Girls' Night In

Create an at-home spa retreat to naturally nourish your skin, without breaking the bank.

 

By Melissa Ramos, CNP, RNCP and Nikki Yeh

 

 

Meeting with your closest gal pals at a spa is a great way to find solace from life’s demanding obligations. What if you can’t afford to break the bank for the ultimate pampering indulgence? Find out which ingredients to treat your skin with and you and your BFFs can have an at-home spa retreat, while giving your wallet a bit of a rest.

Why go Au Natural?
Maybe you’ve already heard your friends talk about a natural spa experience, but what exactly makes it natural? First you need to understand how the skin works. The skin’s sebaceous glands produce oil to help keep the skin soft and moist and act as a barrier against foreign substances. With natural ingredients, the skin will have the ability to function at an optimal level.

The Shopping Experience
Luckily you have lots of natural options to make your home spa oh-so-rejuvenating. Consider nourishing creams or gels for your face and body that are loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C is famous in the natural beauty world for stimulating collagen and treating you with supple, elastic skin. Also, check out bath soaks or essential oils that contain chamomile or lavender. Known for their relaxing effects, chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties. The herbaceous scent of lavender is popular for its uplifting effects.

Craving more fun ingredients for your DIY spa? Go ahead and indulge — we’re here to give you the lowdown on what else to include on your shopping list:

• Look for topical products that contain avocado and sweet almond oil, which can help protect your gorgeous skin without clogging pores. To give your whole body the ultimate treatment, massage a few drops of almond oil into your skin after a bath or shower.

• Don’t forget about your beautiful tips — if your chapped hands and fingers are in desperate need of some TLC, consider comfrey salves to aid in rebuilding your skin cells naturally. Historically, this herb has been used for everything from burns to psoriasis.

• Make your home spa lickably yummy — visit your grocery store and pull out the oatmeal and yogurt. Yogurt is a wonderful probiotic option to help soothe red, inflamed skin. Oatmeal is beneficial for exfoliation as it gently scrubs the skin without irritating it. For pennies a pound, oatmeal has been a longtime favourite for breakfast and can now be enjoyed for the next girls’ night in.

To make your home spa even more smooth and successful, talk to a naturopathic doctor or beauty consultant about ingredients and products that do not contain parabens and dimethicones (found in many shampoos and lotions). Parabens — a group of chemicals — are under study as some researchers believe they are linked to hormonal disorders. Dimethicone — a silicone-based oil — is known to retain bacteria and water, which can pave the way for pimples,
bumps and blackheads.

Have Fun!
When looking to take a reprieve from the daily grind of the new year, it’s important to give yourself a pat on the back and treat yourself. Whether it’s food from the kitchen or from your local health shop, you’re sure to find something that fits your distinct needs. Nourishing your mind, body and soul doesn’t have to take much when you take the time to find out more about how these ingredients really work.