Ethical Pampering for New Year's Home Spa

Hello! 

It’s almost time to welcome in the New Year. So I'm reflecting the year gone by and focusing my energies in appreciating what this year has allowed me to learn and experience. And in this mood of thankfulness, cheer and joy what better time is there to pamper yourself in an ethical and organic way that allows you to take in the new year with fresh perspective and a calm sense of relaxing joy and good vibes.

Here’s an easy way to pamper yourself with nature's remedies and ethical skincare products that will leave you feeling great. DIY HOME SPA.

If at all possible, enjoy the benefits of SAUNA and a sauna-whisk called vihta or vasta, which is a bouquet of small birch branches that you massage your skin with by gently hitting yourself while bathing in the sauna. Sounds brutal but I assure you it relaxes the body and soothes the mind. Sauna-whisking helps remove impurities and dirt from the skin. It stimulates the skin's blood circulation while relaxing the muscles and softening the skin. If you can’t get a hold of a VASTA you can wash your hair using Mádara’s vegan organic shampoo to experience a beautiful forest-like aroma therapy sensation while cleaning your hair. Another way to do that is to add a few drops of birch sauna scent to your sauna water bucket and enjoy the aromatic experience. 

Cleanse your skin with ethical and organic skincare products. My favorites at the moment are Mádara’s CLOUDBERRY OAT MILK hand and body soap, COCOA BUTTER shower cream by  The Body Shop and BLACKBERRY WHITE CLAY clarifying face soap by Mádara. When I'm using organic and ethical products, my skin gets the best ingredients without any added harmful chemicals.

cinnamon, indian sugar and honey

Next, allow your skin to absorb nutrients from a FACE MASK using organic and ethical (in my case 100 % Fair trade certificated) honey. Mix three teaspoons of raw honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamon together and apply to your face. You can also use sugar (I use Indian sugar) or coffee grounds instead of cinnamon.

Leave the mask on for 10-30 minutes before washing it off. HYDRATE. Enjoy a glass of cucumber or lemon water, or as I did, a cup of warm Chaga mushroom superfood drink with mint and rose hip by Four Sigma Foods to build up your immunity. 

After you've washed off your DIY organic face mask it’s important to moisturize your skin properly. I recommend using Jojoba oil as your day or overnight facial moisturizer. Use 5-7 drops on your skin as a daytime moisturizer and a little more for overnight mask. If using natural oils on your skin as a moisturizer is a step too far from your comfort zone, use natural and organic cosmetics like Dr. Hauschka. For my combination skin I use Dr. Hauschka’s Melissa day dream to calm, hydrate and balance my complexion. 

And after you've pampered yourself, take some time to meditate and strech lighty, and enjoy the relaxation. Now you're ready to take in the New Year with love, patience, generosity, compassion and forgiveness. 

 By: Jenna