Pantry Spa Party? I like the sound of that!

For years, spas and salons have been pampering clients with masques, facials and scrubs made with the same food items you have in your pantry and refrigerator.
Don't despair if you can't afford the trip to the spa. Your skin won't suffer if you use the recipes below to retexturize, moisturize and renew your skin. At-home facials are easy. No matter how long it's been since your skin was given first-class treatment, you will benefit from all three recipes.
To prepare for these skin treatments, thoroughly wash your face, neck and decollete. The recipes contain fresh ingredients, so leftovers should be refrigerated and used or thrown out within 48 hours.
When using any new, especially natural, skin treatment, test a little of it on a small patch of skin. If there's no adverse reaction, try it once or twice a week for three weeks to see it makes your skin feel.
Some minor skin eruptions are normal after the first and second treatments as the natural ingredients draw toxins from the skin. This is only temporary, and any eruptions should be small. However, if you think you may be allergic to any ingredients or develop a rash, do not try the masque again.

Pumpkin Masque
A version of the pumpkin masque is showing up on store shelves and on salon menus. Why is it so popular? It could be the yummy pumpkin pie scent, but it's most likely what pumpkin contains. Pumpkin is overflowing with vitamins A and C, along with beta-carotene. The following masque will smell so yummy you might have to fight the temptation to eat it:
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon safflower oil
• 1 egg yolk
Mix ingredients in a small bowl. Massage mixture over your face, avoiding the eyes. Lay back, and let the pumpkin soften and rejuvenate your skin for twenty minutes before washing it off with cool water. Makes one masque.

Avocado Masque
The avocado is a blessing for dry skin, whether you suffer from it year-round or have problems with "winter skin." Avocado softens and renews dry skin and includes vitamins A, C, and E, iron, potassium and niacin. Any avocado provides a skin-coating smoothing, but avocados from California, with its higher oil content, are the best for masques. Sea salt softens skin; yogurt not only creates a smooth, cooling texture for the masque, but it also holds in the skin's moisture.
• 1 cup (approximately) very ripe avocado, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
Mix ingredients into a smooth, cool, light green masque. Slather it on your face, neck and decollete. Relax on your back so the masque doesn't drip. While you're renewing your dry skin, take two slices of avocado and place one on the skin under each eye to reduce puffiness. Leave the masque on 20 minutes, and then wash it off with cool water.

Honey-Oatmeal Masque/Scrub
Honey's antiseptic properties make it a natural to keep faces free from bacteria, and oatmeal provides gentle exfoliation. Leave the mask on for five to ten minutes, and then rub, allowing oatmeal to help remove dead skin. Rinse with tepid water. This is a wonderful lift for all skin types.
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats, finely ground in blender
• 1/4 cup honey
Mix oats and honey into a paste. It will be sticky, so keep your hair away from the masque. Smooth it on your face, neck and chest. Lay down to avoid the masque dripping on your clothes. You will benefit from this recipe immediately if you use it solely as a scrub and wash it off right away. You may also leave the masque on for five to ten minutes. Don't worry, it washes off easily, leaving skin soft and feeling new.

Here are some links for other cool pantry spa recipes!

http://www.life123.com/beauty/spa-treatments/facials/how-to-make-a-yogurt-facial-mask.shtml

http://www.life123.com/beauty/spa-treatments/beauty-tips/homemade-makeup-remover-using-powdered-milk.shtml