There’s an abundance of reasons to partake in the slow-living ways of home spa treatments. It’s such a light, creative, meditative and fun process that can be shared among family, friends and even children with little financial burden but a whole lot of benefits. Plus, you can lower your carbon emissions by integrating ingredients found locally rather than import fancy bottles from elsewhere. Just as when you eat food from the local farmers’ market, which feeds your skin with antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits, when you apply pure ingredients to your skin it’s better for you and the earth.
Asia is a particularly exciting region in which to learn about natural remedies for Beauty. In cultures from Japan to Bali to India, herbal baths and pure skin applications, along with regular massage and bathing, are still revered. Need convincing? Then look at the flawless skin of so many of the men and women from the East.
I doubt that $100 bottles of anti-ageing cream can achieve the same results as good-quality natural ingredients. Then there are Asia’s ancient medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, both founded on living in harmony with nature and as relevant as ever.
To be fair, there are commercial products that may bring some benefits, but there are so many that don’t. Why buy them when ingredients such as raw honey, fresh papaya and avocado perform wonders on the skin and hair? Indeed, with all the perceived changes going on with our earth right now, creating bathing, hair and skin potions at Home with friends is yet another way to bring more community and lightness into your life.
Indian facial beauty rituals
Regular attention to our faces promotes firmer and younger-looking skin, in particular when practised with self-massage. As with exercising other parts of our bodies, regular facial massage delays the signs of ageing by increasing suppleness in facial skin texture and relaxing facial muscles. The entire body is connected and, as with foot reflexology, thumb and finger pressure will stimulate the marma points (also known as acupuncture or acupressure points) which, in turn, increases blood flow, oxygen and energy to various areas of the body. Always use gentle circular and upward strokes when massaging the face and neck area.
Facial cleansers
Mix all ingredients into a smooth paste, apply over the face massaging gently with circular motions and leave to dry naturally.
DRY COMPLEXIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1 tsp almond meal, ½ tsp milk powder, ¼ tsp sugar, 1 tsp warm water. (For extremely dehydrated skin use 1 tbsp dairy dream with 2 drops of lemon juice instead).
SENSITIVE COMPLEXIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1 tsp almond meal, ½ tsp orange peel (ground), ½ tsp milk powder, 1 tsp rosewater.
OILY COMPLEXIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1 tsp barley meal, 1 tsp lemon peel, ½ tsp milk powder, 2 tsp warm water.
Facial nourishment
Apply before moisturiser and leave on to absorb. For each of these recipes, simply blend the carrier oils with the essential oils and store in a dark glass jar with a dropper. In the palm of your hand, mix 2–3 drops of the blend with 4–6 drops of pure water and gently massage into cleansed damp skin for a minute. Leave on to be absorbed for a minute before applying moisturiser.
DRY COMPLEXIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1½ tbsp sesame oil, 10 drops geranium essential oil, 5 drops each neroli and lemon essential oils.
SENSITIVE COMPLEXTIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1½ tbsp almond oil, 10 drops each rose and sandalwood essential oils.
OILY COMPLEXIONS
INGREDIENTS: 1½ tbsp safflower oil, 10 drops lavender essential oil, 5 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops clary sage essential oil.
Moisturiser
DRY COMPLEXIONS
A very rich moisturiser with a beautiful colour and fragrance.
INGREDIENTS: 45g cocoa butter, ½ cups (125ml) avocado oil, 1½ tbsp orange flower water, 4 drops each of geranium and rose essential oils.
DIRECTIONS: Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler and add avocado oil. Turn off the heat and, using a dropper, add the orange flower water one drop at a time while stirring the mixture. Allow to cool and then add the essential oils of geranium and rose. Gently apply over the face and neck area (do not massage into the skin). Can be applied to the elbows, knees and hands.
SENSITIVE COMPLEXIONS
A soft moisturiser with a woody fragrance.
INGREDIENTS: 30g cocoa butter, 4½ tbsp sunflower oil, 3 tbsp rosewater, 5–6 drops sandalwood essential oil.
DIRECTIONS: Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler. Add the sunflower oil, then remove from heat. Using a dropper, add the rosewater one drop at a time while stirring the mixture. Allow to cool, then add the essential oil. Apply gently to the face and neck area but do not massage into the skin. Leave on to hydrate.
OILY COMPLEXIONS
A skin-balancing moisturiser that can also be used as a gentle night cream.
INGREDIENTS: 1 oz (30g) cocoa butter, 4½ tbsp almond, safflower or canola oil, 3 tbsp rosemary or basil tea, 1 drop camphor, 2 drops bergamot and 3 drops lavender essential oils.
DIRECTIONS: Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler and add the almond, safflower or canola oil then remove from heat. Using a dropper, add the rosemary or basil tea one drop at a time while stirring the mixture. Allow to cool, then add the essential oils. Apply gently to the face and neck area but do not massage into the skin.
The bath
The act of cleansing your skin in water is a ritual practised around the world every day. Why not make it special by slowing down and taking the time to chop, mix, boil and infuse your own bath blend. For inspiration, look to the Japanese, who have refined the art of bathing to a tee. In water surrounded by snowy mountains and fresh-smelling pine trees, bathing is celebrated with joy, chatter and laughter as friends (and strangers) commune. Bathtime also provides a sanctuary space for “me time”. Alternatively, dim the lights, add some candles and aromatherapy oils — and your partner — and even more magic is possible.
