Pamper yourself with this DIY home spa

Rest and relaxation are essential parts of your well-being. Taking the time to look after your skin can make you feel and look better. Pampering yourself with luxurious homemade skin care products is a great way to unwind with the added benefit of nourishing your body. Make these do-it-yourself home spa products as fun projects with your children or for yourself.

Sugar and Cinnamon Exfoliator

¾ cup of brown sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder OR about 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil

¼ cup of cold-pressed virgin olive or vitamin E oil

1 ½ tablespoons of honey

Combine the sugar and cinnamon powder well. Gradually mix in olive/vitamin E oil and other essential oil if necessary. Finally, blend honey into the mixture and store in an airtight glass container. To use, gently scrub in a circular motion over damp skin.

Try this recipe with ground coffee instead of cinnamon powder or skip the powder all together and use the essential oil of your choice.

Soothing Face Mask

3 tablespoons of plain yogurt

1 teaspoon of honey

1 drop of lavender essential oil OR ½ teaspoon ground lavender flowers

Lavender grows all around Johannesburg’s Northern suburbs. Pick a few sprigs of your garden plant and allow to dry for three days. Grind flowers with a mortar or back of a spoon then mix all ingredients together. Smooth over damp skin and leave on to dry, between 10-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow up with moisturizer.

Coconut Oil Cream

For a luxurious hand and body cream, mix 1 part coconut oil with 1 part cocoa or shea butter and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. You can also try this recipe with vanilla beans, lavender flowers or rose petals.