Yes, it is a pleasure to go to your local nail salon, beautician, or blowout spot. But for those who aren’t getting to a spa right now or are just looking to save some cash, a home spa day is always an option. No, you will not receive your laser treatments or studio-strength chemical peels from your home. With these 7 important daily spa items at home, you can feel just as pampered and cared for as you would on a trip to your favorite place.
Also, imagine the possibilities: a fridge with endless mimosas, absolutely no need to put on real clothes to go outside, and the ability to video chat your spa day into a group event.
However, with a slew of product options and DIY recipes bombarding your search bar, finding the best and easiest home treatments can be difficult. Bustle spoke to hair and skin experts to find out what exactly you need to transform your home into your dream spa. Read on for their tips.
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DIY hair mask
According to Krista Depeyrot, co-owner of Salon Bisoux in Washington DC, hair masks are perfect for anyone looking to try DIY recipes. She tells Bustle that there are a lot of foods you can use for home treatments.
One recipe she recommends focuses on apple cider vinegar, an ingredient you’ve probably heard of – the home remedy is often touted for improving irritated scalps. A 2014 study showed that shampoos with an alkaline pH can increase friction in hair. Adding an acidic substance like ACV could soften the break.
Depeyrot’s DIY hair mask recipe takes ACV one step further. She recommends mixing 1 tablespoon of ACV with half an avocado, a teaspoon of argan oil (both moisturize the hair and scalp), and 10 drops of rosemary essential oil (for the scent). After combining the ingredients, apply them to dry hair from root to end and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
CBD body lotion
New York-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King recommends a good CBD lotion for your home spa day. Dr. King says that CBD can help relieve anxiety, and there is some evidence that it’s good for the skin, too. “CBD has the potential to treat various skin conditions by activating the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammatory responses in the skin,” she cites conditions such as psoriasis and acne that can be improved through the use of CBD products.
Dr. However, King notes that more work is needed in the form of randomized, controlled trials with samples large enough to determine the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids for treating skin conditions. “There are potential benefits, but we need more data,” she says.
However, because of its positive pre-studies, CBD can be a good point to incorporate into your day.
Steam treatment
Josie Holmes, Cosmetologist at SKINNEY Medspa in New York City, recommends a good facial steam for your home spa day. She says the vaping process can help blood circulation, increase hydration, and help products absorb better. And while you can buy a steamer, you can make one at home too.
“I like to take a large bowl and fill it with hot water,” she says. “Sometimes I add essential oils or crushed rose petals to make it feel even more dreamy. You can take a towel and drape it over the back of your head to catch in the steam.” Try steaming for five to ten minutes once or twice a week.
DIY face masks
Matthew Arthur, beauty expert at Whole Foods Market, recommends a DIY face mask made from strawberry and bentonite clay. Studies have shown that strawberries act as a protectant against sun damage and a source of antioxidants, while bentonite clay can help soothe the skin.
To make Arthur’s recipe:
- Combine ½ cup of strawberries, ½ cup of heavy cream, and 2 drops of essential oil in a blender and pulse three times to puree.
- Add ¼ cup of bentonite clay and pulse 3 more times or until mixture thickens.
- Moisten a washcloth with warm water and place it over your face for 30 seconds.
- Remove the washcloth and apply the mask. Avoid areas like eyes, lips, and nostrils when doing this.
- Let the mask dry for 15 minutes before rinsing.
- Pat dry and refill with toner as needed. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and use daily or once a week on sensitive skin.
However, if you don’t want to use a DIY face mask, there is an option to purchase pre-made clay masks made with bentonite. The 3-in-1 detox mask from Honest Beauty and the activated carbon mask from Origins’ Clear Improvement for cleaning pores are both made of bentonite clay and do not require any physical effort.
DIY manicure & pedicure
For those who don’t go to the nail salon often, an at-home manicure can be a great addition to your spa day. Amy Lin, founder of wellness nail care brand Sundays, recommends the manicure kit but also says you can use household items for anything you don’t have. For example, she recommends using lemons to soften cuticles and says avocado or coconut oil are great as a moisturizer.
DIY foot soak
Whole Foods Arthur also offers an option for those looking for a home footbath while relaxing with a mask on their hair and face. He recommends a combination of Epsom salt, lemon and warm water. While there haven’t been clinical trials to test Epsom salt’s effectiveness, Naoki Umeda, MD of the Cleveland Clinic writes that Epsom salt can help loosen muscles, reduce inflammation, and soothe stress. Meanwhile, lemon is antimicrobial, and Arthur says you can add essential oils for aromatherapy. The following has to be done:
- Fill a large foot bucket or tub with warm water.
- Cut 2 large lemons and squeeze their juice into the bucket.
- Take a third lemon, cut into wheels and set aside.
- Add 2 cups of Epsom salt.
- Stir the water with a spoon, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Add the lemon wheels and soak your feet in the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Rinse your feet with cold water, pat them dry, and apply your favorite foot cream.
DIY body scrub
Several brands like Frank’s Body and SheaMoisture have coffee scrubs in their product lineup, but Holmes at SKINNEY MedSpa says you can make one at home too. Holmes explains that caffeine can have a ton of skin benefits, such as: B. to increase blood circulation and provide antioxidants. Studies have also shown it to be an effective tool in antiaging efforts by inhibiting the breakdown of collagen.
To create her scrub, Holmes uses a few scoops of coffee grounds and adds them to a bowl. Next, she adds a few tablespoons of melted coconut oil to help moisturize and act as a support for the soil. Apply it to the skin, scrub and rinse off.
Experts:
Krista Depeyrot, co-owner of Salon Bisoux
Hadley King, MD
Josie Holmes and Lindsay Malachowski, beauticians at SKINNEY Medspa
Matthew Arthur, whole foods beauty expert
Amy Lin, founder of wellness nail care brand Sundays
Studies to which reference is made:
Lin, T., Zhong, L., Santiago, J. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and anti-skin repair effects of topical application of some vegetable oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
Olah, A., Tóth, B., Borbíro, I., Sugawara, K., Szöllõsi, A., Czifra, G., Pál, B., Ambrus, L., Kloepper, J., Camera, E., Ludovici, M., Picardo, M., Voets, T., Zouboulis, C., Raus, R., Bíró, T. (2014). Cannabidiol has a sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effect on human sebocytes. The Journal of Clinic Investigation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151231/
Arai, Young-Chang P., Ueda, Wasa, MD (2003). Warm steaming enhances the topical anesthetic effects of lidocaine. Anesthesia & analgesia. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2004&issue=04000&article=00019&type=Fulltext
M. Gasparrini, T. Forbes-Hernandez, S. Afrin, J. Alvarez-Suarez, A. Gonzàlez-Paramàs, C. Santos-Buelga, S. Bompadre, J. Quiles, J. Mezzetti, B., Giampieri, F. . (2015). A pilot study on the sun protection effect of cosmetic formulations based on strawberries on human skin fibroblasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4581226/
Moosavi, M. (2017). Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review. Iranian Journal of Public Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632318/
Herman, A. (2013). The mechanisms of action of caffeine and its cosmetic uses. Skin Pharmacology & Physiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23075568
Lee, K., Bharadwaj, S., Yadava, U., Kang, S. (2019). Evaluation of caffeine as an inhibitor against collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase using the in-silico and in-vitro approaches. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6493221/
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