Natural Spa Products

Think you need a lot of money to pamper yourself? Think again. Sure, it’s nice to be pampered by professionals at a luxury spa, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it at home, too. Besides, a lot of the products they use in spas are synthetic, which means they’re not all that good for you. If you want an authentic spa experience that actually works, try going natural.

Natural spa products don’t have to be expensive; in fact, there are probably some lying around your house. And they work just as well—and sometimes even better—than most commercially made treatments. With just a few key ingredients, you can create your own luxury spa at home—at virtually no cost. Here’s how.

Get natural: skin care

About half of your time in a spa is spent pampering your skin, so the biggest savings come from getting natural skin care products. A lot of these you can find in your kitchen, but make sure they’re all fresh and have little or no chemical content. Here are some you can try:

Honey. Honey contains natural antioxidants which flush out disease-causing chemicals in your body. It also has antimicrobial, moisturizing, and sun protection properties, which make it a good choice for sensitive skin. It also seems to have anti-ageing effects, although this has yet to be proven. A mixture of equal parts water and honey makes a good facial wash.

Tea tree oil. This is often recommended for people with recurring skin problems, such as acne and fungal infections. It’s as potent as most commercial antiseptics, but doesn’t have the irritative or abrasive effect they tend to have on the skin. The cool scent of tea tree oil also sets a refreshing mood for aromatherapy sessions.

Jojoba. Jojoba oil is a popular moisturizer and skin softener. It’s easily absorbed by the skin, so it won’t block your pores as most moisturizers seem to do.  It works well on extremely dry and wrinkled skin, which is easily irritated by chemical moisturizers. It’s also great for removing eye makeup, as the eyelids are very delicate.

Lavender. This has been a staple in aromatherapy for years, and for good reason. Lavender oil is known to have powerful calming and anti-stress effects. It is also an effective antidepressant, so you’re sure to leave your session in a light, cheerful mood. As a skin product, it helps rejuvenate your pores, soothe burns, and moisturize your skin.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal works as an exfoliant, gently removing dead skin cells to reveal the layer of young skin underneath. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which makes it ideal for acne sufferers. Make a home oatmeal pack with ground oatmeal, rose water, egg-white, and mashed bananas. Massage onto your skin evenly, then rinse off.

Know your labels

The word “natural” is grossly overused on supermarket shelves. Sometimes it simply means it contains a tiny amount of natural product and a great deal of harsh chemicals and preservatives. Besides, the fact that it’s on the shelf means that it’s gone through at least a bit of processing. Read the finer text and look for words with more substance. These include plant-based, organic, and cold processed. Cold processed means it was subjected to as little heat as possible, so that the plant’s botanical properties are still largely intact. If you’re really into the “natural” movement, also make sure it doesn’t contain any bleach and hasn’t been tested on animals.

Setting the mood

You can also set the right mood for your home spa with natural ingredients. Instead of buying scented candles, work some aromatherapy into your session and get some essential oils instead. Lavender and jasmine are very relaxing and perfectly suit the occasion. If you can, set up a couple of speakers and play some soothing music. Dim the lights and soak in a tub. The idea is to stimulate all your senses and leave you relaxed all over.