Home facial using peppermint oil and honey

The Peppermint Honey Facial

Peppermint dissolves excess oil. It also helps regulate the excess oil production in oily skin. Both peppermint and honey are antibacterial. This facial is great for all skin types. It gives you a cool, refreshing sensation too. Leaves skin really clean and soft. It is not drying even though it cleanses deeply. Great for all skin types.

Peppermint oil is often adulterated. It is used so widely in flavorings and fragrances. For this facial, the peppermint oil you use must be pure peppermint essential oil. Fragrances and artificial flavorings or even adulterated oil passed off as the pure essential oil may irritate the skin instead.

Before attempting this facial, check if you are allergic to peppermint. Mix 1 drop peppermint oil, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon of your chosen carrier oil and apply on your wrist.

Leave overnight. If your skin is irritated by it, skip this facial. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the facial, skip the steps that use these ingredients.

Before you start

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Wash all the bowls, whisk, utensils, spoons, cups and whatever equipment you will be using for this facial with soap and water. Sterilize these with boiling water. (Note: do not boil glass items as these can crack and the splinters can injure you. Certain plastics can melt if boiled so watch out for that). Make sure all surfaces you use for preparing this facial are clean. Remember. For home facials, hygiene and cleanliness is all important.

Put 1 teaspoon honey in a bowl. Add 1 drop peppermint oil. Mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of a good quality carrier oil. Jojoba oil is great for facials. Mix well. Add 3 teaspoons of distilled water. Mix well. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of kaolin and mix until you get a soft, smooth paste. That is your honey peppermint mask.

Put 2 ordinary teabags (green tea or black tea but not herbal tea) into another cup. Pour boiling water over it. Discard the water. Pour cool water over it. Discard the water. Set aside.

Put 1 teaspoon of almond flour and 1 teaspoon honey into a bowl. That is your honey scrub.

Fill a kettle with water and set that to boil.

Wear a hair band or shower cap to keep your hair off your face.

Get ready some cotton pads and a clean towel an 1 tablespoon of skim milk.

Now you are ready for your facial.

The facial

Dip a pair of clean cotton pads into the milk. Use these pads to wipe your makeup off your face. Discard leftover milk.

Wash off the milk with lots of water.

Use the honey scrub to cleanse your face. Discard leftover scrub.

Wash off the scrub with lots of water.

Dry your face with a clean towel.

Pour boiling water into the bowl. Add 2 drops of peppermint oil.

With the towel forming a 'tent' over your head and the bowl, keep your face about 20cm above the bowl. (Caution: Skip this step if you are an asthmatic. The steam could trigger an attack. Skip this step if you have thread veins. The heat could worsen your condition )

Relax and let the steam cleanse your face for 10 minutes.

Apply the honey peppermint mask on your face. Discard leftover mixture.

Put 1 cool ordinary tea bag over each eye

Relax and wait for the mask to dry.

Remove the teabags

Wash off the face pack with lots of water. There's be a light film of peppermint oil that will not wash off. I left it on my skin to let it soften my skin further. If it bothers you, or you have a phobia of oil, wash it off with your favourite cleanser. I like the gentle cleansing foam from Clarins.

Dip 2 cotton pads into cold distilled water and use that to tone your face.

Apply your favourite moisturizer.