November Mask of the Month: The Great Pumpkin!

Halloween has passed, but the beautiful gourds still linger! I am a huge fan of this time of year for many reasons, but one of them is pumpkin pie (cold, right out of the fridge topped with my husband's homemade whipped cream). Yum! I could eat it all day long and still go back for more! This quick, easy mask is the next best thing to having pumpkin in your belly and will leave you with that warm, fuzzy Holiday feeling.

Pumpkin is loaded with antioxidants, enzymes and nutrients and has an action on the skin that is both exfoliating and anti-aging. The addition of the warming pumpkin pie spices helps to rev up a sluggish complexion and give you a wonderful pre-holiday glow!

Are you a fan of pumpkin pie, too? Post a link in the comments section to your favorite recipe!

The Great Pumpkin Mask

2T Canned Pumpkin (or you can use fresh cooked or fresh raw well-blended pumpkin)
A squirt of honey (yes, I use honey in everything! LOL!)
A small pinch each of the following spices:

• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• allspice
• ginger

Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl. Apply to freshly cleansed skin and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and finish with your favorite toner and moisturizer.

NOTE: This mask is not recommended for those with ultra-sensitive skin or skin that is easily inflamed (rosacea, etc.) due to the addition of the spices. You can always leave them out, using just the pumpkin and honey and you will still reap the benefits of this mask :)

Your Well-Stocked Skin Care Pantry (Part I) - The Basics

This is not my pantry. It is not this organized!

This post is the first in a series about stocking your skin care pantry at home, so that you have all of the ingredients you need at your fingertips for both daily skin care and specific skin care concerns. While it is nice to have your favorite packaged skin care products on hand, some of the most effective skin care is probably already in your kitchen.
The following is a list of the basic items to begin to build your skin care larder. Having these items on hand will allow you to make several basic, inexpensive skin care products right at home. You can even buy many of these in bulk to make them even more cost-effective.

• Honey (I prefer raw honey as it contains better antibacterial properties)
• Oatmeal
• Almonds
• Cocoa (powdered - the dark chocolate variety contains more antioxidants)
• Plain Yogurt (I love the Greek kind. It has such a lovely, creamy texture)
• Cream
• Buttermilk (either fresh or the powdered variety you can find in the baking aisle)
• Olive Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed)
• Chamomile Tea (either bags or loose leaf)
• Green Tea (either bags or loose leaf)

In addition to these ingredients, the fresh fruits and vegetables that you already have on hand can also be used in skin care preparations. Just be sure they are still fresh with no mold or bruising.
Here are a few skin care recipes you can create right now with these basic ingredients!!!

Yogurt Cleanser
This cleanser is great for oily skin. If you have dry skin, simply omit the lemon juice.

1T Plain Yogurt
Juice of Half a Lemon

Blend ingredients together. Apply to damp skin in a circular motion. Remove with a warm, damp cloth. Refrigerate cleanser in a covered container and use within 1 day.

Honey Nut Facial Scrub
This scrub is great for any skin type, except for skin with active acne as it can irritate breakouts. The oatmeal and almonds exfoliate, while the honey helps to moisturize.

1 T Oatmeal
1T Almonds
Honey

Grind the almonds and oatmeal in either a blender, food processor or coffee grinder until very fine (I prefer the coffee grinder. I keep an inexpensive one just for the purpose of grinding ingredients). Take 1t of powder and add enough honey to form a paste. Mix paste with a bit of warm water and apply to damp, cleansed skin. Rub GENTLY (treat your skin like a butterfly wing) in circular motions for 1 minute, avoiding the eye area. Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 1 day. The remaining dry oatmeal/almond blend can be kept covered in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Green Tea Toner
This is a nice, refreshing toner that is great for oily skin. If you have normal to dry or sensitive skin, simply omit the lemon juice.

1/4 cup Brewed Green Tea
1t Apple Cider Vinegar
Juice of Half a Lemon

Combine ingredients in a small spray bottle to refresh skin after cleansing and throughout the day. Keep refrigerated and use within 3 days.

Soothing Sensitive Skin Mini-Facial
 This treatment is wonderful for soothing sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.

1T Oatmeal
1T Yogurt
Brewed Chamomile Tea
Olive Oil

Grind the oatmeal in either a blender, food processor or coffee grinder until very fine. Add the yogurt and enough chamomile tea to make a spreadable mask. Apply to gently cleansed skin (avoiding the eye area) and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off gently with a warm, damp cloth. Soak a cotton pad in the remaining chamomile tea and gently swipe over face. While skin is still damp, apply 1-2 drops of olive oil to your fingertip and gently spread onto your facial skin.

Chamomile Bath Tea
This oatmeal and chamomile blend is softening and soothing to itchy, dry skin. It is also great for babies and children. You can adjust the amount of ingredients to your liking.

1/2c Oatmeal
Chamomile Tea (either 2T loose leaf or 2 tea bags)

Place ingredients in the foot of clean, old stockings, a muslin bag or several layers of cheesecloth. Tie the top closed and place under warm to hot running bath water.

These are just a few recipes that can be created with the above ingredients. Don't be afraid to experiment! Get creative and have fun! Let me know in the comments section how you have used the basic ingredients and I will add a bonus recipe to your post!

Stay tuned for Your Well-Stocked Skin Care Pantry (Part II) - Earthy Additions!