On a cold rainy day, not much can get me unwrapped from my blanket while I sit on the couch. Today I’m listening to the howling wind, the over-active wind chimes, and the rain hitting on the window. (And the cracking trees in the way-back back yard) And I’m cold: wishing for warm weather like we had yesterday, bright sun-filled and cozy. Days like today are perfect for a rainy day treat – like taking a bath, with bath fizzies and a treat-yourself facial.

First lets talk about what oils to use for different skin types. Want to know something cool? You don’t have to worry about mixing different oils, not having the right ingredients, or following a DIY recipe exactly. Work with what you have and what your skin loves. A few guidelines/suggestions to start with are these:

  • Normal: Lavender, Frankincense, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Geranium, Rose, Neroli
  • Oily: Tea Tree, Myrrh, Progessence Plus, Cedarwood, Geranium, Lavender
  • Combination: Cedarwood, Geranium, Lavender, Myrrh, Sandalwood
  • Dry: Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense
  • Mature: Clary Sage, Neroli, Palmarosa, Rose
  • Sensitive: Melrose, Frankincense, Lavender, Tea Tree, Palmarosa

Below are some recipes to make your treat-yourself facial. (Note: some of the ingredients have affiliate links.) Feel free to tweak the recipe according to what you have on hand, what your skin type is, or what scent you want today. Then sit back in the tub, close your eyes, and soak in the heat of the water. (if the kids bang on the door, just tell them you’re pooping, and its stinky. they’ll leave pretty quickly!)

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL MASK
This activated charcoal mask is deeply cleansing and purifying. The activated charcoal can help to minimize the appearance of pores, remove oils and debris, and may even help to reduce the appearance of acne. The bentonite clay helps to unclog, shrink the appearance of pores, and can reduce the overproduction of oil and sebum on the skin. It’s a great addition in a mask for oily skin.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup water
1/8 cup bentonite clay
1/8 cup activated charcoal
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
(or essential oils particular to your skin type)

INSTRUCTIONS
In a glass or stainless steel medium bowl, put all the dry ingredients in first and SLOWLY mix all the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. This mask can make a mess if you mix too fast! And in my experience, the charcoal is a pain to clean up.

Stir slowly until you achieve a paste-like consistency, then apply mask to face, and allow to dry. Rinse with water and a wash cloth. Use once per week.

Recipe from https://lindseyelmore.com/activated-charcoal-mask/

GODDESS MASK
Give this recipe a try for glowing, radiant skin! Raw honey is naturally antibacterial, and a natural exfoliator, as well as being moisturizing and full of antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar can help restore the natural pH level of the skin and its delicate acid mantle. This can help prevent moisture loss which in turn can keep the skin healthy and shiny. In addition to benefits already discussed, betonite clay has a gentle exfoliating effect that can brighten the skin. This gentle exfoliation can help to even out the skin tone and encourage the growth of new skin.

INGREDIENTS
1 tblsp each of betonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and raw honey.
(If you cant find local raw honey from a farms stand near you, this is a brand I highly recommend.)
5-6 drops of essential oils – see above for those particular to your skin type

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix together all the ingredients, add just enough water slowly to make a paste. Apply mask to face, and then allow to dry. Rinse with water and a wash cloth.

ADD ON’S for extra boosting power
A few ‘add-on’s’ you can do with the Goddess Mask is to add in a capsule of one of Young Livings supplements; either the MultiGreens or Sulfurzyme supplements are great to include in the Goddess mask.

MultiGreens is a supplement that combines spirulina, alfalfa sprouts, barley grass, bee pollen, pacific kelp, and other greens. It’s also a great source of amino acids and antioxidants.

The Sulfurzyme capsule supplement is composed of two main ingredients — MSM and powdered NingXia wolfberry (a kind of goji berry). MSM can help lower toxin-induced cellular stress, can assist with collagen production, and has been shown to help boost keratin levels, repairing the skin. NingXia wolfberry fruits contain many vitamins, in particular riboflavin, thiamin and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), the latter in a concentration similar to that in lemons. (wikipedia, chemistry section)

REJUVENATING FACE MASK
This recipe used egg whites and raw honey for a rich, rejuvenating face mask you are bound to love! Egg whites can help tighten and firm, absorb excess oil from the skin, help close pores, get rid of blackheads & build up, and contains vitamins and minerals that can benefit the skin’s overall appearance.

INGREDIENTS
1 egg white
1 Tbsp raw honey
1 drop ylang ylang essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop frankincense essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the ingredients together, apply to face, and let sit for a while. Rinse with water and a wash cloth. Use once per week.