Today we will talk about a cosmetic procedure that is suitable for all skin types. These are facial compresses.
You will learn how to make a compress at home and what are the benefits of such a procedure.
After all, this product has been used since ancient times, when people still had no idea about facial cleansing, chemical peels and cosmetic masks.
Benefits of a compress for the face
Facial compresses almost instantly normalize the condition of the skin, eliminate signs of fatigue, heal, rejuvenate, nourish, and moisturize. After this procedure, the face looks rested and beautiful.
The procedure uses components of plant or synthetic origin.
The components are selected depending on what procedure is needed - fortification of the integumentary tissues, improvement of the condition of the dermis, removal of inflammation, swelling, cleansing of the skin.
Kinds
There are three main types of facial compress. All of them are predominantly carried out with the addition medicinal oils, herbal tinctures, medicines.
- Lotion (cold compress) – perfectly tones the skin.
- Hot compress for the face (poultice) – accelerates metabolism in the epidermis, deeply cleanses.
- Alternating compress (using hot and cold) – renews the skin, nourishes, tones, tightens pores, prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
How to perform the procedures correctly?
A hot compress acts as a peeling agent and perfectly removes natural abrasives and organic acids. It is often used simultaneously with deep cleansing or before a facial massage.
The warming effect of such a compress improves tissue metabolism, accelerates blood flow and healing processes.
This procedure helps to quickly absorb the nutrients included in the mask, balm, and cream.
Before using the compress, the face must be thoroughly cleaned and then a compress applied for half an hour (15 minutes is enough for dry skin).
The fabric you use for the poultice should be highly absorbent.
It could be a terry towel, flannel, linen. You can use nettle, chamomile, mint, and calendula as components. A chamomile compress will soothe inflamed skin.
Base oils must be preheated. For example, heat cedar, olive or sesame oil and mix it with a few drops of any aromatic oil (jasmine, rose, lavender).
A hot compress is contraindicated for allergies, spider veins, open wounds and severe inflammation.
The main purpose of cold compresses is to reduce pores and tone. Contraindications – thin or excessive sensitive skin. Unlike a hot compress, the skin does not heat up during the procedure.
Its action is aimed at tightening, enhancing regeneration, and eliminating fine wrinkles. Mostly this compress is used after peeling or cleansing the face to enhance the effect.
You can make such compresses with ice cubes, mineral water, and herbal infusions. Must be applied using thin fabric, which absorbs moisture well.
The duration of the procedure is up to 20 minutes; for oily skin, 5 minutes is enough.
Now you know the basic rules of how to apply a compress to your face. Choose the one that suits you best and appreciate all the benefits of such an affordable procedure.
Stay young no matter your age!
How are compresses useful?
Compresses is one of the cosmetic procedures that is beneficial to any skin type. The compress makes your facial skin beautiful and rested, and eliminates signs of fatigue. The compress moisturizes, nourishes, rejuvenates the skin, and also heals. Hot compresses have restorative and tonic properties. They increase blood flow and remove dead skin cells, so they are useful for aging skin, but are contraindicated if there is inflammation or dilated blood vessels on the face.
A cold compress improves complexion and tones the skin. Its advantage over a hot compress is that it is easy and quick to prepare, since ordinary cold water is used.
Therapeutic compresses for oily skin are prepared with hop cones, yarrow, birch buds, and horsetail; for dry skin - with chamomile, sage, mint.
Alcohol compresses are often used for frostbite or very oily skin; they are made with alcohol-containing liquids. Oil compresses are recommended for severe flaking of dry skin.
Recipes for homemade facial compresses
Hot compresses for the face
Mint compress for face
Required: 1 tbsp. l. mint, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over mint, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application.
Compress made from birch catkins
Required: 1 tbsp. birch catkins, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over the earrings, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application
Rose hip compress
Required: 1 tbsp. rose hips, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over the berries, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Elecampane root compress
Required: 1 tbsp. l. chopped elecampane root, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, boil for 10 minutes, strain.
Application.
Compress with calamus
Required: 2 tbsp. l. chopped calamus rhizome, 1 liter of water.
Preparation: Pour the plant material with water, bring to a boil, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the hot broth, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with birch bark
Required: 2 tbsp. l. crushed birch bark, 1 liter of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, boil for 10 minutes, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the hot broth, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Contrasting mint-birch facial compress
Required: 1 tsp each crushed mint and birch leaves, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, leave for 15 minutes, strain. Divide the infusion in half: heat one half and put the other in the refrigerator.
