Making Homemade Spa Treatments with Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit, offer a number of benefits for the skin.  The alpha hydroxyl acids naturally exfoliate our skin and citrus has astringent, antiseptic and detoxifying effects on the skin.  Additionally citrus scents can be relaxing and refreshing, leaving you feeling quite pampered.  Here are three homemade spa treatments with citrus fruit that you can do at home.

Relaxing Citrus Spa Bath

Grab two oranges and two lemons, dim the lights and if you choose, light a few beeswax or soy candles – it’s time to pamper yourself.  Slice the oranges and lemons into ¼ inch or smaller thick slices.  Run a warm bath and drop the slices into it just before you settle in for a refreshing and cleansing soak.

Citrus Mask

Combine one medium-sized papaya, the juice from one lemon, and a teaspoon of honey in a blender on low speed until you have a smooth cream or paste.  Transfer to a small container.  Wash your face and dry it.  Apply the mask, leave on for thirty minutes and rinse clean.  The natural fruit acids will exfoliate your skin and leave your face feeling smooth and radiant.

Milk Cleanser and Lemon Toner

In a small bowl, combine one teaspoon of powdered milk and one teaspoon of water, then mix until you have a smooth paste.  Apply to your face and neck.  Apply the mixture to your face in small massaging circles.  Rinse, dry and squeeze one small lemon into a clean container.  Apply lemon juice to a cotton ball and apply to your clean skin.  The lemon juice serves as the perfect toner to your clean, non-oily milk cleanser. 

Citrus/Almond Scrub

Scrubs are a great way to exfoliate dead skin from your face, elbows, knees and other rough areas of your skin.  The lemon juice and zest in this recipe adds a nice invigorating scent and helps exfoliate. 

You’ll need:
* 3 almonds
* The zest from 1 lemon
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon honey

Directions:

Grab a clean coffee grinder or food processor and grind up your three almonds.  Zest a lemon and add that to the food processor or coffee grinder. Pour ground mixture into a small bowl and add lemon juice and honey.  Mix until combined and you have a lemony, yet coarse cream.  Apply the mixture to your clean and dry face, massaging in a circular motion to lift and remove dirt and dead skin.  Rinse clean with warm water.

Citrus is often used to lighten hair during the summer by taking advantage of a chemical reaction with the sun that lightens the hair.  It’s also used to exfoliate rough elbows and knees by simply halving a lemon and rubbing on the rough spots. 

Citrus, in short, offers a number of beauty benefits naturally.  It invigorates with its natural and appealing aroma and enhances any home beauty regimen.