During this time of distance and uncertainty, we are choosing to focus on slowing down, staying connected and – most importantly – spreading joy. Each week, we will be sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a piece of the Ivy magic for you to recreate while staying at home. From favorite Magdalena recipes, to at-home spa tips, we hope you will use #IvyAtHome as a resource to incorporate some little luxuries into your new day-to-day, whatever that may look like for you.

Our Spa Director is sharing her favorite at home recipes for glowing skin, all using ingredients found in your pantry. Choose your recipe for an Exfoliation Treatment, Mask, Eye Poultice, Toner, and Moisturizer based on your skin type. Then follow the directions below to DIY your own spa worthy facial.

DIY Spa Facial

Out of product and can’t order more? Don’t fret. Here’s a Fabulous DIY Facial using items you may already have in your home.

1. No cleanser, no worries. Lather your hands using some of your regular bath soap and then squeeze in a dollop of honey into your lathered hands (about 1/4 tsp). Gently work this mixture into the skin.
2. Rinse with warm water.
3. Gently pat the skin dry. Be sure not to pull on your skin as you move the towel over your skin.
4. Apply the Exfoliation Treatment best for your skin care needs following the directions associated with that specific treatment.
5. Remove with a warm wet cloth.
6. Apply the Mask Treatment best for your skin care needs following the directions associated with that specific treatment. Leave on for the specified amount of time.
7. Apply the Eye Poultice best for your skin care needs following the directions associated with that specific treatment. Leave on for the specified amount of time.
8. Remove Eye Poultices and dispose.
9. Then remove the applied Mask Treatment with a warm wet cloth.
10. Submerse the cloth into cool water.  Wring out completely.  Lay the cool wet cloth over the face and gently compress into the skin to encourage the facial pores to close.
11. Apply the Cucumber Toner circles. Gently pat the cucumber against the skin, ensuring the application is thorough. Allow to dry naturally. The skin should feel taut and cool upon completion.
12. Apply your favorite Pantry Moisturizer and you’re ready for the red carpet! Or maybe just your own carpet.  Either way, your skin will thank you.

Exfoliation Recipes

Brown Sugar Cocoa Exfoliation
Hydrating, Antioxidant Rich, Brightening
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Cocoa
2 Tsp Raw Honey
1 Tsp Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
1/4 Tsp of Champagne or White Wine
Gently apply exfoliation to the skin actively for 1 minute. Leave exfoliation treatment on for a total of 10 minutes for a mild sugar based glycolic exfoliation. Rinse and remove.

Gentle Baking Soda and Vinegar Exfoliator
Calming, Reduces Excess Sebum, Promotes Alkalinity, Antibacterial
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Jojoba Oil, (While Jojoba Oil is best, Coconut or Olive Oil will work in a pinch)
1/4 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix Well
Gently apply to the skin 1 minute. Allow mixture to sit on the skin, exfoliating on its’ own, for 2 – 5 minutes. Rinse and remove.

Coffee and Cocoa Exfoliator
Brightening, Hydrating, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory
2 Tbsp Finely Ground Coffee
1 Tbsp Cocoa
2 Tbsp Raw Honey
1 Tsp Cinnamon
Gently apply exfoliation to the skin.  Coffee is very abrasive. Just the act of application is exfoliation enough. Leave the mask on for a total of 1- 5 minutes. Rinse and remove.

Mask Recipes

Cocoa and Avocado Mask
Calming, Hydrating, Antioxidant Rich, Anti-Aging, Antibacterial
1 Tbsp Cocoa
1 Tbsp Finely Ground Raw Oats
1/2 Mashed Avocado
2 Tbsp Raw Honey
Gently apply to the skin and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse and remove.

Banana Oatmeal Calming Mask
Calming, Redness Reducing, Anti-Inflammatory
2 Tbsp Ground Raw Oats
1 Tsp Honey
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Banana
Gently apply to the skin and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse and remove.

Pore Tightening Breakfast Mask
Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Acne Reducing, Pore Tightening
1 Egg White
1/4 Tsp Turmeric
1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Raw Honey
1 Drop of Lavender Essential Oil
Gently apply to the skin and leave on for 5 to 20 minutes depending on your skin’s sensitivity level. Fairer skin, beware of possible staining. Rinse and remove.

Creamy Strawberry Mask
Brightening, Hydrating, Antibacterial
1/4 Cup Strawberries, mashed
1 Tbsp Finely Ground Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Raw Honey
1 Tbsp Cream of Coconut
Gently apply to the skin and leave on for 20 minutes depending on your skin’s sensitivity level. Rinse and remove.

Cucumber Toner Slices
1. Clean the Cucumber very well
2. Dry completely
3. Slice Cucumber creating 2 – 4, 1/8 inch slices.  Lay them on a clean surface or plate
4. Place 1 Drop of Essential Oil onto each Cucumber Slice:
– Lavender Essential Oil = Antibacterial, High in Antioxidants A and E
– Tea Tree Essential Oil = Antibacterial, Antifungal
– Rose Essential Oil = Hydrating, Calming
– Cypress Essential Oil = Improves Circulation
5. Gently glide the Infused Cucumber over the skin. Be sure you are not pulling on your skin.
6. Let dry naturally

Herbal Poultice Eye Treatments

1. Chamomile Tea Bag = Calming, Reduction of Inflammation
2. Black or Green Tea Bag = Stimulating, Reduces Inflammation

Pantry Moisturizers

Moisturizers are a bit more challenging to create at home with pantry ingredients.  A great moisturizer will hydrate your skin, while also being light enough to not clog your pores. This is hard to achieve using pantry ingredients.  Moisturizers all have at least a little bit of water in them as well as an oil based ingredient to act as an occlusive.  However, water and oil do not mix without the addition of an emulsifier.  An emulsifier is an ingredient that enables or facilitates a bond between a water based product and an oil based product.

Two emulsifiers that might be found in the home: Alcohol at the highest percentage possible ie; 190 proof grain alcohol or Sulfated Castor Oil.

No Emulsifier. No Problem

1. Do you have an unscented body lotion? Apply a pea size dot of lotion to the forehead, each cheek and the chin sparingly and gently massage into the skin of the face and neck. Follow up with a dime size amount of your choice of oil and gently apply it into the skin.
2. Do you have coconut oil, olive oil or shea butter? A small amount of oil applied to the skin upon completion of your facial may help to occlude the moisture and hydration that has been achieved through the earlier steps of the facial.
2. Do you have cosmetic grade Aloe Vera? Mix your cosmetic grade Aloe Vera with your oil of choice, add your essential oils and then apply to the skin of the face and neck. Cosmetic grade Aloe Vera generally already has an emulsifier in it and can therefore be mixed readily with oil based ingredients.

Show us your glowy skin using #IvyAtHome on social media!