Oil Free Home facial using peppermint oil

The Oil Free Peppermint Facial

Peppermint dissolves excess oil. It also helps regulate the excess oil production in oily skin. Peppermint kills the bacteria that causes acne. It gives you a cool, refreshing sensation too. This facial is oil free and cleans your pores. (Got rid of those white hardened oil plugs in my pores anyway). This is for oily skin and acne prone skin.

Tip: if you have a problem with acne, check out these acne treatments for an effective solution.

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 and 1 teaspoon of milk 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 tablespoon milk in a bowl. Add 1 drop peppermint oil. 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 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 into a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon distilled water. That is your 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 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 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 and harden.

Remove the teabags

Bend over an old newspaper and with clean hands, gently peel and rub off the mask. It should flake off into powdery chunks, unclogging your pores in the process.

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

Apply your favourite moisturizer.

Use a good acne treatment product daily to clear your skin.