It's Steaming Day!

Use a facial steam to clear your complexion, mosturize and renew your skin.

Basic Herbal Facial Steam Recipe:

1 quart water

1 large handful of herbs (chosen to suit your skin's needs)

5 drops of essential oils (chosen for your skin's needs) (optional)

Bring water to a boil in a 2 quart sauce pan, remove from heat and throw in your herbs and cover for 5-10 minutes. Remove lid, add your essential oils and hover over the pot with a towel draped over your head to keep the steam from escaping. Steam your face for 10 minutes.

How to chose the herbs right for you:

Most skin types can combine Lavendar, Rose and Chamomile for cleansing properties, rejuvenation, reduce puffiness or irritations and calming

Normal skin:

Calendula, Rose petals and Lavender

Essential oils (pick 1 or 2):Lavendar,Rose or Geranium

Dry skin:

*Dry skin can be sensitive so let the steam cool a little before starting and only steam face for 5 mins.

Red clover flowers, Rose petals, Elder flowers and St John's Wort or Comfrey Leaves

Essential Oils(pick 1 or 2): Cypress,Patchouli,Rosemary, Ylang-ylang or Sandalwood

Oily skin:

Yarrow or Witch hazel with Lavender and Rose

Essential Oils(pick 1 or 2):Normalizing: Basil, Eucalyptus,Rosmary or Ylang-ylang

To slow down oil production: Sage or Lemongrass

Good all around: Geranium or rose

Combination skin:

Calendula, lavender and rose

Essential oils: Geranium or lavender

Mature skin:

Marshmallow or Comfrey, and Gotu Kola

Essential Oils(pick 1 or 2): Anti-aging: Lavender, Geranium or Rose

Rejuvenate: Jasmine, Frankincense or myrrh

Dryness: Rose hip seed oil

Acne:

Red clover flowers or licorice root and strawberry leaves

Essential Oils(Pick 1 or 2): Antiseptic: Spike lavender,Eucalyptus or Sage

If you have dryness alone with acne: Rosemary or Tea Tree

Healing: Lavender,Geranium or Rosemary

Wrinkles:

Lavender may help slow wrinkles

Enjoy!

Tips:

*you can find dried herbs at any natural foods store however specialty herbal stores may have more variety. In the Denver Area to of my go-to spots are Vitamin Cottage and Artemisia and Rue

*Keep in mind that your skin type and needs may change throughout the year

*Your skin should feel refreshed and moisterized afterward. If it feels tight or irritated the heat may be too intense or herb choses may irritate your skin. If you wish to try again let the water cool a little first or try a shorter duration.

* Once a week is appropriate for almost all skin types you can alter the frequency based on your needs anywhere from once every couple of weeks to twice a week.