Most of the United States is in for a hot summer, and there’s no doubt that your precious hair and skin are feeling the sting of the season. High temperatures and low humidity can be extremely drying, and replenishment is key now. Why not treat yourself to a luxurious spa day? An eco-friendly spa day, of course.
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Set the mood
Before you pamper yourself, pamper your senses by lighting these natural scented candles. Calming Lavender Coconut Wax 1. Candles are usually made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum and is full of toxins. These candles produce soot and do not burn as cleanly as non-toxic alternatives. With that in mind, stick to candles made from beeswax, soy wax, or other natural waxes.
Burning incense is another great way to create a calming environment. Just ask the ancient Egyptians, who loved incense. Aromatic plants and essential oils create incense, which, when burned, produce a beautiful, fragrant smoke. Look for incense sticks or cones made from environmentally friendly, natural materials.
Put on some soft music and find a comfy robe!
Be at ease
Now that your mind is at ease, it’s time for your body to call you. The bathtub is calling you.
Enhance your bath with natural, non-toxic products. Try adding essential oils, Epsom salt, herbs, teas, or oats for a soothing and restorative effect.
Add 10-20 drops of sedative Lavender Essential Oil 2 cups of muscle-soothing Epsom saltMix it up and add it to a warm bath for complete relaxation.
A hot, relaxing bath is a luxury most environmentalists avoid, but sometimes it can be a special treat. Save water and fill the tub, or opt for a quick shower instead.
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Is your hair looking dull? Are you seeing split ends? It’s time to use a deep conditioner that revitalizes your hair. You can even multitask while you’re bathing!
Deep conditioning is the act of treating your hair with a protein-based moisturizing conditioner. To maintain healthy, happy curls, it is recommended to use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week (more often if you have damaged hair). You can use a deep conditioner after using your regular conditioner during a hot bath or shower. Before rinsing, put on a shower cap for a few minutes to let the moisture work its magic.
Deep conditioners are specifically designed to penetrate the hair and replenish each strand. They are usually made with two ingredients: proteins and moisturizers. However, making your own eco-friendly deep conditioner is not complicated. Try this: DIY Natural Conditioner Made with coconut oil, jojoba oil, and essential oils.
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Start your skincare routine! The first step is to wash your face. Use a gentle cleanser like this one. Natural face wash Remove residue and keep your skin refreshed with Pacifica products.
Regular cleansing helps keep your skin clean and increases skin moisture.
Exfoliation
It may seem surprising, but there is no doubt about the power of exfoliation for healthy skin. This revitalizing practice involves removing dead skin cells that naturally occur on the skin’s surface through a scrub. The accumulated dead skin cells can make skin look dull, rough, and dry, and can clog pores, leading to blemishes.
Exfoliating scrubs can be physical scrubs (small scrubbing granules) or chemical scrubs. Choosing the right exfoliator is up to you. Chemical exfoliators can sometimes be irritating to sensitive skin, so a gentle physical exfoliator is a safe starting point.
If you use a physical exfoliator, avoid the plastic microbeads commonly used in exfoliating scrubs. They are so small that they can pass through water treatment filters and end up in the ocean, where they can be accidentally ingested by aquatic life.
Luckily for us environmentalists, there are many alternatives to microbeads these days, such as oatmeal or coffee grounds. If you visit your local drugstore or natural beauty store, you will find that it is not difficult to find natural exfoliants.
Perhaps the more eco-friendly option in this scenario is to make your own. For a basic exfoliant, all you need is a moisturizer, like coconut oil, and an exfoliant, like raw sugar. Check out this recipe: Natural Scrub Find the combination that suits your skin care needs.
Exfoliation isn’t just for your face! Every skin type needs a brightening scrub.
Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin isn’t just for spa days. To keep your skin clear, smooth, and wrinkle-free, moisturize every day. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. Creams are great for dry skin, while lotions are great for oily skin.
Hot baths or showers tend to strip your body of moisture. To make sure your skin feels soft and refreshed, keep a bottle of lotion or cream on hand after you pat yourself dry.
Don’t forget your face, neck, and chest. These are the most sensitive areas. Apply a light moisturizer with SPF to protect against harmful UV rays. Moisturizing your face with moisturizer will ultimately make it look young, fresh, and the perfect canvas for natural makeup.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 11, 2018 and was updated in July 2024.