Application. Soak a napkin in the hot infusion and apply it to your face for 30 seconds. Then moisten the second napkin in the cold infusion and apply it to the face for 1 minute. Alternate hot and cold compresses up to 5 times in a row.
Contrast compress with rose and jasmine petals
Required: 1 tbsp. l. crushed rose petals, jasmine, 500 ml water
Preparation: Pour 250 ml of hot water over rose petals, leave for 10 minutes, strain. Prepare the infusion of jasmine petals in the same way and place in the refrigerator. Warm the infusion of rose petals before use.
Application. Soak a napkin in a hot infusion of rose petals and apply to your face for 30 seconds. Then moisten a second napkin in a cold infusion of jasmine petals and apply to the face for 1 minute. Alternate hot and cold compresses up to 10 times in a row.
Cold compresses for the face
Mineral water compress
Required: 100 ml mineral water, 3 ice cubes.
Preparation: add ice to mineral water, moisten a napkin.
Application
Compress with aloe juice
Required: 30 ml aloe juice, 100 ml cold water.
Preparation: mix the juice with water, moisten a napkin.
Application.
Apple juice compress
Required: 60 ml apple juice, 100 ml cold water.
Preparation: mix the juice with water, moisten the napkin.
Application. Put wet wipe on the face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with vegetable juice
Required: 30 ml of cucumber and tomato juice, 100 ml of cold water.
Preparation: mix water with juice, moisten a napkin.
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Therapeutic compresses for the face
Compress with chamomile
Required: 1 tbsp. l. chamomile flowers, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over chamomile, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with calendula flowers
Required: 1 tbsp. l. calendula flowers, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: pour boiling water over the flowers, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with yarrow
Required: 1 tbsp. yarrow, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over yarrow, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with plantain leaves
Required: 1 tbsp. plantain leaves, 150 ml boiling water.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over plantain, leave for 1 hour, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with aloe and honey
Required: 2 - 3 large aloe leaves (at least 1 year old), 3 tbsp. l. honey
Preparation: squeeze juice from aloe, mix with honey.
Application. Soak a napkin in the juice, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes, and wash with warm water.
Compress with linden blossom
Required: 1 tbsp. l. linden blossom, 250 ml water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the linden blossom, leave for 20 minutes, strain, and then heat to about 40 °C.
Application. Soak a napkin in the hot infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with sage leaves
Required: 1 tbsp. l. chopped sage leaves, 250 ml water.
Preparation e: add hot water to the plant material, leave for 30 minutes, strain.
Application.
Currant-apple compress
Required: 0.5 cups of white currants, 1 sour apple.
Preparation: Squeeze the juice from the apple, grind the currants to a pulp, mix everything.
Application.
Lemon-carrot facial compress
Required: half a lemon, 1 carrot.
Preparation: Squeeze juice from lemon and carrots and mix.
Application. Soak a napkin in the mixture, put it on your face, remove it after 5 minutes, and wash with warm water.
Cabbage-strawberry facial compress
Required: 3 - 4 juicy cabbage leaves, 0.5 cups strawberries.
Preparation: Squeeze the juice out of the cabbage, grind the strawberries to a pulp, mix everything.
Application. Soak a napkin in the mixture, place it on your face, remove after 5 minutes, and wash with warm water.
White lily petal compress
Required: 1-2 white lily flowers, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Grind the petals into a paste, add hot water, leave for 20 minutes, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the hot infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Curd and honey compress for face
Required: 200 g cottage cheese, 150 g sour cream, several pitted cherries, 1 tbsp. l. honey
Preparation: Mix the ingredients and grind until smooth.
Application.
Rose-honey facial compress
Required: 0.5 cups crushed rose petals, 3 tbsp. l. sour cream, 1 tsp. honey, 250 ml water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the petals, leave for 6 hours, strain. Mix the resulting infusion with the remaining ingredients.
Application. Place the mixture on gauze folded several times, carefully apply it to your face for 20 minutes, then remove. Wash with warm water.
Dill-chamomile facial compress
Required: 1 tbsp. l. chopped chamomile herb, dill, 1 Aevita capsule, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Add the contents of the capsule to the infusion and mix thoroughly.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Flaxseed compress
Required: 3 tbsp. l. flaxseed, 1 tsp. honey, olive oil, 250 ml water.
Preparation: Crush flaxseed, add hot water, strain. Add honey and oil to the infusion and mix thoroughly.
Application Wash with warm water.
