From your head to your toes, winter conditions are no fun for your skin. Not only does dry skin look unhealthy, it can be really uncomfortable, too. Did you know that everything you need to save your skin from winter is as close as your pantry or refrigerator? Below are some excellent DIY skin care recipes from Dr. Susan Stuart a board certified dermatologist from La Jolla, California. Avocado Mask An avocado mask is perfect for dry skin that may become very irritated in the winter. It is easy to make: mash the flesh of avocado with a fork, add a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, and apply this smooth, fragrant mixture onto your face. “This nourishing mask will supply your skin with a whole range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and softening agents to fight winter dryness,” says Dr. Stuart. We've also included avocado in our DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment and DIY Avocado Hair & Face Mask. Avocado Oil can be found in A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Salt Scrub, too. Sweet Almond Body Scrub Almonds are packed full of nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy monounsaturated fats. These compounds make them nourishing to your body inside and out. Try this recipe to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. -1 cup brown sugar -1/2 cup almond oil -2 tsp honey -1 tsp pure vanilla extract Mix all ingredients together in a shatter-proof bowl. In the shower or tub, massage the scrub into your skin in circular motions (after washing your skin with soap), concentrating on rough or dry areas of the skin. Rinse with warm water, allowing the residual layer of almond oil to remain on the skin. Pat dry. Chocolate Face Mask Once regarded as a bane to our health, new research has shown that dark chocolate is healthy—and not just to eat. Compounds found in chocolate can actually benefit the skin when applied topically. -1/3 cup cocoa powder -1/4 cup honey -2 Tbsp cream or plain yogurt or sour cream -3 tsp oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking) Place all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry. (I still eat a lot of dark chocolate, though.) Apple Vinegar Foot Soak -1 part apple vinegar -2 parts water Mix ingredients and soak for 30 minutes for hydrating new-like feet. Don't worry about the smell, as it will do wonders for cracked, rough, smelly feet! Static hair - Coconut oil Rub a small amount of coconut oil between the palms of your hand and lightly pat down the top of your head. "Just the tiny bit of moisture will tame fly-aways and hydrate tresses without leaving hair greasy looking," says Dr. Stuart. Rough elbows and heels -Fresh figs -Hardened coconut oil (optional if you choose to make a more aggressive scrub). -Sugar Take ripe figs and mash or blend then in a bowl. Add coconut oil. This mixture will gently exfoliate, as the fig seeds will lightly clean and remove dead skin. According to Dr. Stuart, "Coconut oil is highly nutritious and moisturizing. Make sure the coconut oil is not melted. Place in fridge if you have to solidify, because if you are like me and prefer more exfoliation, add some sugar to this and create a dry scrub. Once this touches your skin, the coconut oil and sugar will melt." Apply while you're in the bath tub or shower and be careful as it may cause a slippery surface. Vanilla Lip Scrub -2 parts sugar -1 part olive oil -vanilla extract to taste This scrub will get rid of rough, dead skin on and around the lips. No one wants chapped lips where you can see the lines under your lip color, so this scrub is perfect! Also see our DIY Lip Scrub recipe. Loved these DIY skin care recipes? Please share them on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

During my two month stay in Bali, a significant amount of time was spent at Amo Spa in Seminyak.  I enjoyed the most amazing spa treatments that I've every experienced and though I have only been back in the US for a week, I am going through serious Amo Spa treatments withdrawal.  I figured the best cure for my withdrawal symptoms was to try to recreate one of my favorite Amo Spa moments at home. One of the many things I loved about Amo Spa was the little luxuries that they took the time to incorporate into their treatments.  One such luxury was the cucumber mask that was always applied to my face during a facial, massage and body scrub.  The cucumber mask consisted of thinly sliced cucumbers sliced lengthwise (not rounds) and left in the refrigerator to cool, then applied directly to the face.  In hot and humid Bali, this cucumber mask was an absolute dream. Cucumbers just so happen to be amazing for the skin.   Cucumbers contain vitamin C, an antioxidant, as well as plenty of vitamin K, also an antioxidant, which fights dark circles under the eyes.  Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B-5, is another compound found in cucumbers that helps your skin retain moisture.  The vitamin A, or retinol, in cucumbers fights dark spots and freckles because it helps control your skin's production of melanin.  Cucumbers are a source of silica, which, as a precursor to collagen, can help fight wrinkles, in addition they have high water content and a cooling quality, making them appropriate to help soothe mild burns, particularly sunburn. They can also reduce swelling and relieve minor skin irritations. Now back in LA where summer is in full swing, the cucumber mask feels just as amazing especially after a day at the beach.  To recreate the Amo Spa mask, I bought some organic cucumbers from Whole Foods, sliced them thinly, placed them in a bowl and left the slices in the fridge overnight.  I then applied the very cool slices to my face the following evening.  I plan on adding some face serum or lemon juice to the slices at some point to mix it up a bit.  This mask is super easy, has amazing benefits and is perfect for your skin during summer.

