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Even the natural, eco-conscious woman (and man) can enjoy some pampering. Here are some good, homemade remedies made from ingredients you may already have. But don’t limit yourself to this list! There are all sorts of recipes out on the internet and in books. Explore and have fun!

Exfoliant: There are many, many recipes out there involving oatmeal face masks. When I was at summer camp, for spa night we literally just made oatmeal and put it on our faces. For a slightly more sophisticated recipe, take

• 2 heaping tsp fine oatmeal (you can just grind up coarser stuff)
• 1 tsp baking soda

And add enough warm water to make a paste. Apply it to your face and rub gently. Rinse.

Or you can try this simple at-home microdermabrasion, which I have also really enjoyed.

Face Mask: The very same clay that is in the toothpaste recipe (Redmond Clay) suggests right on its label that you use it for a facial to help a variety of skin conditions, including acne (my main issue). Just mix with water to make a paste (a mortar and pestle really helps with this). I initially mixed a 1/2 tablespoon clay with 1 tablespoon water. You could add a couple drops of essential oil for an extra boost. Apply the paste to my face in a thick layer, and leave on for 15 minutes or so. You should not let the clay completely dry out. After removing with a washcloth, apply a moisturizer like shea butter or DIY Facial Serum. For best results, mix 1 part clay to 2 parts water and let sit overnight so the clay can fully hydrate. Mix in large batches and store in an airtight container for future use. The clay can also be purchased already hydrated, and has a much smoother consistency.

Zit-Be-Gone: Sometimes, face wash just isn’t enough. There are many homemade remedies out there, all with merit. However, when I didn’t have access to my store bought stuff, I chose one of two methods. For deep zits that haven’t surfaced yet, I heat up some water to about 120 (the temperature most water heaters are set at, so you can just turn your faucet on high) and dip a spoon in it. I then press the spoon on the zit, dipping it back into the water as it cools. I do this for about 5 minutes. It kills the bacteria and that painful bump will gradually fade away.

For the ones that have already surfaced and need drying and medication, I always used the old standby of toothpaste. It is nice to have something already made up. We’ve already discussed how that clay is good for acne. Add in some drying salt, and anti-microbial tea tree oil, and you have a pretty good zit cream. Just place a small bit of your homemade toothpaste on the blemish overnight and wash it off in the morning. You will probably want to add enough water to get it to the consistency of the face mask, rather than a powder or thick paste.

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