Oriental green tea bath
Green tea applied topically to the skin has now been proven to benefit skin texture.
INGREDIENTS: 3 tbsp green tea, 6 (20g) pieces dried ginseng root, 100g (7cm x 10cm piece) ginger, roughly chopped, 2L water.
DIRECTIONS: In a non-metal pan, bring green tea, ginseng and water to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the herbal tea mixture through a sieve and add to your bathwater. Boil yourself a pot of green tea and soak up the internal and external benefits of green tea.
Black Sea salt bath bomb
A skin-softening mineral-rich remedy to help reduce water retention
INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp citric acid, 2 tbsp sodium bicarbonate, 2tbsp corflour, 1½ tsp grapeseed oil, 2 tsp yuzu zest (Japanese grapefruit, which you can replace with zest of lime or lemon), 15 drops grapefruit essential oil, 90ml spray bottle filled with neroli (orange flower water) or distilled water, 1 cup (150g) Black Sea salts.
DIRECTIONS: Mix sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, yuzu zest and cornflour. While stirring, drizzle grapeseed oil into the blend. Add essential oils one drop at a time. While stirring further, spray neroli flower water very slowly, taking care not to wet the mixture to the point of fizzing. Add the neroli water until the mixture starts to clump together, then press the mix into a tight ball. Let the ball dry on wax paper for 10 hours before use. Fill your bath with warm water, add the Black Sea salts and fizzy bath bomb. Immerse yourself in your bubbling bath water and dream of faraway lands.
Javanese tea bath
This ancient recipe originated in the royal courts of Surakarta in Indonesia and is easy to prepare at home.
INGREDIENTS: â…“ cup (20g) akar wangi root (or 5 drops patchouli or vetiver essential oils with 5 drops jasmine essential oil), â…“ cup (20g) dried citrus peel, 3 pieces (10g) pandan leaf, ¼ cup (5g) jasmine flowers, 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 heaped tbsp sandalwood powder, 2 cups (500ml) water.
DIRECTIONS: Bring all ingredients to the boil in a saucepan, then simmer on a medium heat for about 30 minutes. Remove and leave until cool. Strain off waste residue and add infusion to a warm bath. Soak in the bath for about 15 minutes. You may also pack the mixture into a cheesecloth bag and place under the running tap of the bathtub and steep for 10 minutes, then step into the bath and squeeze the bag to release the aromas within.
Asian hair spa recipes
Women of the East traditionally have gorgeous sleek, shiny hair and it’s interesting to note that they did not historically apply manufactured shampoos and conditioners to achieve this. Why buy a bottle of shampoo when our earth offers incredible ingredients such as coconut milk and oil, hibiscus leaves, lime candlenut, avocado and aromatherapy oils as effective applications? As with most things in life, all we need is right in front of us.
Indonesian jamu hair infusion
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup (250ml) coconut oil, 10 pieces fresh ylang ylang flowers or 15 drops ylang ylang essential oil, 1 tbsp galangal root powder or ginger powder, 2 pieces (10g) pandan leaf, 10 candle nuts or 1 tbsp castor oil.
DIRECTIONS: Clean and slice all herbal ingredients and store them in an air-tight glass jar. Heat the coconut oil for 10 minutes on a low heat until around 30°C. Pour coconut oil into the mixed herbal ingredients and store as an infusion for 2 days. Before use, strain ¼ cup (65g) of the herbal hair infusion. Apply over your hair and massage into your scalp for 15 minutes. Then wrap your head with a towel (preferably warm) and leave on to be absorbed for 10 minutes. Rinse with a gentle, natural shampoo.
Japanese seaweed rinse
Weekly applications of this mineral-rich hair cleanser create healthy, shiny hair.
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups (500ml) pure spring water, 2 strips dried kombu or kelp seaweed (about 40cm long).
DIRECTIONS: Boil water and pour over seaweed and allow to cool for 30–45 minutes. Shampoo and rinse hair. Remove seaweed from the water and pour gently over the scalp and hair to rinse hair again. Massage well into the hair and leave on for a few minutes. Rinse well.
Thai wild lime hair tonic
Thailand is known for its food and spa recipes containing the fragrant kaffir lime. The lime is good for adding shine and lightening hair colour.
INGREDIENTS: Juice of 2 limes, 1 cup (250ml) distilled water.
DIRECTIONS: Squeeze the juice of the 2 limes and add distilled water. Blend and use as a weekly hair tonic after shampooing. Leave on for 1 hour and rinse well.
Wild lime hair conditioner
INGREDIENTS: 4 fresh limes, 2 tbsp natural conditioner.
DIRECTIONS: Cut fresh limes into quarters and steam in water for 25 minutes. Blend in blender until creamy and strain through a metal strainer into a glass jar. Mix in 1 tbsp conditioner for short hair or 2 tbsp for long hair. Shampoo your hair as normal and then apply the wild lime conditioner from the roots to the end. Cover with a shower cap or warm towel and leave to be absorbed for 30 minutes. Rinse.
Judy Chapman is the author of three books on spas and wellbeing. She is the former editor-in-chief of Spa Asia magazine.
