry. Wash off.