Time for Some Home-Facial Fun!

As mums, I’m pretty certain that we can all relate to not having much (or any) time to ourselves. We are so busy looking after the kids, and when the children are not in our hands either for school or due to bedtime, we are still doing children related chores, cleaning, washing the clothes, drying, ironing, making dinner, cleaning the kitchen…you get my drift, the list is endless! So, even considering to have some kind of ‘me-time’ is rare. Most importantly, when you have children, you are often strapped for cash as the bills are never ending therefore buying beauty products on a regular basis is not realistic.

Nevertheless, the combination of a lack of sleep and a stressful and busy routine means that we are left with very dull and blotchy looking skin which also has an impact on our self-confidence. This means that undertaking some kind of treatment for our skin is vital.

So, instead of spending a fortune on beauty products, wasting time in drug stores and spending hard earned cash on facials and procedures, you can simply just delve into your kitchen cupboards and whip up some quick and simple home-made facial recipes. And let’s face it, store bought facials tend to have horrible chemicals and substances that can, quite frankly, do more harm than good.

Treat yourself – you deserve it!

Ideas to ensure you are making time for your skin:

1. Why not make a day of it, get your parents or partner to look after the children for the night or day, and invite your girlfriends for a home spa day! Make your own facials together, have some indulgent junk food (yes you are allowed on this one occasion!) and a few naughty alcoholic beverages. It’s a great way to catch up with friends and to have a pampering session too!
2. You could ask the kids to help make your face masks, they are bound to enjoy manually grinding and mushing up the ingredients! If you have girls you could even have a mother and daughter spa day! Either way, make some time to give your skin the attention it deserves.
3. Make it a frequent event! You could organise a Spa Saturday once a month, or even a facial Friday every other week to ensure that your skin is looked after regularly.

Here are my favourite facial recipes:

Oatmeal and Onion facial

Ingredient	Benefits
Oatmeal	Known for its natural absorbing and cleansing properties.
	Natural remedy for Acne, is a great skin moisturiser and also helps in improving overall skin tone
Onion	Known for treatment of Acne due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties
	Helps skin glow

 If you are looking for an effective facial that will leave your skin looking sublime, then this is the one for you! It’s inevitable that you will find both oats and onions in your kitchen (and if you don’t, well it’s time to go for a food shop!). Puree one medium peeled onion in a food processor and add it to half a cup of plain cooked oatmeal. Using this on a weekly basis will ensure to clear your skin of any unwanted spot scars.

Clay and milk face mask

Ingredients	Benefits
Clay	Soaks up traces of dirt, harmful toxins and oil making it the ultimate cleanser
	Helps stimulate circulation to skin
Milk	Milk has many vitamins and nutrients that can help moisturize and cleanse skin
	Aids in effectively exfoliating skin cells, regulating skin tone and smooth out fine lines/wrinkles

 If your skin needs the ultimate cleanse then it this is the perfect face mask for you. By simply mixing 3 parts clay to 1 part milk (ensuring that the mixture is not too runny but also not too thick and chunky), you will be able to create a salon-worthy facial. Remember ensure not to leave the mask on for too long otherwise it will absorb all of the moisture from your face leaving it dry and irritable.

Tips for application:

• Make sure all hair is away from your face, tying your hair in a bun would be best
• Cut two slices of cucumber to put on your eyes and avoid getting the mask/facial near eyes, ears and mouth.
• Exfoliate beforehand to remove dead cells
• Steam your face to open up your pores to ensure a deeper cleanse when treating your skin
• If using a clay mask, ensure to not let it dry fully as it can draw out all the moisture on your face

 Do you have a favourite DIY facial recipe that ticks all of the boxes?

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