A facial is a family of skin care treatments for the face, including cleanse, steam, exfoliation, extraction, creams, lotions, facial masks, peels, and massage. They are normally performed in beauty salons, but are also a common spa treatment that you can do at home.

REFRESH YOUR SKIN WITH THIS SPRING 3-STEP FACIAL SPA

New season, new skin-care regimen. And since spring skin is probably on your mind, given that the official start to the season is just around the corner. There's no better time than the present to start prepping your complexion for the impending (and highly welcomed) rising temps and sticky, heavy humidity that lies ahead. This at-home 3-step facial will soothe skin while awakening and exfoliating skin cells at the same time.

Skin care specialists recommend that people have a professional facial about every three to four weeks. That's how long it takes your skin to move through the full life cycle of skin cell growth and exfoliation. A facial helps that process along. The treatment will keep your skin clean, clear, and toned.

I Carmen Nunez owner founder of The Organic For You like to perform a facial spa at home using all natural ingredients for my dry mature skin. Cucumber and sage are my favorite bases for my facial recipes.

Cucumber’s high water content and soothing properties calm parched skin, while sage is high in antioxidants and gives you a radiant glow.

*If you are an acne suffer a facial spa is not going to improve your wrinkles. Or get rid of your acne. The extractions might help, but they could just as easily make things worse. Frankly, if you're getting facials for anything other than a short-term glow and relaxation, you're better off going to a dermatologist.

Step 1: CLEANSE> You will wrap your hair in a headband or a towel and remove any makeup that you may be wearing. You can rub a cream or jell based cleanser onto your face and neck and use cotton pads, cloths, and warm water to remove the cleanser. Once your face is completely clean, you are ready for the next step.

Step 2: STEAM>This is where the fun stuff starts. Warm steam will be applied to your face using either a heated, moist towel or a machine that gently directs a layer of steam to your face. The warm steam is extremely relaxing and loosens up the muscles in your face. Make sure the water is not too hot, and likewise make sure you don't get your face too close. The goal here is a warm, gentle steaming to moisturize your skin, open up pores and soften blackheads.

Sage Facial Steam

After bringing a pot of water to a boil add:

A handful of sage leaves
1 drop of frankincense or clary sage essential oil

Transfer to a heat safe bowl and place on flat countertop. Immediately drape a towel over your face, shoulders, and bowl, keeping your face about 10-18 inches from the steam.

Enjoy 5-10 minutes of steam and then follow with Step 4.

Step 3: SCRUB> This step is essential for keeping your skin radiant, smooth, and healthy. The scrubbing process can take place before, after, or during the steam. a gel, cream, mask scrub based, will usually be applied before or after the steam. These products need to be left on your face to treat blackheads. Scrubbing products that involve exfoliation or massage techniques can usually be used during the steam step.

Cucumber Face Scrub

2 tablespoons plain sugar-free yogurt
2 tablespoons pureed cucumber
2 tablespoons oatmeal
1 teaspoon chopped sage

Combine all ingredients and gently massage into clean skin in circular motions for several minutes. Gently remove with a warm towel.

Step 4: TONE> Spritzing the skin with the appropriate toner for your skin type and skin concerns balances the pH of the skin and maximizes absorption of the key ingredients of whichever mask you will apply next. A Toner before face scrubbing and before mask. All treatment masks work best when applied to skin that has been prepped properly. ... Not only that, but using toner before a face mask can help soothe irritated skin, rid the skin of excess impurities and oil, prevent premature aging and more.

Place a bag of green, red, black or white tea in 1 cup of water and simmer until reduced to half of the original volume. Place in refrigerator overnight with a slice of cucumber and orange. Toner will be ready in the morning.

Step 5: MASK>A mask physically covers the skin, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate and quickly draw out impurities, tighten, hydrate, and/or brighten.

Cucumber Mask

cucumber
2 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
½ teaspoon carrot seed oil

Blend all ingredients until creamy. Apply with facial brush or fingertips all over the face, neck, and eye area. Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes before washing off with warm water. Follow with moisturizer or serum.

Step 6: Moisturize, Moisturize> For me it’s crucial to moisturize after masking, but adding a spritz of toner after masking is an often overlooked step. Moisturizing reduces the chances of skin problems. Using the right kind of moisturizer for your skin can help maintain its balance. It’s the perfect end after a facial spa. Taking just a minute to put on some moisturizer will make sure your skin isn’t only clean, but protected from the stresses of the day and feeling great.

Exotic Facial Oil

a moisturizer for Mature Skin

1 tablespoon extra virgin oil

1 tablespoon jojoba oil

1 teaspoon argan oil

1 teaspoon rosehip seed oil

Rose hip seed oil is one of my favorite oils for my skin. It is good for dry, aging skin because it is deeply nourishing and regenerating. It is known for it’s firming properties. Rose hip seed oil is high in essential fatty acids and softens and smooths out the skin beautifully. It improves the texture of your skin and calms redness and inflammation.

5 drops of Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and prevents the facial oil from going rancid.

1 drop of each of the following essential oils . . .

carrot seed essential oil

Frankincense essential oil

Frankincense essential oil is a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks. It has cleansing benefits to the skin, making it ideal for blemish-prone skin. It is also a natural toner, decreasing the appearance of pores and evening skin-tone.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. It helps lighten the appearance of age spots and scars. It is wonderful for all skin types.

Patchouli essential Oil

Patchouli essential oil is especially beneficial for aging skin. It is used to reduce wrinkled or chapped appearance. It promotes new cell growth and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

myrrh essential oil

Myrrh is a very powerful essential oil from ancient times. The Arabian people used myrrh for many skin conditions, such as chapped skin and wrinkles. It is full of antioxidants, making it protective against aging skin.

TO USE

Gently massage to your face and neck using small, soft upward strokes

before bed. Because it is a dry oil that absorbs quickly, you can also apply it in the morning if desired.

*Store bottle in a cool, dark place should last about three month.