3 Ways to Turn Valentine Leftovers into DIY Spa Treatments

Valentine’s Day is a holiday all about the love, and lovers have been showing their affection to each other in the form of flowers, gifts, chocolates and cards since as early as the 18th century. While getting a nice set of jewels is one way to send some hearts a-flutter, others might appreciate a proper pampering to get themselves in a romantic mood.

When most people think of their go-to Valentine’s Day gifts, roses, chocolate and champagne top the list. After the holiday is over, these displays of affection can still keep spreading the love when paired with a little creativity and a few extra minutes. These decadent delights for the skin can make for an act of self-love and care that your complexion will be feeling well into the next week!

Here’s how to treat your skin to some love with these creative takes on some Valentine’s Day favorites - a truly sweet treat to pair with an existing AcnEase® treatment to ensure healthy skin, from the inside out. And feel free to enjoy one of these treatments or all three together!

Romantic Rosewater Salt Body Scrub

Made from distilling rose petals in water, rose water has been used to calm and heal the skin for hundreds of years. You can make your own rose water by removing the petals from one rose and gently boiling them in 1 cup of water for 3-5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool before using. Because rose water tends to increase oil production, we recommend using this scrub on the body to slough away dead skin, rather than the face. Adding anti-inflammatory honey and skin-soothing olive or jojoba oil, this exfoliating scrub can treat dry skin to a much-needed drink of moisture, a real treat on these dry, windy winter months. Whether treating your entire body to a steamy soak in the tub, or massaging hard working hands and feet after a long week, the scent and silky texture of this scrub will leave your skin swooning.

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp rose water 
• 2-3 drops rose essential oil (optional)
• 1 tbsp organic honey
• 1 tbsp olive or jojoba oil

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Massage onto skin, using circular motions for about 5 minutes. Rinse away with warm water, and pat skin dry with a clean towel. Keep any remaining mixture in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Note: If you suffer from body acne, we know how difficult it is to treat with conventional methods. AcnEase’s® body acne treatment works from the inside out 24/7 to treat body acne (body, shoulders, back, derrière) at the root.

Melt Your Heart Chocolate Mask

When most people with acne think of chocolate, alarms go off, warning them to stay as far away as possible! But the right kind of chocolate (dark) actually comes with a wealth of benefits for the skin, assuming you don’t overindulge – meaning, there are ways to stay clear while enjoying chocolate even with acne prone skin. Rich in skin-soothing vitamins and minerals, the benefits of chocolate don’t have to end at its sweet taste, and applying directly to a clean complexion can come with a wealth of benefits.

• 2 tbsp organic unsweetened cocoa powder (baking chocolate)
• 2 tbsp organic honey
• dash of cinnamon (see note below)

Mix ingredients in a small bowl, adding a few drops of water if the consistency is too thick. Apply to a clean face and décolletage using gentle, massage-like motions. Leave on skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Note: If you have Rosacea, do not add cinnamon.

Champagne Cherub-Cheeks Toner

Washing your face with champagne might sound highly over-indulgent to the average person, but it only takes a sip’s worth to balance and tone the surface of the skin! The reason most toners and acne-treatment washes tend to dry out skin is due to the alcohol content found within the solution. Champagne, made from fermented grapes, not only contains antioxidant properties, but comes with a lower percentage of alcohol than the typical variations one might find in store-bought toners. The effervescent bubbling of this toner leaves the skin feeling extra-clean, without over-drying.

Simply pour a small bit of champagne into a dish, then dip a cotton ball in until soaked with the liquid. Gently wipe over face, then follow with your usual moisturizer.

Of course, an all-out spa treatment is a great way to show your skin some self-love on a holiday like Valentine’s Day, but extra special treatment doesn’t have to happen only once a year. Keeping acne-prone skin blemish-free takes work, and a systemic solution like AcnEase® does the work for you, 24/7, whether you have time to indulge in the holiday or not.

We want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite Valentine’s Day gifts to give and receive? Tell us in the comments below!