Every girl loves a trip to the spa for a facial. It is so relaxing, and you come out with glowing, healthy looking skin. What’s not to love?
The price, of course.
Not everyone can find the extra bills in their budget to procure a facial at a spa. I don’t like paying for things that I can do for myself. Especially if it is a treat for myself. I’m much more apt to treat my daughter to a new lip gloss or send a gift certificate for a massage to my mom. But myself? Not so much.
As fall creeps in, I’ve been noticing some of the more upscale spas
advertising some seasonal facials featuring the fruits that are in
season. Right now that would be apples.
I love eating apple crisp, but would I want to smear it all over my face? Turns out that it’s a pretty good idea. Apples are rich in alpha-hydroxy acid, which is an ingredient frequently used in chemical peels designed to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. They are also rich in Vitamin C, another nourishing ingredient key to fighting the effects of aging.
Other ingredients in apple crisp include cinnamon, a natural antiseptic that can help fight pimples and oatmeal, which will exfoliate and absorb oil. An Apple Crisp Face Mask would be great for anyone trying to fight off wrinkles or with oily, acne prone skin. However, it would most definitely NOT be for anyone with sensitive skin. The acid from the apples and the cinnamon would most likely set your face on fire with all sorts of redness and swelling.
I love the recipe I came up with. It smells so yummy. Having cinnamon and apple sitting right under my nose for 10 minutes is like an at-home aromatherapy session. Since I started using it in September, I have noticed that the big black pores on my nose seem to be disappearing, my forehead doesn’t resemble the grease trap of a diner kitchen each evening, and my skin has a healthy glow.
Apple Crisp Face Mask
You’ll need:
a blender or food processor
2 tbsp. oatmeal
2 tbsp. hot water
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 slice of fresh apple (approx. 1/8 medium apple), peeled
Mix the oatmeal and hot water and set aside for a few minutes. Cut and peel that slice of apple. Then cut the apple slice into smaller pieces and put into the blender. (I recommend using a blender. You’ll get a finer puree but a food processor will work if the Kitchen Aid blender you got as a wedding present died earlier that month *ahem*).
Sprinkle cinnamon over apple and dump in the mushy oatmeal. Blend until you get a fine, smooth puree.
Now you are ready to smooth this goop all over your face, being careful to avoid the eye area, just as you would any other face mask. Except with this one, go ahead and treat your lips. It is completely edible and, frankly, more than a little tasty.
Leave the mask on your face for 10 minutes, then rinse off using warm or cool water. My skin was a little pink after removing the mask, (Remember it has the same ingredients as a chemical peel. There will be a little irritation.) but it went away after another 10 minutes.
If you want a bonus treat, mix in 1-2 tbsp. brown sugar, and you’ve got a body scrub to complete your apple body treat.
So next time you go apple picking, remember to set aside a slice for a seasonal treat for your skin.
About Melissa
That sounds tasty! I think I may try this!
If I wanted to make a bigger batch, could I store this?
Shannon –
Great question!
I made a double batch and stored the extra in the refrigerator to use the next week. It won’t last much longer than that. But I’m sure that you could freeze it if you wanted to for longer storage. I’ve done that with applesauce and it still tasted fresh up to 3 months later.
For storing it in the freezer I suggest putting the mask into a ice cube tray. Once frozen remove the cubes of face mask and store in a freezer bag or other container. One cube should be about perfect for one treatment and should be defrosted and brought to room temperature before use.
Thanks for the face mask tip. Had a question on the oatmeal. What kind of oatmeal do you use for this face mark?
Nalini –
I used a store brand equivalent of Old Fashioned Quaker Oats but any kind of plain oatmeal made of 100% whole grain oats will work just fine, even the quick oats. The container should list only one item listed under the Ingredients and that should be some kind of 100% whole grain or natural rolled oats.
Don’t use the stuff that comes in individual packets in assorted flavors. That has extra ingredients you do not want to be slathering all over your skin.
I’m sad that you said it can’t be used for sensitive skin…I am pretty sensitive. Would you say that I could use it but cut it down to five minutes intead of ten on my face? It sounds divine and my skin has been pretty greasy AND dry lately!
I was looking for a good facial mask in the drug store and was surprised to see so few masks, but many scrubs, which are usually too harsh on my pores and make me break out. I might try this very inexpensive mask–my face could really use it.
Well how cool is THAT! I love alpha-hydroxy products.
That sounds very interesting – I might try it!