Candy Cane Steam Facial ~ 4 days til Christmas!

Today we take a little break from Christmas prep and treat ourselves to a candy cane steam facial. I concocted this at-home steam facial last weekend and decided it was fabulous; now I’m sharing it with you.

During this busy time of the year, taking care of ourselves is a necessity. While we may not have the time or $$$ to go to a fancy spa, we can all spare a few minutes to pamper ourselves. If not, simply save this post and refer to it when you do have more time to relax.

Facial Steam

Every good facial treatment starts with a steam bath. A steam bath opens and unclogs pores, promotes circulation-collegen-elastin, helps your skin absorb products, hydrates and soothes, and helps relieve sinus pressure. AND, a steam bath at home is inexpensive!

For my candy cane facial steam bath I used the following ingredients:

• 1 small candy cane (you can also use pieces of a larger cane or peppermint candy)
• a few twigs of fresh thyme and dried lavender
• a shake or two from my Herbs de Provence spice bottle

How-To

• Bring four cups of water to a boil.
• Break the candy cane into small pieces and add to the boiling water. Crush the herbs with your fingers before dropping them into the water. This helps release oils from the herbs.
• Simmer two minutes while the peppermint oil  and herbs release a wonderful and calming aroma.
• Remove water from heat.
• Drape towel over your head and lean over the bowl a few inches from the water. Don’t touch the bowl—it’s hot! Breathe in steam for ten minutes. (Set your timer so you know.)
• Ahhhhh!

When your timer rings, you are ready to apply a mask sheet, moisturizer, or other homemade facial.

If you don’t have a mask product at home, try one of these eight skin-transforming face masks from Allure. Each is specific to skin type/problem and made from ordinary foods you possibly have at home.

I applied a green tea mask to my face which made me look a bit like the Grinch. Afterward, my skin felt so soft. (This mask was something I had in my bathroom drawer.)

A Fun Gift

Another idea is to give the gift of a candy cane steam facial by gathering the herbs and candy cane and wrapping the ingredients in a festive package.

Be sure to include instructions.

I hope you enjoy this, but please remember I’m not an esthetician. If you have any type of skin problem, don’t trust a thing I’ve written and use this candy cane herbal concoction as a simmering room freshener instead. It smells amazing.

4 days! Santa is packing his sleigh…

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.