Compress of linden blossom, elderberry and chamomile
Required: 1 tsp each linden blossom, elderberry leaves, chamomile herb, honey, 1 tbsp. l. oatmeal, 250 ml water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Add honey and oatmeal to the infusion and mix thoroughly.
Application
Meadow compress for face
Required: 1 tsp each dandelion leaves, plantain, St. John's wort, 250 ml of water.
Preparation
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with wheatgrass rhizome and viburnum flowers
Required: 1 tsp each crushed wheatgrass rhizome, viburnum flowers, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, leave for 20 minutes, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with coltsfoot and bird cherry leaves
Required: 1 tsp each chopped coltsfoot grass, bird cherry leaves, 250 ml of water.
Preparation: Pour hot water over the plant material, leave for 20 minutes, strain.
Application. Soak a napkin in the infusion, place it on your face, cover with plastic wrap with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, remove after 10 minutes.
Alcohol facial compresses
Compress with alcohol
Required: 20 ml medical alcohol, 40 ml water.
Preparation: mix alcohol with water, moisten a napkin.
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with vodka
Required: 20 ml each of vodka and water.
Preparation: mix vodka with water, heat slightly, moisten a napkin.
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Oil compresses for the face
Olive oil compress
Required: 50 ml olive oil, 4 ml mimosa essential oil.
Preparation
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes. Remove excess oil with a clean napkin.
Compress with corn oil for face
Required: 60 ml corn oil, 3 ml lavender essential oil.
Preparation: heat the oils to an acceptable temperature, moisten the napkin.
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Compress with vegetable oil for face
Required: 70 ml vegetable oil, 3 ml eucalyptus essential oil.
Preparation: heat the oils to an acceptable temperature, moisten the napkin.
Application. Place a damp cloth on your face, cover with a plastic bag, remove after 10 minutes.
Facial compresses are a universal cosmetic procedure, suitable for women of any age with any skin type. Compresses moisturize and nourish the skin, restoring freshness and youth to it. However, their most important advantage is accessibility. Most of the compresses known today can be easily made at home.
Types of compresses
There are many types of homemade facial compresses: hot, cold, medicinal, alcohol, oil.
Hot compresses restore and tone the skin, increase blood flow and remove dead skin cells. Cold ones improve complexion, refresh the skin and allow it to “breathe.” Therapeutic compresses have a healing effect on the skin - they are used for various purposes, ranging from simple prevention of inflammation to the treatment of dermatitis. Alcohols are ideal for caring for oily skin, prone to acne, oily ones perfectly moisturize even very dry and flaky skin.
Terms of use
All compresses (unless otherwise indicated in the recipe) should be kept on the skin for about 10 minutes. To do this, you will need a thick fabric napkin with cutouts for the eyes and polyethylene. Simply soak a napkin in the prepared solution, apply it to your face and cover with plastic (you can use a lunch bag or cling film).
Compresses are best done in the evening, in a calm and quiet environment. To achieve the best effect, you can turn on soothing music or light incense sticks - this will help you relax and get the most out of the procedure.
Hot compresses
Mint compress. Pour boiling water (150 ml) over mint leaves (1 tablespoon). Let the mixture sit for an hour. Strain.
Contrasting rose-jasmine compress. Pour crushed rose petals (1 tablespoon) with hot water (250 ml). Let sit for 10 minutes, then strain. Pour jasmine petals (1 tablespoon) with water (250 ml) and cool in the refrigerator. Take two cloth napkins. Soak one of them in warm rose infusion, the second in cold jasmine. Apply a hot cloth to your face for 30 seconds, then change it to a cold one (hold the cold cloth for about a minute). Alternate compresses at least 10 times in one procedure.
Birch compress. Pour boiling water (150 ml) over birch catkins (1 tablespoon). Wait 1 hour, then strain the infusion.
If you want to enhance the effect of a hot compress, you can replace boiling water with a decoction of any medicinal herb.
Cold compresses
Mineral compress. Add 3 ice cubes to mineral water (100 ml).
Apple compress. Mix freshly squeezed apple juice (60 ml) with cold water (150 ml).
Vegetable compress. Mix cucumber juice (30 ml), ripe tomato juice (30 ml) and cold water (100 ml).
Compress with aloe. Mix aloe juice (30 ml) with cold water (100 ml).
Therapeutic compresses
Chamomile compress. Pour boiling water (150 ml) over chamomile flowers (1 tablespoon). Infuse the mixture for an hour, then strain the infusion.
