Apple and Sugar Face and Body Scrub Recipe AHA rich.

Simply scrumptious Apple Face and Body Scrub spa quality.....so refreshing, softening, smoothing......

Now heres a recipe that is simple, affordable and absolutely fabulous. I kid you not. The apples in this face scrub are high in potassium, vitamins  A and C and malic acid which is a naturally exfoliating enzyme.  Malic acid (an AHA goodie for our skin) helps the skin look healthier, younger and firmer as it evens skin tone and tightens pores.  Cleansed of dead skin cells, soothed and smoothed your skin will glow with health.

Brown sugar or white sugar? Brown sugar for your face scrub as it is gentler , White sugar for body.

Sugar is full of glycolic acid which is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and helps maintain healthy skin.
It cleanses really well and can reduce any body acne you may have and prevent further breakouts, as well as naturally moisturizing. 

Cinnamon has antimicrobial benefits.    Just use a pinch.

Recipe courtesy of the Ritz Carlton's Bachelor Gulch Spa, via Webmd.com feature. Easy and lovely.

Recipe:

4 TBL brown sugar ( for face scrub) 

 OR

2 TBL white sugar  and  2 TBL brown sugar ( for body scrub)

For face or body scrub you just mix the sugar with:

1 TBL apple sauce or fresh apple puree 
pinch of cinnamon



How To Apply a Sugar Scrub to face:   Splash face with warm water, spoon out desired amount of freshly made apple/brown sugar scrub into your palm. Apply to face with fingers and massage in a circular motion for a few minutes.  Not alot of pressure is needed, keep it gentle. ( Keep out of eye area. ) Allow to stay on face for a few minutes after the massage, if you can, as this allows more penetration of the natural goodness!  Rinse with cool water. 

Sugar Scrub for Body:  In the shower or tub,  start with warm water on skin, apply white sugar scrub in circular motions, rinse well.   


Click here for more info about AHA's,  and for my  Apple facial recipe which is different than a scrub.

Apple scrubs and facials are a favorite around my house and with 3 daughters of varying ages
to try them out, they sure get high reviews around here!

                           
This post has been shared with:
Living Green Tuesdays by Like A Mustard Seed blog                                  

Enjoy,      Anna

Fruit Facials / Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Masks Recipes

     Spas around the world use fruit acid facials for their clients routinely, to smooth and improve the appearance and condition of the skin.    So, take advantage of summer's bountiful fruit harvest and make-at-home luscious  fruit facials, using the natural acid found in fruits and milk.  Recipes below.
                                               

     What are Fruit Acid Facials:  Also known as Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) facials, these treatments use the natural acids found in fruit and milk to exfoliate, clean, hydrate, boost collagen levels,and  improve tone and texture, just to name a few benefits.

     How It Works: Fruit acids loosen the bond between the dead skin cells and the skin. Sloughing off the dead cells and exposing healthy skin cells, basically a gentle exfoliation without friction. This action unclogs pores, which helps clear up blemishes, reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars.  AHA's also help even out skin tone, age spots,  and blotchiness over time.

      Why should I use  an AHA  mask?  Aging skin is a natural and long process. The wrinkles we see in our 30's and 40's actually began developing decades earlier!  Our skin is dramatically effected by lifestyle and environment, those long days of sun bathing in our teens and 20's leave their mark on us in our later years.  Here's hope:  we can slow down the process of aging skin, even reverse some of the damage done by using natures pantry.  God has provided for us in nature,  fabulous ingredients for fresh, healthy skin.  Fruit acid facials are inexpensive and easy to make at home.  Economical because you can make a batch up with the fruit that is in season, hence cheaper, and freeze it in ice cube trays for individual use later.

     What can I expect?  You will notice immediately a softer, smoother complexion, a fresh feeling. It is over time that you will see the benefits of skin color evening out, age spots reduction, blotchiness etc. The AHA's in your facial help retain moisture and stimulate skin cell renewal leaving your face incredibly healthy feeling, with a beautiful youthful glow.  Your skin can get sunburned easier after some fruit treatments, so if you're planning on sun bathing after one, use a sunblock.  Staying healthy always makes us feel more at our best, so try not to stress out about the aging process, life's good at all stages! Try a few of these fun natural treatments and have a great day!

photo source flikr

Apple Facial:   the Ritz-Carlton's Bachelor Gulch Spa actually uses an Apple Face/ body Scrub that incorporates brown or white sugar, apple puree and cinnamon.....yum   Apples have malic acid, vitamin A and C and are high in potassium.

photo from flikr

• 1 Tablespoon applesauce
• 1 Tablespoon honey, warmed
• 1 teaspoon yogurt or sour cream

Combine all 3 ingredients until smooth.  Smooth on your face with fingers or with a fan brush. Leave on 10 or so minutes, until you feel it drying out. Rinse in warm water followed with a splash of cool water, or cool green or black tea.  If you don't have yogurt or sour cream you can make this mask with just applesauce and honey.  The honey hydrates and calms the complexion which is great for all skin types, and acts as antibacterial helping the acne prone skin.  It is a great all around cleanser. The apple's malic acid gently exfoliates, exposing new skin and promoting new skin growth, it aids in smoothing and soothing the skin.  This recipe yields about 2  masks, keep in refrigerator.

Honey and Lemon facial:   

photo source flikr

• 2 Tablespoons Honey (warmed)
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice,  from concentrate or freshly squeezed
• mix these 2 ingredients 
• Smooth on face with fingers, it is sticky, leave on 10-15 mins. and rinse  

This fruit acid facial with lemon is a great brightener. Your skin will tone up, and look all around brighter after using this a few times.   The AHA in it will lighten and brighten the tone of your skin, and help with age and sun spots over time.  The honey is an anti-inflammatory helping the acne prone skin, also of course a hydrator.    Be careful of lemon around the eye area, do not get in eyes.  If your skin is sensitive try a cucumber facial rather than a lemon/citrus one.

Cucumber Facial:    

• Cucumber
• Honey
• Yogurt ( or buttermilk or sour cream )
• Splash of green or chamomile cold tea

Cucumber has the same ph as our skin, that is one reason why spas love to use it in their facials. It works as a gentle astringent, while it soothes and cools skin stressed by the sun and heat.  It will tighten pores and sooth itchiness.

Cucumber Nourishing Mask:

• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Milk or Yogurt or powdered milk
• 1 Egg white

This mask is best made in a blender for smoothness.  Use your own measurements for consistency and yield.