Natural Face Masks - Using Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
The beneficial effects of face masks are many. They can nourish, rejuvenate and stimulate; refine, cleanse and peel off the outer skin layer, soothe and calm inflammation; clear acne, loosen blackheads; act As an anti-wrinkle treatment and natural face-lift. In all cases, a face mask improves the colour and tone of a face. The active ingredients of face masks can be contained in all sorts of materials. There are those that dry as hard as board and crack if you smile, there are gels and creams that are as soft as night cream, and a whole range of textures hot or cold. You can use practically any fruit or vegetable in a face mask, and many other edible substances. These days a popular basis of commercial face masks is made from beef, the idea being that the collagen and elastin from the meat fibres will be absorbed into the skin, although there is no proof that this method works.
Floral Waters and Face Masks
Flower waters can be used to blend dry ingredients, although I much prefer to use plain spring water as the moisturising agent plus the essential oils for their therapeutic values, all in a suitable medium. Essential oil face masks have long been used in expensive clinics and face preparations alike, and you can use any essential oil provided that it is suitable for your skin type. The merits of using just one essential oil are many, but if you use a blend of oils, make it a synergistic blend — that is, blended beforehand so that the ingredients have a chance to get together and energise each other. The following basic recipes can be adapted to accommodate your chosen essential oils, but do read the whole section before deciding which particular base mediums would be most suitable to your skin type.
Other Ingredients for Essential Oil Face Masks
You can substitute floral water or herbal infusions for plain water used in the making of face masks. Commercial floral waters are the by-products of distillation. If you decide to make a lavender face mask either gel or clay - you could use a lavender infusion to make the base. Put a handful of lavender flowers in 100ml of boiling water and leave to cool, then strain and use the liquid as you would. Use the water in the recipe.
All the following ingredients can be incorporated into day face masks or gels.
Rosewater: toning and soothing
Neroli/Orange Flora water: stimulating and toning
Witch-hazel: can be drying; an astringent
Marigold infusion: moisturising and soothing effect
Lecithin: high in natural fatty acids and good for all skin types; also moisturising
Nettle infusion: soothing and antiseptic
Yarrow infusion: anti-inflammatory
Aloe vera: contains.a healing agent; soothing and calming
Chamomile infusion: anti-irritant and soothing
Fennel infusion: anti-wrinkle
Honey: soothing, healing, moisturising
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