Linden compress. Pour boiling water (250 ml) over linden blossom (1 tablespoon) and let stand for 20 minutes. After this, strain the infusion and heat it (preferably in a water bath) to 40 °C.
Currant-apple compress. Grind white currant berries (about half a glass) until mushy. Squeeze the juice from 1 sour apple. Mix the ingredients together. Due to the high acid content, it is recommended to keep this compress on the face for no more than 5 minutes.
Alcohol compresses
Vodka compress. Mix vodka and water in equal proportions (20 ml each). Warm the solution slightly.
Alcohol compress. Mix medical alcohol (20 ml) with water (40 ml).
When using alcohol compresses, be sure to make holes in the napkin not only for the eyes, but also for the nose and mouth - the burning liquid should not get on the mucous membranes.
Oil compresses
Olive compress. Olive oil without additives (50 ml) and essential oil Mix mimosas (4 ml) in one container and heat in a water bath.
In cosmetology, compresses are often used to improve the tone of dull skin and to combat wrinkles. This method of care copes perfectly with the first signs of aging. Experts also recommend compresses for the prevention of wrinkles when the skin is still smooth. And at what temperature to do them depends on the characteristics and condition of the epidermis.
Hot compresses: benefits and how to do them
Under its action, blood vessels and pores expand. Blood flow to all layers of the dermis increases. Heat relaxes muscles, stimulates the removal of water and toxins, and removes dead skin particles. After completing all the manipulations, the skin of the face pleases you for a long time with cleanliness, elasticity and tenderness.
Instructions. Prepare a flap of dense and soft fabric: flannel, flannel, linen. Fold the fabric in half and then in half again. Dip for a few seconds in a bowl of heated water (39-42 degrees). Wring the fabric a little so that the water does not flow, and apply it to the skin. It is advisable that the size of the material is sufficient for the face and neck. Hold for 2 minutes and rinse your face with cold water. Gently pat your skin dry with a soft terry towel.
How often to do: You can take a long course every day - for example, in the morning, immediately after washing your face. A hot compress before a cosmetic massage or applying a nourishing and rejuvenating mask is useful. The compress will prepare the skin and enhance the effect of the mask components.
Contraindications: inflamed acne, pustular skin diseases, dilated blood vessels (rosacea), facial redness.
Cold compresses: why and how to do them
This type of compress perfectly tones tired and dull skin. The action is immediate, and the procedure saves you in situations where you need to quickly get yourself in great shape. Also, a cold compress is good in the salon and at home as a final moment after massage, cleansing and superficial peeling, nourishing masks. Cold options tighten the dermis and perfectly eliminate sagging neck and face. In addition, they shrink pores and stop sebum secretion and sweating.
Instructions. Roll a clean, not very thick towel into a strip. Immerse in cold water, then squeeze a little and apply to your face. Hold the towel for 1-2 minutes, during which time it will warm up, then moisten it again with cold water and apply it again for a minute. Try not to hold the compress so that it does not heat up from your hands.
Note: if you alternate hot and cold options in one procedure, this is a double benefit for the skin. When preparing contrasting compresses, you can use not just water, but decoctions of medicinal plants - chamomile, red clover, mint, oregano, calendula, hop cones.
If at the end of the day the skin takes on an unhealthy, tired appearance, becomes sluggish and swollen, eliminate unpleasant symptoms Facial compresses will help. Compresses made from decoctions of medicinal herbs are very effective. Herbal compresses are excellent cosmetic product, toning the skin, improving complexion and restoring a healthy and fresh appearance.
Facial compresses have long been used by both professional cosmetologists and daily care skin care at home. They are suitable for any skin and are often used to eliminate cosmetic problems on the face. For each skin type, suitable complexes of necessary components are used.
Hot compresses from decoctions of medicinal herbs.
Hot compresses cleanse the skin well and remove old dead cells from its surface. They are used for sagging and dry skin, as well as to prevent the appearance of early wrinkles. They should be done no more than twice a week. They increase blood flow to the face, so they should not be used if there is a capillary network on the face. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the temperature of the compresses to thirty to thirty-five degrees. For a hot compress, you need to take a terry towel or a napkin made of flannel or any other dense material measuring thirty by thirty centimeters.
