Salad Facial

Source

We've got a bit of a glut of cucumbers at the moment and are about to be engulfed by tomatoes, which made me think that a salad-inspired recipe would be perfect.  This recipe is easy to make and great value as you get 2 different treatments from the same recipe.

The cucumber will refresh and  soothe the skin, and is mildly astringent; tomatoes are rich in Vitamins A and C - both important for cell renewal -  and antioxidants; lettuce (and Dead Sea Salt) is rich in magnesium which helps to enhance skin hydration and reduce inflammation; cider vinegar is astringent, anti-bacterial, and will help to maintain the pH balance of the skin.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cucumber
1 tomato
1 large lettuce leaf
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp Dead Sea Salt (optional)
2 tbsp ground oatmeal or rice flour or cornmeal

• Roughly chop the cucumber, tomato and lettuce and place in a blender.
• Add the cider vinegar (and salt).
• Whizz it all together until smooth.
• Strain the mixture through muslin or a fine sieve, reserving the pulp, and pour the liquid into a clean bottle or jar to use as a toner. There should be about 50ml (roughly four tablespoons).
• Keep the liquid refrigerated, and use within a week.  To use, apply to the face and neck with cotton wool after cleansing.
• Add the ground oatmeal (or rice flour etc.) to the reserved pulp and mix well.  Use as an exfoliating face mask (apply to face and neck avoiding the eyes, then massage thoroughly using small circular motions; leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off).

Be sure to keep everything as clean as possible.

[Disclaimer:  I have tested this recipe on myself, but as everyone's skin is different, always patch test first to make sure that you do not have a reaction.  Apply a small amount of the mask / cleanser to a small area of skin (the crook of your arm or wrist for example) and  leave for 24 hours (rinse off the mask first!).  If all is still clear after that time, then you're good to go!]