Traditional Oatmeal and Rose Water Face Mask

Most women know about the every day household items that are good for the skin. There's oatmeal, honey, seaweed, milk, yogurt, and of course the essential vitamins and minerals found in many organic ingredients. There is one organic ingredient in home skin care that doesn't quite get the recognition it deserves, and that's flowers and flower essences. Flowers are natural astringents, especially ones like lavender, orchids, and roses.

One of the best common household items that's great for your skin is rose water, which can be made at home or purchased at many local markets. To make your own rose water, you need any enamel covered or lacquered pot that's heat resistant. You also need about 2 and a half cups of distilled water, and about a handful of rose petals, cleaned with no chemicals or insecticides on them. Fill the bottom of the pot with the petals and slowly pour warm or hot water over them, and immediately cover the pot. Let it sit like that on your stove top for a minute or two before you turn on the heat, very slowly turning it up until the water is just about to bubble, not yet boiling. Turn off the heat and let the pot sit for another few minutes. Strain the water from the pot and the petals, and squeeze all of the moisture from the petals into a small glass bottle. This will give you enough rose water to use for your face mask, as well as save some for later!

Now that you have some fresh home made rose water, it's time to prepare a wonderful mask for your skin that will make you look more youthful, healthy, and vibrant. Add equal parts oatmeal and milk, just enough to fill a small bowl halfway. Add about 2 teaspoons of rose water and mix well with clean fingertips. After the ingredients are mixed together, rub a thin layer on your skin at first, and then repeat after you've covered your entire face once. When applying the mask, use small circular motions with your fingertips so you wake up the tiny hairs on the surface of your face.

Leave this mask on for about 5 minutes, until your skin begins to feel tight. Rinse well, I recommend rinsing in the shower or tub and following with a gentle moisturizer that has plenty of vitamin E. This face mask has been used by the women in my family for generations, and it's results are proof of why! When you're done with your routine, you'll notice smoother, younger looking and more radiant skin that could only be done by using simple, green, household ingredients!