Yogurt tends to be one of the most versatile foods that I consume on a daily basis.  I will have it with granola and fruits for breakfast, as a post workout snack with a few almonds, in a shake or on its own.  For me it's easy, fast, nutritious, healthy and filling. After all, it is considered a super food, especially if you consume plain unsweetened yogurt. Yogurt also has some amazing skin benefits when used topically. Yogurt contains nutrients such as Lactic Acid, Zinc B Vitamins and Calcium.  Lactic Acid smoothes and exfoliates skin, moisturizes dry skin and is beneficial in preventing wrinkles and reducing existing wrinkles.  Zinc contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation caused by acne. It also helps to tighten tissue and reduces the size of acne and pimples. Zinc also regulates oil production and prevents oily skin and breakouts.  B Vitamins are essential for cell growth and regeneration.  They also protect skin cells from free radical damage.  Calcium is an amazing anti-oxidant that helps to heal skin and also facilitates skin renewal. Plain yogurt can be used in DIY Facials in a variety of ways.  It can be applied on its own to your face to help even out skin tone, fade dark spots over time and tighten the skin around pores therefore minimizing their appearance (you can never truly shrink pores.)  Just apply plain yogurt to your face and décolleté, leave on for about 20 minutes then rinse with cool water. Yogurt can also be combined with honey and oatmeal for a soothing face mask.  The honey is rich in antioxidants which prevent free radical damage, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while softening and moisturizing skin.  The oatmeal exfoliates skin and removes excess sebum and dirt from deep within skin pores.  Just combine equal parts plain yogurt, raw honey and oatmeal and mix to form a paste, then apply to skin and leave on for about 20-30 minutes then rinse with cool water. Another amazing DIY face mask can be created by combining yogurt with honey and lemons.  This mask is especially great for acne prone skin because of the antibacterial and antifungal properties found in yogurt.  Combined with the lemons, it also helps to fade dark spots and acne scars and the honey soothes your skin.  If your skin has been a bit dry and irritated due to the severe weather most of the nation has been experiencing, just combine plain yogurt with raw honey in equal parts and apply to your face.  Honey is a natural humectant that retains water to help keep skin soft and moisturized. It is also an antimicrobial agent and is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin. Plain yogurt can be combined with a ton of other ingredients to create different face masks customized for whatever skin conditions you may be experiencing.  It truly is an amazing and versatile skin and body super food! If you found these DIY beauty tips helpful, please be sure to Like, Share and Pin this post! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

 

My favorite beauty treatments are those that I can create myself with ingredients from my own kitchen.  Creating my own beauty treatments makes me feel good about what I am putting on my skin because I know exactly where the ingredients came from and I know that they won't harm my skin.

This morning my sister greeted me at her door with bright, glowing, soft skin sans makeup.  And since my sister is a walking  beauty encyclopedia, I had to know what got her skin looking so amazing.  Turns out it was her own concoction of coffee grounds, honey and lemon. The coffee grounds exfoliates the skin, functions as an anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants.  The honey is a really great  moisturizer and leaves skin feeling soft and supple.  The lemon brightens skin and minimizes the look of pores while getting rid of oil.  I applied the exfoliating mask to my skin and left it on for fifteen minutes.  When I was ready to remove the mask, I applied a bit of water to my face and gently massaged my skin in a circular motion to exfoliate with the coffee grounds, then rinsed my face.  The mask rinses away easily and cleanly.  My face immediately felt softer and smoother and it looked great.  It was clearer and brighter and best of all the mask took about two minutes to make and all of the ingredients can be found in the kitchen. Have you tried making a DIY mask at home? I'd love to hear your recipe! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!     *Disclosure