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Five-Step Skin Care for Perfect Skin

posted by Annie B. Bond Aug 28, 1999 6:57 pm
filed under: True Beauty, Skin Care
5 comments

Excerpted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbs for Natural Beauty, by Rosemary Gladstar.

This treatment takes about 45 marvelous minutes and, for best results, should be done at least once or twice a month. By following this simple, inexpensive treatment, you can be assured of healthier, glowing skin within two to three months.

STEP ONE: Miracle Grains
Lightly cleanse your face and neck with Miracle Grains. There are many items you can add to this basic formula, such as seaweed, vitamins A and E, and other combinations of herbs. Don’t be afraid to be creative. You may design a truly unique and wonderful formula personalized for your skin type.

Electric coffee grinders work best for grinding small amounts of herbs, flowers, and spices. However, do not use the grinder you use for your coffee.

1 cup oats, finely ground
2 cups white clay
1/4 cup almonds, finely ground
1/8 cup lavender, finely ground
1/8 cup roses, finely ground
1/8 cup poppy seeds or finely ground blue corn

1. Combine all ingredients. Store grains in a glass container next to the sink.

2. To use, mix 1-2 teaspoons of the cleansing grains with water. Stir into a paste and gently massage on face. Rinse off with warm water.

STEP TWO: Herbal Facial Steam
Select an Herbal Facial Steam that’s best for your skin type.

Herbs for dry to normal skin: 2 parts chamomile, calendula and roses, 3 parts comfrey leaf, 1 part lavender

Herbs for normal to oily skin: 1 parts sage and raspberry leaf, 3 parts comfrey, 2 parts calendula, 1/4 part rosemary.

1. Mix all the herbs together, adjusting amounts to suit your skin, and store in dry, airtight glass bottles.

2. To use, bring 2-3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a healthy handful of the herb mixture and let simmer with the lid on for just a couple minutes.

3. Remove the pot from the heat source; steam for 5-8 minutes by draping a large, thick towel over your head and place your face over the steaming herb water. It will get very hot under the towel. To regulate the heat, raise or lower your head or lift a corner of the towel to let in a little cool air. This mini-sauna does wonders for the skin.

STEP THREE: Facials
Facials are excellent for stimulating circulation to the skin by drawing fresh blood to the surface. They promote deep pore cleansing and help heal blemishes and acne. Facials also help tone and firm the skin.

For dry skin choose a white cosmetic grade clay. White clays, though lightly drawing, are gentle for the skin. They are very high in minerals and are excellent for problematic, blemish-prone skin.

For oily skin choose green, red, or yellow clay. These clays are much more drying than the white variety.

For all skin types honey makes an excellent facial. It brings fresh blood to the surface, removes impurities, and smooths and softens the skin.

1. Select the facial material best suited for your skin type. If using clay, mix with just enough water to make a nice paste. The thicker the clay/water mix, the more drying the facial. Apply, and leave on until completely dry.

2. Leave the clay to dry completely on your skin before rinsing.

3. If choosing the honey pack, apply a fingerful to thoroughly dried skin. Be sure your hair is out of reach. Gently massage, pat, and rub honey into the skin. Rinse the honey off completely with warm water.

4. STEP FOUR: Tonic Astringents
Immediately after rinsing the facial, apply an astringent preparation to tone and close the pores. Use a cotton pad for application, or mist the skin with a spritzer bottle. Choose from the following treatments;
* For dry skin, use rose water, a very light, gentle astringent
* For normal to oily skin, use The Queen of Hungary’s Water.

STEP FIVE: Massage and Cream
Lightly massage your face using your favorite moisturizing cream. Rub a small amount of cream in your palms and gently circle the outer edges of the face, always stroking upward and outward. Follow the contours of the face, using your fingers to trace the structure.

More on Skin Care (212 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3251 articles available)

5 comments

Go to the Source

Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Natural Beauty

In this inspiring guide, internationally known herbalist Rosemary Gladstar offers a healing, holistic approach to beauty and body care.buy now

5 comments

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5 Comments       add a comment »
Benjamin Franklin

very good health tip for skin care. :O

Krystal Williams

Love the 5-Step Skin Care Guide! I've found these clays at the local health foods store (they're generally very high quality). White clay (Kaolin) is usually situated right next to red (Moroccan) and green (French) clay powders. Hope you find them!

Mary T.
  • Mary T. says
  • Nov 23, 2007 1:36 PM

Definitely seems like this would work. Where might I be able to find the clays, though?

Creyan Homes

i like your advice

Surriya I.

your advises are v good for skincare
surriya

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Excerpted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbs for Natural Beauty, by Rosemary Gladstar. Copyright (c) 1999 by Rosemary Gladstar. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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