Easy Home Spa Treatments Using Food

Want to pamper yourself with a spa treatment but the budget won't stretch far enough to pay for a day at the spa? Give yourself an easy home spa treatment using foods that will repair dry hands, rejuvenate facial skin, tame frizzy hair, promote sound sleep and allow you to awaken recharged and energized. Grab these foods and get started on your easy home spa treatment.

Repair Dry Hands with Citrus

Grab a tangerine, clementine or mandarin orange to repair dry, cracked skin on hands. These citrus fruits are full of skin repairing oils and aid in the skin's absorption of vitamin A. Toss half of a tangerine, clementine or mandarin orange, with peel on, into a food processor. Pour in one-fourth cup of olive oil, one teaspoon of honey and one cup of sugar. Process until smooth. Rub citrus mixture onto hands and forearms. Heat dry towels in microwave (place towels in microwave before beginning), wrap hands with hot towels and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Exfoliate With Pineapple

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme which breaks down and removes dead skin cells. Mix and use this food-based spa treatment at home to rejuvenate facial skin; Place ½ cup fresh or canned pineapple in a blender along with three tablespoons of cornmeal. Blend until smooth. Apply to face and neck in a circular motion, rinse with warm water.

Dark Chocolate Fights Aging

Applying dark chocolate to your skin will fight signs of aging and leave you with a younger looking complexion. Dark chocolate contains cocoa which is high in antioxidants that repair and prevent skin cell damage. Melt a few squares of dark chocolate in the microwave or on stove top. Allow to cool until it's just warm to the touch. Smooth onto face and relax for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Coconut Oil Tames Frizzy Hair

Coconut oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids (including lauric acid) which moisturize the hair shafts from the inside out. Coconut oil penetrates hair follicles to nourish and hydrate, plus the nutrients in coconut oil seal the cuticle layer to tame frizzy hair and protect hair from damage caused by heated styling tools. Apply three tablespoons of coconut oil to hair, starting at roots and working toward ends, let the coconut oil sit for 15 minutes then rinse.

Promote Deep Sleep with Lavender

The scent of lavender flowers (which are edible) promotes deep sleep by inducing relaxation. End the at-home spa treatment by soaking in a lavender scented bath. Dab lavender oil on cotton balls and tuck into your pillow case or place on the night stand beside your bed so you can sleep deeply and awaken recharged and energized.

Start The Day with Peppermint

The scent of peppermint has the ability to relax you while increasing energy, alertness and motivation all at the same time. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil like jojoba and keep it next to the coffee pot. While waiting for your morning cup of java to brew, massage a drop of peppermint oil behind each ear for five seconds to get your day off to an energized start.