Protect Your Face:
Our faces have to cope with a lot of problems, from damaging free radicals found in pollution, cigarette smoke, and pesticides to oiliness and everyday stress, all of which take their toll on skin. Don't despair. Daily cleansing and care help manage troubled skin, and antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E are powerful allies that can help protect against free radical damage.

Antioxidant Cleanse
Wet your face and dispense a dime-sized amount of facial cleanser onto two fingers (try a good vitamin C or other antioxidant cleanser). Rub your fingers together, then, using gentle circular motions, massage the cleanser over your entire face and neck. Always rinse with tepid water-hot water can damage tiny blood vessels-and pat your face dry.

Face Scrub
Gently exfoliate your skin to remove dead cells, impurities, and sebum, speeding cell renewal and allowing smooth new skin to shine. Use a small dollop of your favorite facial scrub (fruit-based facial scrubs are a good choice, as their natural enzymes are great exfoliators). Lightly rub your fingers in circles over your entire face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Essential Steam
Fill a large bowl with boiling water. Add three drops of rose essential oil and agitate the water to activate the oil and release its vapors. Lean over the bowl, keeping your face 10-12 inches away from the water. Put a bath towel over your head and tent it around the bowl to trap the vapors. Steam your face for 5-10 minutes. Rose oil helps irritated or dry skin; use lavender essential oil for dry-to-normal skin, chamomile for sensitive skin, or lemon for oily skin. (Note that rose essential oil is very expensive, so most commercially available rose oils are diluted.)

Vitamin C Mask and Moisturizer
A vitamin C mask can help restore the skin's lipid barrier, the intercellular material that regulates the flow of water through skin layers. Spread a small amount over your face in a thin, even layer; leave it on for 10-20 minutes, then remove it with a wet cloth and pat dry. Apply a vitamin C moisturizer white your skin is still damp, to seat in moisture and fortify your skin.

Custom Care
The basic steps of face care are valid for any skin care regimen. That said, everyone's skin is unique and it's important to use products that complement your skin type. Treatments that contain tea tree oil are especially good for oily and acne prone skin.

Tea tree oil has been called a first aid kit in a bottle. Historically, tea tree oil has been used to treat everything from sunburns and stings to gum infections and athlete's foot. Its deep cleaning and antibacterial properties make it especially good for controlling blemishes.

Tea Tree Wash and Exfoliation
Splash your face with tepid water. Using a tea tree face wash, massage the cleanser all over your face and neck, using small circular motions. Rinse with tepid water. Next, use a gentle scrub, preferably one that contains tea tree oil as an active ingredient, to further cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Once again, use gentle circular motions as you exfoliate and deeply cleanse your face; rinse again with tepid water.

Oil Control Mask
Spread a thin, even layer of a tea tree based facial mask over your face, avoiding the lip and eye areas. Leave the mask on for ten minutes (note that these masks generally do not dry to the touch). Remove the mask by splashing your face with warm water and wiping away the mask with your fingers or a moistened cotton pad.

Moisturizing Gel
Even if you have oily skin, be careful of over drying; oily skin needs moisturizing, too. A tea tree moisturizing get softens and hydrates your skin without irritation, while antibacterial agents help soothe blemishes. Apply a quarter sized squeeze of get to your fingers and massage it gently into your skin.

Take the Waters
The word spa comes from the Latin phrase salus per aquam, "health via water." Hydrotherapy is the basis of European kurs, mineral water based treatments that incorporate hot and cold soaks, baths, steam, showers, and the drinking of mineral water to help aid specific ailments. You can create this experience in your own bath to tap into the health promoting benefits of water.

Sugar Scrub
Take a five minute hot shower to soften your skin. Turn off the shower, and, using a handful of sugar scrub, gently rub it over your skin, beginning at your neck (avoid your face) and working down to your feet. Rinse off the sugar with warm water, then slowly decrease the temperature and stand in a cool spray for a minute or two, to prepare yourself for a hot soak. Pat yourself dry.

Mineral Bath
For centuries, Europeans have "taken the waters," soaking in and drinking mineral water from local hot springs for their curative benefits. Even the water in a home bath can offer great benefits: simply fill a tub high enough to immerse your body completely. Add ½ CUP of your favorite mineral bath salts to the water and mix them until they completely dissolve. Then ease into the tub, lie back, close your eyes, and rest for at least 20 minutes, breathing slowly and deeply.

Mineral Soak and Hydration
During this ritual, you will perspire, so it's important to keep your body well hydrated. Pour yourself a glass of cool mineral water prior to entering the tub, and drink from it often as you soak. After you finish your bath, dry yourself off and put on a warm robe as you prepare for a body wrap. Be sure to refill your water glass and keep it nearby; you'll want to continue drinking plenty of water after the treatment.

Resting Wrap
A rest period is the most important step of a bathing ritual. During this time your parasympathetic nervous system works to restore your body. Spread two or three heavy blankets on a bed or over a chaise (use a soft blanket on top since it will be in contact with your body). Remove your robe and lie on the blankets, wrapping them comfortably around your body. Rest for 20 30 minutes.

