BODY MASKS

Full body masks provide cleansing, detoxifying and rejuvenating benefits to skin. While we spend a lot of attention on facial skincare, body skin is often neglected or overlooked. Body skin deserved assistance in shedding flaky, dead skin cells, alleviating dry and rough patches, restoring moisture balance and encouraging a fresh, youthful appearance.

Frequent dry brushing, scrubs, bathing and massages are a good adjunct to these dull body masks made with clays and other natural ingredients.

While clay and mud body masks suit normal to oily skin types, nourishing and moisturizing masks can also be made to improve dry or dehydrated skin. In place of clay, these body masks use honey, eggs, cream and other foods rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Have fun creating your own at home!

To get started, select a recipe and mix up enough for one session. Take a quick warm bath or shower. Then, using your hands or an inexpensive bristle paintbrush, cover yourself with the mask mixture from head to toe. Use an old sheet to cover a comfy place to lie down for 15-20 minutes while the mask dries. Then rinse off in the shower, first with warm water, then with cool. Pat yourself dry and see how soft and rejuvenated your skin feels!!

LAVENDER AND SAGE PURIFYING CLAY BODY MASK
This body mask combines deep-cleansing, mineral-rich sea clay, live yogurt, honey and therapeutic essential oils of French lavender and Spanish sage to create a powerful 'spring cleaning' effect. Be sure to drink lots of cool mineral or spring water during and after this full body treatment.

• 1/2 cup (4oz) sea clay powder
• 1 cup (8oz) cultured, unflavoured yogurt
• 2 tbsp unpasteurized honey
• 1 tsp (5ml) evening primrose oil
• 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
• 25 drops French lavender Pure Essential Oil
• 25 drops Spanish sage Pure Essential Oil

Mix the yogurt, honey, evening primrose oil, Vitamin E and essential oils together in a glass or ceramic bowl until thoroughly blended. Add the sea clay powder one teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency for your skin type. Follow the directions given above for applying the body mask. After showering, dry your skin and apply a light mosturizer.

NOURISHING MILK AND HONEY BODY MASK
This nutritious mask uses raw unpasteurized honey and protein rich milk and eggs. Fragrant essential oils, brandy vanilla and vitamins give this body mask an exquisite rich aroma.

• 4 oz (120ml) warmed honey
• 2 oz (60ml) cream
• 1 egg
• 1/2 oz (15ml) brandy
• 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
• 20 drops vanilla oleoresin
• 20 drops bitter orange Pure Essential Oil
• 10 drops ylang-ylang Pure Essential Oil

Warm the honey by placing the uncapped glass jar in a pot of boiled water. Pour the honey into a glass bowl and add the other ingredients. When the mixture is smooth, apply to your skin with your hands or a paintbrush. Lie down and relax for 20-30 minutes, covering yourself with an old sheet or blanket to retain body heat while the ingredients moisturize and nourish. Afterwards, shower well and pat yourself dry with a towel.