Splish, splash: Ideas for at-home pampering

Winter weather is on the way-- is your skin ready?

Stacey Peters, who makes all-natural bath products at Brickhouse Soaps in Cape Girardeau, says many nourishing products can be found right in your kitchen or the nearest grocery aisle. Here are some of her ideas:

For acne ...

"For those of us who experience acne, a mask made from mashed fresh strawberries can do the trick," says Peters. "It's easy and cheap, but only leave it on for a maximum of about 10 minutes, because it contains natural acid."

For moisture ...

Mash up an avocado, spread it on your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off.

"I have started using avocado oil in my whipped body butter because it is very nutrient-rich and full of unsaturated fats that are good for our skin," says Peters.

Avocado also works great as a hair mask, and it's cheaper than coconut oil, she adds: Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it out in the shower.

For exfoliation ...

All you need for a face scrub is a little sugar and your normal face wash.

"Simply wet your face over the sink and mix a little white or brown sugar in your face wash and gently rub onto your face for a few minutes, then rinse, taking care to not get it into your eyes," says Peters. "You could also substitute mashed strawberries for the face wash if you wanted a scrub that works to fight acne."

To fight dry, winter skin, you'll also want to use a scrub on your body, especially rough areas like elbows, knees and feet.

Peters suggests a mix of brown sugar, coffee grounds and a little olive oil. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and sit on the side of the bathtub as you rub the mixture onto your body. When you're done, wash off in the shower and then apply a lotion or body butter.

For the bath ...

Add a few drops of an essential oil to your bathwater to either relax or energize you. A few other suggestions from Peters: Ginger powder to get rid of toxins and relax muscles; powdered green tea to get rid of toxins; or nut milk to nourish and moisturize the skin. Just steer clear of anything containing cinnamon if you have sensitive skin, warns Peters.

For your hair ...

Hair products containing Argan and Moroccan oils are getting rave reviews, but they also tend to be pricey. Peters says plenty of oils are available at grocery and health food stores for a fraction of the price. For healthy, shiny hair, try applying coconut, olive or grape seed oil. Sage and tea tree oils work well for dandruff or psoriasis, says Peters, but must be diluted before use.

Find Stacey at www.facebook.com/BrickhouseSoaps for more tips or to check out her readymade products.