Mask of the Month: Warm Apple Pie

This month's Mask of the Month is dedicated to the Orchard Diva, Allison, at The Life of a Novice, who is busy harvesting bushels of fruit from her gorgeous orchard. She is holding an Apple Harvest Blog Party each Wednesday through October, so please join in and add a link to your favorite apple recipe! So what is it? I truly enjoy reading Allison's blog for inspiring updates on her farm, family and beautiful animals.

This mask is all about comfort and the joy of Fall harvest. As I am writing this, it is a cold, rainy Michigan Fall morning and I am curled up in my fuzzy socks dreaming of our upcoming annual trip to Diehl's Cider Mill for apples and donuts, while listening to Journey Onward by Tina and Her Pony. Divine.

Apples contain pectin and natural sugars that help to smooth, soften and plump up skin. And we all know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, as the fiber helps to keep digestion moving and lower cholesterol. But, at the same time, they cleanse the body and intestines of toxins that also can hang around and cause skin issues.

Oats are soothing and softening to skin.

The oats in this mask are soothing and softening. The honey adds a humectant property to the mask, as it helps to draw moisture from the air into your skin. The cinnamon adds a little punch, helping to rev up your skin's circulation and get nourishing blood flowing to your skin cells (if you are overly sensitive, have reactive skin or rosacea, a sunburn, rash or any other type of irritation, please omit the cinnamon).

Overall, this mask will leave you with smooth, dewy, fresh harvest skin and a cozy warmth. Enjoy it with a mug of warm spiced cider :)

I usually don't really measure stuff. I just eyeball it. :)

Warm Apple Pie
1 T unsweetened applesauce (homemade or jarred)
1 1/2 t oats (ground or whole, I used a mix of both to add some textural interest)
1/2 t raw honey
A teensy, weensy sprinkle of cinnamon (omit for sensitive, reactive or rosacea, sunburn or irritation)

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl with a spoon. Gently heat while stirring in a pan of warm water on the stove until just warmed (not hot!).
2. Apply to freshly cleansed and exfoliated skin. Take care to avoid the eye area, because it sucks to get cinnamon in your eyes.
3. Leave on for 15 minutes (remove immediately and rinse with cool water if you experience any redness or irritation).
4. Rinse with warm water and follow with your favorite toner and protective moisturizer.

For more Fall mask inspiration, check out last October's Mask of the Month: Orchard Dreams.