Aromatherapy Immersion Bath
In Germany, entire spa programs have been developed to incorporate the, power of essential oils into treatments, including immersion baths, which infuse baths with active beneficial agents such as herbal extracts and essential oils. To enhance your bathing ritual, try an infusion. Add four drops each ylang ylang and geranium essential oils and four drops rose, oil to your bath. Ylang ylang is euphoric, geranium helps balance emotions, and rose is sensual and calming.

Water, Water Everywhere
There are many types of water therapies found in spas, around, the globe. Some include:

• Roman bath: hot and cold soaking pools used in a series to relieve pressure on Joints and organs and to help relax muscles and the nervous system,
• Kneipp therapy (German): alternating hot and told, soaks to help, promote circulation.
• Hammam (Turkish): dry or wet heat and cold plunge pools to help detoxify the body.
• Vichy shower (French): warm water sprayed gently over the body while lying on a cushioned treatment table to help stimulate lymphatic and blood circulation.

Cleanse Impurities
A body is supposed to be a temple, but sometimes the way we treat ours is less than holy. Over time, unhealthy habits or casual neglect can leave us in real need of purification. For centuries, muds have been used to detoxify the body and remineralize skin. They can help draw out impurities and smooth and clarify skin, restoring purity to your body.

Mud Application
This ritual is especially enjoyable outside on a warm day, but it can also be done in your bathroom — just be prepared for a little more cleanup. Using your favorite body mud, cover your entire body. You may include your face if you like, but be careful to avoid the eye and lip areas. Make sure the mud is spread evenly over your body. It is not necessary for the application to be thick.

Drying and Purifying
When you have finished applying the mud, relax on a lounge or bed covered with towels while the mud begins to dry (some mud will rub off, so you'll want to cover the bed). As the mud dries, you'll feel your skin tightening. Many muds help draw out impurities and toxins and temporarily tone your skin. After 15 minutes, refresh the mud mask with a body mist (it tends to feel more comfortable if kept moist): in a misting bottle, blend two cups distilled water with five drops each rosemary and orange essential oils (these oils help promote detoxification). Shake well, then spray the mud with the mist until damp.

Warm Rinsing
When the mud has dried again (about 15 minutes after misting) rinse off in a warm shower. Simply use your hands or a washcloth to wipe away the mud; it may take a few minutes to remove it all (you may want to use a nail brush to help clean your hands and feet). Do not use any soap or cleansers, as they may wash away beneficial trace minerals that can help restore your skin.

Emollient Moisturizing
Once you have rinsed away all the mud, pat yourself dry. Using a rich body butter containing an intensive emollient (such as olive oil or shea butter), spread the butter evenly over your body and rub it in. (Do not use this product on your face; it may be too rich.) You might also enjoy a detoxifying beverage or tonic to further cleanse your system (see recipe, below left).

The Clay's The Thing
In addition to the many different kinds of muds used in spas, there are also a number of clays that you may find beneficial:

• French Green: a fine pale green clay from southern France that contains magnesium, dolomite, and silica; it's highly absorbent and makes a good deodorant and cleanser
• Rhassoul: a natural-colored clay from the Atlas mountains; a good hair and body cleanser.
• Kaolin: a fine white powder clay, found in southeast China, that is rich in aluminum silicate; often used as a thickenings ingredient for facial masks and' creams and body masks.

Recipe Body Cleansing Tonic
Squeeze the juice of one grapefruit, one orange, and one lemon into a glass. Add the juice of one garlic clove (use a garlic press), Mix in one tablespoon olive oil and stir vigorously. Drink this tonic early in the morning and don't eat anything for at least one hour afterward; it works to cleanse the lymph system and liver by helping stimulate the elimination of body toxins. It's also important to drink plenty of water when detoxifying.) Drink this tonic for ten days to stimulate your system and rid yourself of built-up toxins.

Love your face
Aging is a four letter word in today's society. People spend millions each year on chemical peels, face-lifts, and Botox injections in hopes of retaining an illusion of youth. Don't buy into that buzz. Natural, toned skin is beautiful at any age. Maintain good skin tone using vitamins, acupressure, and aromatic essential oils. We can't turn back time, but we can love our faces all our lives.

Cream Cleansing
Cleansing is the most important element of facial skin care; unless skin is thoroughly cleansed on a daily basis, it can look dull and lifeless. A mild vitamin E cream cleanser is great for gently washing away make up, pollutants, and other skin dulling residues. Wet your skin with warm water and dispense a quarter sized amount of cleanser onto your fingers; apply it evenly to your face. Massage the lotion into your skin with your fingertips using gentle circular motions; rinse and pat dry.

Acupressure Facial Toning
Give yourself a natural face lift using acupressure. With your middle fingers braced behind your index fingers, press firmly and massage the following points, making six tiny circles at each point: directly between your eyebrows, circling left; one inch above the arches of both eyebrows, circling inward; the fronts of both temples, circling outward; on both cheekbones, just under the far edges of your eyes, circling outward; on either side of your nose at the inner bases of your cheekbones, circling outward; between your nose and upper lip, circling right; and between your lower lip and the bottom of your chin, circling right.

