Blowing off some steam!

January is cold, dry, bleak, and yet strangely tied to all our hopes and resolutions for the coming year. It is a terrible time to make plans. Who wouldn't want to be thinner when we gained 10 pounds (ahem, maybe!) over the holidays. Who wouldn't want to plan exciting trips when it is -2 outside and the kids are driving us crazy inside? Well, I say phooey.

Tesing out the English Garden Blend

To counter this grumpiness I have become a little obsessed with facial steams, for a quick way to relax and reduce the bloat and skin issues (hello holiday food and drink). In doing so have been working on lots of botanical and floral combinations. These will be debuting on my site soon but in the meantime, I will leave you with a couple to try at home for yourself.

Facial steams are great for time crunched people, the steam opens pores but doesn't dry out the skin. the botanical oils travel up in the steam and directly into the pores. They soften skin and get it ready to receive other treatments for acne, dry skin, etc. They reduce inflammation and can open up airways (great for winter colds) and have a 10 minute limit, what could be better for busy people.

How to Facial Steam

1. Start with freshly washed skin

2. Steam for no more than 10 minutes as over steaming can have the opposite effects on your skin!

3. Get a pot of boiling water, heat safe bowl (ceramic/glass) and towel (large enough to cover your shoulders, head and bowl) ready.

4. Choose your herbs, flowers, and essential oils from the kitchen, grocery store, and health shop to match your skin needs (see the recipes below).

5. Pour the water over the herbs/flowers/oils and immediately drape a towel over your face, shoulders, and bowl, keeping your face about 10-18 inches from the steam.

6. Enjoy 5-10 minutes of steam and then follow with a mask, serum or moisturizer while your skin is still damp.

The following recipes need only a teaspoon of each flower or herb and 5 drops of essential oil for each steam.

Dry/Mature Skin

• Fresh or Dried Rose Petals

• Dried Chamomile Buds

• Frankincense Essential Oil or Lemon Essential Oil

Acne Prone Skin

• Witch Hazel Leaves

• White Willow Bark

• Basil or Sage Leaves

• Tea Tree Essential Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil

Combo Skin

• Dried Lavender Buds

• Dried Calendula Flowers

• Dried Rosemary Leaves

• Geranium Essential Oil or Wild Orange Essential Oil

Kitchen Garden Blend Facial Steam

See you all next month for the big LOVE post.