Cucumber Face Mask – Treat yourself!

When I was a kid we had lots of staycations (stay-at-home-vacations).  Once school was out my brothers and I got creative in pretending that we are on vacation.  Lots of building forts, camping in the backyard, running through sprinklers and many of mom’s picnics on our front lawn. It was awesome!

Now that summer is here and I have a few days off here and there I decided to recreate these staycations. Grown-up style this time.  Think along the lines of a home spa experience.  Aaaahhhhhh!

With only a few ingredients from my kitchen, I was able to make my very own face mask, sit outside with my feet up only to emerge an hour later with recharged batteries and glowing skin.  I will let you in on the secret, because it’s just too simple to keep to myself!

When I was researching the nutritional benefits of cucumbers a few weeks ago for my ‘cool as a cucumber’ water post I came across a lot of information on the wonders that cucumber can do for your skin!  I just HAD to try it out for myself!

Ingredients:

• Half a cucumber
• One egg white
• A handful of mint leaves

How to:

• Peel the cucumber, cut in quarters and remove the seeds (and eat the peel and seeds if you are like me!)
• Cut the cucumber into cubes and throw into food processor.
• Remove the mint leaves from the stems and toss into the blender
• Break the egg and separate the egg white – place in a deep bowl
• Beat the egg white until it is slightly firm
• Add the egg white to the blender
• Mix all together – be careful not to mix it too much.

*I used a submersion hand blender, since I do not have a food processor (Ugh, I know!! I really want one)

Now for the fun part!  Use your fingers to scoop the facemask and spread it evenly onto your face.  Be careful to avoid your eyes.

Sit back and relax for 20 minutes.

To remove the face mask, use some luke warm water.  To rinse off your face, use some hot water, then some really cold water to splash your face with.  Alternating between hot and cold water really wakes up your skin and you will feel super refreshed! Pat dry with a towel.

In an attempt to extend the spa experience, I filled a bowl with lukewarm water for my footsies.  My poor feet are taking a beating now that we play beach volleyball (and so are my white towels for that matter!!). And since I am on my feet a lot when I work at the café, I figured they are two very deserving recipients of some extra TLC.

I would include a cute picture of my feet in the water here, but seeing how I stubbed my one big toe pretty badly this weekend (ouch!) I will spare you the visual effect!

I added some course Epson salt to the water and after soaking my feet in it for a little while to soften up the skin, I then used my feet to massage each other and give them a good scrubbing with the salt. It feels so good!

Why is this facemask good for me?

Cucumber is a great source of silica – this is a mineral that holds up the connective tissue in the skin and also helps to strengthen it.  Cucumber also has the same level hydrogen as your skin, which aids in hydrating the skin and generally mask problem areas. It is well known that cucumber reduces puffiness around the face and reduces dark circles under your eyes (Like when stressed out or hungover characters in movies recline with a pair of cucumber slices on their eyes!)

Cucumber also has the ability to draw out impurities from the skin.

Mint: cleanses and revitalizes skin

Egg white: tightens skin, softens and smooths

Gosh that feels good!  Isn’t it incredible how easily we can create a little oasis and mental escape right in the comfort of our own homes?  Do yourself a favour and make some “me” time. You deserve it!

So how about you – do you have any ‘staycation’ tips?  What do you do at home to truly pamper yourself?

{benefits source}