Please welcome today’s guest poster, Bailey Harris.

Spa treatments can sometimes sound inviting until you consider the cost and the fact that most spa products are filled with unpronounceable ingredients. Who wants to put synthetic chemicals or toxic preservatives on their skin? Fortunately, it is extremely easy to make your own natural spa products at home. For just a few dollars and a minimal amount of ingredients, you can make creams, scrubs, oil treatments, body wraps, and more.

Dry Skin Treatment

Mash one cooked (and cooled) artichoke in a large bowl. Stir in 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Continue to mix the ingredients until you have a smooth paste. Rub the paste on your face, neck, legs, heels, or any other area of skin that is dry and flaky. Do not get the mix into your eyes. Rinse off with warm water 10 to 15 minutes later. Your skin should feel softer and suppler. 

Skin Tightening Cream

Mash one medium banana in a bowl. Spread the mixture all over your face, taking care not to get it in your eyes. Rinse off with cool water 20 minutes later. Your skin should feel tighter and you will see fewer wrinkles.

Body Scrub

Stir 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of olive oil or almond oil until you have achieved a paste-like mixture. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into a glass jar with a tight fitting top. Massage the mixture into your skin while showering, taking care not to get it into your eyes. This scrub will exfoliate and soften dry skin. Any excess sugar scrub can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Herbal Body Wrap

Boil 8 cups of water in a large saucepan. Shut off the heat and place 4 chamomile tea bags and four peppermint tea bags into the water. Cover the saucepan and let the herbs steep for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Let the tea cool to a comfortable temperature. Soak several small hand towels into the mixture. (Use older towels as the tea may stain them.) Wring the towels out and wrap them around your arms, legs, feet, hands, and torso. Do not put a towel on your face–the peppermint may sting your eyes. Leave the towels on for 15 to 20 minutes. Unwrap the towels and rinse yourself off in the shower. You should feel relaxed and rejuvenated afterward.

Hot Oil Hand Treatment

Microwave 2 tablespoons of olive oil on high for five seconds or until the oil is warm but not too hot. Stir in 1 drop of lavender essential oil. Massage the entire mixture into your hands, taking time to run it on your palms, knuckles, fingers, and cuticles. Cover each hand with a clean plastic bag and wrap one hand towel over each bag. Keep your hands still for five minutes. Remove the towels and bags and rinse your hands. Your skin should feel soft and smooth.

Foot Cream

Mix 1 ounce of grated beeswax with 3/4 cup of almond oil in a double boiler. Cook and stir until the beeswax is melted. Pour the warm mixture into a sterilized glass jar with a tight fitting top. Allow the mixture to cool before applying it to skin. This cream is excellent for dry, cracked feet.

Massage Oil

Mix 8 teaspoons of sesame oil or almond oil with 8 drops of lavender essential oil. Heat the mixture until it is warm–do not make it too hot–and gently massage the oil into skin. Your skin should feel suppler and rejuvenated afterward. Frequent lavender oil massages may also reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes for www.healthinsurancequotes.org, a health insurance blog.