5 Best Ingredients for DIY Spa

By Staff Reporter | Feb 11, 2016 | 11:00 AM EST

Some spas make a dent in the bank account, which is why some people don't go as often as they'd like, but there are some DIY home spa ideas that you can use to get the same health benefits and relaxation without leaving your space. Here are some ingredients you can use at home to achieve overall wellness.

1. Oatmeal. Often touted as a great weight loss superfood, oatmeal is actually an ingredient that can nourish you both inside and out. All you have to do is take one to two cups of uncooked oas, let it stand in hot water with some honey for five minutes before adding the mixture in running water for the tub.

"Oatmeal helps provide soothing relief for dry skin, rashes, sunburn, and other everyday skin irritation due to its healthy fat content," Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor told Women's Health. "Oats also contain natural cleansers that help keep pores free of impurities and proteins that help skin maintain its natural moisture barrier."

2. Coconut oil. While coconut oil has been lauded for its health benefits (Medical News Today reports that it can help improve glucose tolerance and reduce body fat accumulation), it can also be used for spa and beauty purposes. In fact, Nichelle Gainer of 55 Secret Street and A Novelista told Glamour that women with curly or kinky hair can benefit from the deep-conditioning abilities of coconut oil. Just leave it overnight or condition using a heat cap and just sit back and relax and wake up to more beautiful, stronger hair.

3. Potatoes. This can be the substitute for green tea bags for the eyes. Caffeine in green tea bags acts to shrink the appearance of blood vessels and its antioxidants also help decrease inflammation, as per Seventeen. But New York dermatologist and "Skin Rules" author Dr. Debra Jaliman recommends using raw potatoes (cooled in the refrigerator) to reduce eye puffiness. The potatoes act as a natural astringent that helps decrease swelling around the eyes.

4. Brown sugar. Combine a cup of brown sugar with a cup of raw oatmeal and a cup of olive oil. Julia Coney of All About the Pretty recommends mixing the ingredients together fully before applying to dry skin while in the shower. Apply it using slow circles around the body for maximum relaxation. Scrub it gently all over before rinsing off. The result? Buttery smooth skin.

5. Roses. Feel like a queen and bath in your very own DIY rose water. Lianne Farbes of TheMakeUpGirl reports that rose-water toner has astringent properties. She recommends, "For every one firmly packed cup of rose petals, pour two cups of boiling water over the top. Cover and steep until the liquid is cool. Strain, squeeze out the liquid from the petals and refrigerate the rose water in a sterilized jar between use."

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