Post-Holiday Spa Goodies You Can Make Right Now

Why is it that every year, despite our best intentions to relax and have a good time during the holidays, we end up running around crazy anyway? Entertaining visitors, attending parties, shuttling kids to various events and commitments, braving the crowds to pick up gifts, making crafts – there’s not much time left to squeeze in a little R&R, is there?

You might not be able to make it to the spa, but you can revitalize your skin at home on the cheap. These quick and easy homemade bath & body goodies have delicious holiday-themed fragrances and ingredients designed to perk you up, soften your skin and make you feel pampered and relaxed. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry (especially if you’ve been making holiday treats!)

Candy Cane Body Scrub

½ cup granulated white sugar
¼ cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
2 candy canes, finely crushed to powder
3 drops peppermint oil

Mix together all ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Make sure that you keep the mixture in a warm place before use so that the coconut oil stays in liquid form, and scrub away! It’s a great way to use up candy canes that you don’t want to consume, the scrub smells awesome and it’ll slough away all that flaky, dry winter skin.

Gingerbread Face Mask

1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses
Pinch ginger
Pinch cinnamon

Ginger, cinnamon and blackstrap molasses combine to give this face mask a delicious, seasonally appropriate scent while also providing benefits for your skin. The ginger is soothing and warming, while molasses will leave your skin feeling silky-smooth with a youthful glow. Just mix it together, apply to the skin (avoiding the eye area), let dry until it’s stiff and remove with a damp, warm washcloth.

Cranberry-Green Tea Skin Treatment

½ cup fresh cranberries
1 bag of green tea
1 cup of water

The anti-inflammatory properties of both cranberries and green tea, plus all of the antioxidants these two nutritional powerhouses contain, will work wonders on tired skin – especially puffy under-eye circles. The vitamin C and natural fruit acids in cranberries aid in gentle exfoliation and green tea may have anti-aging effects.

Just simmer the cranberries in the water for about 20 minutes or until soft, remove from heat and add the tea bag. Let it sit until it reaches room temperature and remove the tea bag. Toss the mixture in your blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Apply it to your face and leave it on for about 10 minutes.