Warm Stone Treatment
Place three smooth flat stones in a bow[ of hot water. Warm them for about ten minutes, then dry them. Lie on a comfortable surface on your back and place one stone below your hairline in the middle of your forehead. Place another between your eyebrows. Place the third between your bottom lip and the end of your chin. The stones help warm acupressure points on your face, releasing muscles and stimulating nerves. Relax and breathe deeply, leaving the stones on your face until they are cool.

Essential Oil Face Balm
For an aromatic and effective skin balm, add 10-15 drops neroli essential oil to one ounce neutral base oil. Grapeseed oil is a great choice because it contains antioxidants; neroli helps soothe and revitalize skin. Pour a tiny amount of the mixture into your palm and rub your hands together briskly to activate the neroli oil. Hold your hands in front of your face and inhale deeply, breathing in the soothing aroma. Then pat your face with your hands and gently spread and massage the oils into your skin.

Recipe Lip Therapy
Your lips have one of the thinnest cell layers of any surface of your body, making them more susceptible to damage. For a soothing overnight remedy, m1elt two teaspoons grated beeswax with ½ tablespoon olive oil. Stir well, then add two drops lavender essential oil. Mix well, allow to cool, and keep the mixture in a seated container. Apply before going to bed; use a lip scuffer or gently wipe your lips with a warm, damp washcloth to exfoliate them prior to application.

Acupressure
Acupressure, like the science of acupuncture, is, based In an ancient, system of targeting the body's energy points and meridians to achieve health benefits. When these energy points are massaged, warmth converts to a minute electrical charge, stimulating muscles, nerves, and the lymphatic system . This helps clear energy pathways (meridians), which run from head to toe and, correspond to different vital organs. Many spas also offer shiatsu massages, based in the same system of energy points, and reflexology, another energy, based treatment.

Smooth Things Out
Healthy looking skin is the basis of an all over glow, and exfoliating once a week is one of the best ways to get it. Scrubs, body glows, and polishes give you a radiant took by exfoliating the dulling, dead cells that build up on the skin's surface. They also help to increase circulation, bringing oxygen to your skin. And if you use a self tanner, it's essential to exfoliate first to achieve a natural look

Aromatic Cleansing
Before you begin a body scrub, cleanse as usual, or by in aromatic bath gel. You can make your own by adding ten drops essential oil to two ounces neutral cleansing gel. Try ginger to help clear a stuffy head; for sensitive skin, use chamomile; sage helps combat oily skin and blemishes; geranium is reputedly excellent for lightening and toning the skin. Squeeze a small amount of gel into your hand and rub it over your entire body. Rinse thoroughly and turn off the shower. Note: do not shave any body hair prior to using a scrub, as some scrubs can irritate just shaved skin.

Exfoliating Scrub
Using an aromatic sugar, sea salt, or nut scrub, scoop a small amount (about two tablespoons) into your hand and begin to exfoliate your skin, starting with your feet and legs, then your arms. Rub the scrub over your skin firmly in circular motions. Pay special attention to areas of particularly dry skin, such as your heels and elbows. Next, exfoliate your buttocks, stomach, back, and chest (decrease pressure when exfoliating more delicate skin). Continue to use circular motions as you scrub, using more product as needed. Do not use scrubs on sunburned or broken skin.

Warm Rinse
If you've chosen to use a scrub that contains essential oils, you may leave the scrub on your skin for five minutes or so to allow the essential oils to penetrate your skin. Turn the shower back on and rinse yourself off with warm water. Use your hands to wipe away the scrub, removing all the salt or sugar. Towel yourself dry.

Hydrating Moisturizer
Some scrubs especially dry salt can deplete your skin of moisture. After you shower, moisturize your newly exfoliated skin with a rich body lotion or oil. Once again, pay close attention to areas where you have especially dry skin, applying more lotion as needed. Daily hydration will help maintain the soft, supple skin that a body glow or scrub reveals.

Therapy Soothing Sun Relief
If you've overindulged in the sun and need relief, help soothe skin with a natural cucumber and aloe chiller. Combine ½ cup aloe vera gel, ½ cup peeled, pureed cucumber, three drops tea tree essential oil, and three drops lavender essential oil, and mix to a smooth consistency. Apply the mixture to the affected areas of your skin. Cucumber cools the heat, tea tree and lavender help damaged skin, and aloe vera soothes while providing an infusion of moisture.

Sun Sense
The sun's harmful UV rays can damage your skin and are known to be the single biggest factor in the development of skin cancers (melanomas).

• Avoid exposure during peak radiation hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, even if you can't see the sun. Cover all areas exposed to the sun-don't forget your ears and the part in your hair.
• For extra protection in direct sun, wear a hat, protective clothes, and UV filtering sunglasses. And remember to protect babies' and young children's tender skin.