DIY Papaya and Cuke Facial

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Treat yourself and your friends to a fruity facial from your kitchen

With her business Homespunspa Mobile Spa in Victoria, BC of Canada, Maria Koropecky has been delivering on-the-go pampering parties to her clients for more than a decade. She recently released a recipe book entitled “How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way” to help you create an affordable spa experience of your own right at home.
Using ingredients from your kitchen helps you control the contents of your products and eliminate unnecessary preservatives. This “green” facial treatment is suitable for all skin types, and can be whipped up quickly in your kitchen.
If you aren’t planning on having a pajama party, that’s no problem – the recipe should keep for three days in a sterilized glass jar stored in the refrigerator, but Koropecky warns, “Discard the mask if it starts to smell ‘off’.” If you are inviting some girlfriends over to enjoy your good time, sending some e-invitations ahead of time will help you prepare the proper portions based on your RSVPs. Koropecky offered us this easy to prepare recipe from her book.

Papaya and Cucumber Facial Masque

1/4 cup mashed papaya
1/4 cup mashed cucumber plus 2 round slices
3 TB plain yogurt
1 TB ground oat powder
2 TB aloe vera gel
Method:
Submerge the papaya in boiling water for 1 minute to help remove the skin and then dip it into an ice bath for one minute.
Peel the papaya skin off with the tip of a paring knife.
Cut the papaya in half.
Remove the seeds with a spoon and discard.
Cube the papaya into bite-sized pieces, reserving 1/4 cup. You can use the rest in a salad or dessert if you wish.
Using a potato masher or blender, mash 1/4 cup of the papaya into a pulp and pour it into a bowl. Meanwhile, remove the skin and seeds from the cucumber and mash 1/4 cup of the green fruit into a pulp and add it to the papaya.
Cut two cucumber circles per person and reserve them for the eyes while the pulp sets on the face. Use the rest of the cucumber in a salad if you like.
Using an electric coffee bean grinder, mortar and pestle or blender, turn the dry oats into a powder and add to the fruit pulp.
Mix in the plain yogurt and aloe vera gel.
Tip:
You can get the aloe vera gel by cutting open a house plant or you can buy the greenish, gooey substance pre-extracted and bottled at a drug or natural foods store.
Manner:
Have a towel handy. After cleansing your face, spread the mixture over your face and neck avoiding the eyes as you smooth it in with your fingers. Place the two previously cut cucumber circles over your eyes, and then sit back and relax. Leave the masque on for 10 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with plenty of cool to warm water. Pat your skin dry and follow with a toner and moisturizer.
Benefits:
Papaya softens the skin and helps lift blackheads.
Although cucumber is known as a remedy for puffy eyes, it also offers cleansing, moisturizing, pH-balancing and softening properties for your skin.
Yogurt is good for all skin types and boasts antiseptic, cleansing, moisturizing, softening and toning properties to benefit the complexion.
Oats are good for all skin types to clean, exfoliate and soften the skin.