10 Ways to Use Cucumbers for Self-Care

 I love growing cucumbers, but I am not the world’s best gardener so some years they are great and others not so wonderful. One year they were all yellow. I think it was all the rain we got. I never really had so many cucumbers that didn’t know what to do with them, but if I did, here are the ways I would use them. Incorporating cucumber into your self-care routine can have many benefits for body and skin.

Photo by Adrian Motroc on Unsplash

Cucumber Mask

Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber

2 tablespoons yogurt

Directions: Blend the cucumber until it’s a smooth consistency. Mix in the yogurt thoroughly. Apply the mixture to your face. Rinse off with lukewarm water after 15 to 20 minutes.

Cucumber for Eyes

Directions: Slice a cucumber into thin slices and cool them in the refrigerator. Put the cucumber slices on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. They can help to reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Cucumber Infused Water

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1 lemon

fresh mint leaves

water

Directions: Slice the cucumber and lemon. Put them in a pitcher of water with a bunch of fresh mint leaves, basil or rosemary. If you prefer fruit, try strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, or pineapple. If you want something a little different, you could try ginger or lavender. Let it infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours. This is a yummy refreshing drink, especially when we’ve become tired of just water.

Cucumber Hair Mask

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1 egg

1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions: Put the cucumber in a blender and blend it until it is smooth. Mix in the egg and olive oil. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair normally with shampoo.

Cucumber Bath Soak

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1 cup Epsom salt

1/2 cup baking soda

Directions: Put the cucumber in a blender and blend it until it is smooth. Fill your bathtub with warm water, then add the cucumber, Epsom salt, and baking soda. Enjoy relaxing in your tub for 20 to 30 minutes.

Cucumber Body Scrub

Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup coconut oil

Directions: Put the cucumber in a blender and blend it until it is smooth. In a bowl, mix the sugar and coconut oil. Use it in the shower, bath, or to wash your hands and it will exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1/4 cup witch hazel

Directions: Blend the cucumber in a blender and strain the juice. Mix the cucumber juice with witch hazel. Pour into a spray bottle.

Cucumber Ice Cubes

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

water

Directions: Put the cucumber in a blender and blend it until it is smooth. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze them. You can use the cucumber ice to rub on your face on hot days or thaw it out later and add with aloe and glycerin to use as a refreshing spray.

Cucumber Foot Soak

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1/2 cup Epsom salt

1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions: Put the cucumber in a blender and blend it until it is smooth. Fill a basin with warm water, then add the blended cucumber, Epsom salt, and lemon juice. Soak your tired feet for 20-30 minutes.

Cucumber Hydrosol

Make your own cucumber hydrosol using a distillation process. If you want instructions, come back this coming Friday. Use it as a facial mist, toner, or hair rinse to refresh and hydrate.