Before applying the compress, clean the skin. Dip a towel or napkin into a hot broth (about 40-42 degrees), squeeze, straighten and gently spread on your face. First on the chin, then on the cheeks, forehead, and eyes. You need to keep it on your face as long as the pleasant feeling of warmth remains. Change the compress two to three times. At the end of the procedure, put a compress of cool water on your face for one to two minutes, wipe your face with lotion or a piece of lemon, then with a piece of ice. To prepare a hot herbal compress, pour four tablespoons of herbal raw materials into two glasses of water, boil and leave for forty minutes. Strain, heat to the desired temperature.
Cold compresses for the face.
This wonderful remedy, toning the facial skin, improving its color and elasticity. Cold compresses tighten the pores, thereby making the skin less oily, and reduce sweating. They are used after applying various masks, massage or cleansing the skin, and are also often used as a toning agent for dull, sagging skin. To do this, moisten a folded towel or napkin with a cold herbal decoction and place it on the face in the same way as a hot compress.
Contrast compresses.
They give the skin freshness and elasticity, as well as cold compresses, tone it, and prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Contrast compresses are very effective for oily, porous skin. For sensitive, dry skin, use moderately hot and not too cold water. For a contrast compress, take two bowls: one with cold water, the other with a hot decoction of herbs. Place a napkin in each bowl. Wring out the napkin with the hot broth and cover your face with it for two to three minutes. Then, change the napkin to a cold one, which is kept on the face for two to three minutes. It is necessary to alternate hot and cold compresses six to eight times, applying a cold one at the end of the procedure.
Herbs used for compresses for oily skin.
1. Yarrow. A compress with its decoction improves complexion, cleanses and tones the skin.
2. St. John's wort. Gives the skin a fresh and healthy look, cleanses and disinfects it.
3. Stinging nettle. Improves metabolic processes, nourishes and softens the skin.
4. A mixture of plantain grass, wormwood and horsetail. Perfectly tones the skin, makes it elastic and firm, relieves irritation.
5. Calendula. Cleanses the skin, relieves inflammation, makes the skin less oily.
6. Collection of dry or fresh rosehip and rose petals. Strain the decoction of the mixture of petals, then add a teaspoon of Kalanchoe juice to the decoction. The compress refreshes and rejuvenates the skin.
7. Collection of flowers of tricolor violet, calendula, cornflower, immortelle herb. Infuse the collection in a thermos for thirty to forty minutes. This compress cleanses and whitens the skin of the face.
For dry skin.
1. A compress with a decoction of linden flowers is useful for dry, aging skin.
2. Peppermint. Gives skin freshness and elasticity.
3. A collection of dried dill, parsley, lemon balm and primrose flowers. The compress improves complexion, nourishes and cleanses dry skin.
4. Collection of yarrow, hops and chamomile flowers. Cleanses, relieves irritation, refreshes.
5. A mixture of chamomile, rosehip and linden flowers reduces dry skin and tones it.
For normal skin faces.
1. Decoction of marshmallow root. Gives the skin tenderness, softness and elasticity.
2. A decoction of birch buds and leaves. Used for aging, fading skin. Improves complexion, eliminates swelling, gives skin elasticity.
3. Sage grass. Removes irritation, softens and rejuvenates the skin.
4. Dry leaves of forest or garden strawberries. It is suitable for aging, sagging skin.
Salt compresses for the face.
The beneficial properties of salt have long been found wide application in cosmetology. Salt compresses improve blood circulation, relieve swelling, smooth out wrinkles, and make the skin firm and elastic.
For a compress, half a tablespoon of sea or table salt dissolve in one liter of hot water. Moisten a napkin in saline solution, squeeze and apply to face and neck. Keep for five to seven minutes, then wash with cool water.
Melt water compresses.
They give the skin freshness, tenderness and softness, saturate the skin with moisture and microelements, heal and rejuvenate it.
Melt water can be obtained by freezing a glass of water in the freezer and then defrosting it. For a compress, add a teaspoon of coarse rock salt and a quarter teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to five hundred milliliters of melt water.
Facial compresses made from protium (structured) water.
This is healing, “living” water. It is an elixir of longevity and health and has antioxidant properties. Compresses with protium water, purified from harmful impurities, rejuvenate the skin, smooth out wrinkles, give it radiance and freshness.
To prepare protium water, boil water in enamel pan place in freezer. When the first ice forms near the walls and on the surface, the water needs to be poured into another container and placed back in the freezer. When the water in the refrigerator freezes halfway, pour out the unfrozen water and defrost the remaining ice in the container. This is protium water, eighty percent purified from impurities. The resulting water is recommended to be used for cold or contrast compresses for all skin types.
