How to Make Your Own Vegan Spa Products
Guest post from Bailey Harris.
If you have ever been to a spa, you know it can be a great, relaxing experience. On the other hand, it can be very expensive. If you are a vegan, finding a spa that uses only vegan products can be quite tedious, and it may cost you even more money. Fortunately, it’s possible to make your own vegan spa products, using ingredients that you may have on hand. You can save money by bringing the spa experience to your very own home.
Facial Scrubs
Facial scrubs exfoliate your skin, leaving it with a beautiful glow. You can create your own vegan facial scrub using a recipe that consists of 1/4 cup finely ground oatmeal, 1/4 cup rice flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and 1/2 of a mashed banana. Just combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until a smooth paste is formed. Apply to your face and neck using circular motions. Rinse well after massaging for a few minutes. You should make this scrub fresh each time you wish to use it, as banana will spoil quite quickly. You can also make a larger batch of this scrub and use it on your entire body.
Another recipe for a vegan facial scrub uses 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup sweet almond oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Combine all ingredients, mix well, and store in a tightly-lidded jar. Massage into your face and neck for a few minutes, and then rinse well with lukewarm water. Use any leftover scrub within a week. Sugar is a great exfoliant that will remove dead skin cells and leave your skin smooth and soft. This recipe can also be used as an effective body scrub.
A very simple vegan facial scrub can be made by mixing 4 tablespoons cornmeal with 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. The acid in vinegar makes it a great skin brightener, while the cornmeal sloughs away dead skin cells. Your skin will look amazing after using this mixture.
Facial Masks
Facial masks can be very beneficial to your skin. Many different vegan facial mask recipes exist, and the one you choose will depend on your skin’s needs. A vegan facial mask recipe for normal to dry skin types uses 1/2 of a ripe avocado, 1 carrot, and 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Peel and cook the carrot until soft. Meanwhile, peel the avocado and remove the pit. Place the cooked carrot and 1/2 of the avocado in a blender or food processor. Add the olive oil and blend until smooth. Apply to your face, leave on for 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. This mask nourishes skin and adds moisture.
If you have oily skin, you will need a mask that has purifying capabilities. A good recipe for oily skin uses 1/2 of a ripe tomato, 1 tablespoon oatmeal, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until uniform in appearance. Smooth onto face and neck and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Both tomatoes and lemon juice are natural astringents and will dissolve excess oil, leaving skin clear and smooth.
Foot Soaks
Chances are your feet are one of the most neglected parts on your body. You might not pay much attention to them until summer comes along and it’s time to wear cute sandals. You then realize they are dry, cracked and in need of desperate attention. A foot soak will soften rough, dry skin and prepare it for a quality foot scrub. You can easily make a vegan foot soak using one gallon of water, 5 drops lavender essential oil, and 1/2 cup sea or Epsom salt. Boil the water and let it cool for a few minutes. Pour it into a large bowl or basin, making sure it is large enough for your feet to fit. Add the lavender oil and salt and mix until salt is dissolved. Soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes. This soak smells great and will relax tired, sore feet.
An energizing, refreshing vegan foot soak can be made by combining one gallon of water, 3 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil, and 1 drop lemon essential oil. Boil the water and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Pour it into a bowl or basin that is large enough for your feet. Add the oils and stir well. Soak your feet for as long as you like. This soak has an energizing scent that will refresh feet and invigorate the senses.
Foot Scrubs
After a foot soak, your feet will really benefit from a foot scrub. It will remove all the rough, dry skin cells that were softened during the foot soak. You can create your own vegan foot scrub at home using 8 to 10 strawberries, 2 tablespoons apricot kernel oil (sweet almond oil also works well), and one tablespoon coarse sea salt. Mash the strawberries, then combine them with the oil and salt, mixing well. Massage into your feet for a few minutes, focusing on rough patches. Rinse completely and pat dry. Your feet will be very soft, smooth, and ready for your summery sandals.
Another vegan foot scrub recipe combines 4 tablespoons ground coffee (fresh is best), 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 3 tablespoons sea salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 drops lavender essential oil. Mix all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until paste-like. Massage into feet, using circular motions, for a few minutes. Rinse your feet well and pat dry. Your feet will thank you.
After using these recipes to make your own vegan spa products, you will see how easy it is to bring the spa experience into your own home. You will have peace of mind knowing that everything you are using is vegan, and you will save money as well. All and all, it is definitely worth your while to give these recipes a try.
~Bailey Harris
About Sunny (Sunny's Profile)
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there's something in particular you'd like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Google +.Filed in: DIY vegan beauty products
