DIY spa: avocado face mask!

This post was generously submitted by Michelle, one of the talents at Skana, the spa located at Turning Stone Resort and Spa in glorious upstate New York!  Thanks Michelle - this sounds divine!!

Summer is quickly approaching, and thanks to Mother Nature's last minute cold weather, some of us are still battling the wintertime blues. Dry, scaly skin is definitely not something that we women want to show off as the temperatures heat up and we start to reveal more and more of our skin. As wives and mothers extra time and money can be hard to come by sometimes. Everyone loves to get away for a day relaxation and wellness at the spa but sometimes that just isn’t an option. However there are alternatives, with some ingredients you probably have in your kitchen you can make your own facemask that will give you the same results.

If your face is particularly dry, you will undoubtedly be looking for a facial mask that can slough away dead winter skin while softening the baby soft skin underneath. Avocados are packed with nutrients that can nourish your body from the inside out, so it is no surprise that an avocado facial mask can make a complexion glow. Add a little citrus fruit to the mix and your face will be thanking you for letting it show its softer, suppler side.

What you need

One ripe avocado

Juice from half of an orange

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

A knife

A fork

A medium size bowl

Note: Since this mask features fresh ingredients, you will need to use it within a few days of creation.

Directions

Use your knife the cut the avocado in half. Remove and discard the pit. Scrape all of the fruit into your bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Use a fork to mash all of the ingredients together to create a smooth and creamy paste. Wash your face and neck, making sure to rinse away all of the residue completely. Pat dry and use your fingers to smooth the mask on your face and neck, making sure to avoid the eye area. Lay down somewhere quiet, close your eyes and relax for the next 20-25 minutes while you allow your facial mask to seep in. When time is up, rinse your face using warm and cool water, alternating between the two. Pat dry and apply a toner then moisturize as usual. For a truly spa-like experience, turn off all the lights, light some scented candles and pop your favorite relaxing music into your cd player.