Many ingredients that you can find in your kitchen that are healthy to eat can also be used for external skin care. You can give yourself a facial in the serenity of your own home, and best of all, you can use supplies you have at hand, costing you only time. Here’s how you can pamper yourself with a home facial.

1. Massage a cream or foam cleanser into your face using circular motions. Rinse with warm water and a soft facecloth or sponge.
2. Exfoliate gently, concentrating on problem zones. If you don’t have a store bought exfoliator, try adding cornmeal, ground oatmeal, or even sugar to your regular cleanser, cold cream or water to form a paste. Rinse and pat dry.
3. Apply mask gently, using a light even coat & avoiding eye area. Try using a brush to apply, and choose a mask that’s right for your skin type. There are many ingredients in your kitchen, like strawberries, yogurt, eggs and avocado that can be used for single ingredient masks. Relax for 15 minutes with cold chamomile tea bags, or slices of cucumber over eyelids.
4. Remove mask, rinsing with warm water, and pat dry.
5. Steam your face to clean pores. If you don’t have a facial steamer, a large bowl can be used. Pour boiling water over a handful of herbs. I’ve used chamomile, but you can also use lavender, mint, or other herbs from your garden. Lean over the bowl with a large towel covering your head for 10 - 15 minutes to open pores. Then rinse thoroughly, starting with warm and moving to cool water to close the pores.
6. Massage your favorite moisturizer into skin.

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