Cool, Calm, Hydrating — A Summer Tonic for Your Skin

Chilled Cucumber Tonic
Chilled cucumber juice is ever-so-soothing, calming, and hydrating. It’s a classic for reducing swollen under eye “bags” and for helping skin recover from drying airplane travel. 

Recommended for: all skin types, especially irritated, inflamed, dehydrated, sunburned, windburned, or itchy skin
Use: daily or when cucumbers are fresh and in season
Follow with: moisturizer
Prep time: approximately 10 minutes
Blending tools: blender
Store in: small plastic or glass jar
Yield: varies; ¼ to 1/3 cup juice, depending on type and ripeness of cucumber

Ingredients
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cubed
2 tablespoons distilled or purified water

Directions

1. Prepare the cucumber and place in a blender with water. Blend on medium or pulse if necessary until a thick, juicy pulp forms. Transfer the pulp into a strainer and catch the juice in a bowl. 
2. Pour the juice into a storage container.
3. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, then discard.  

Application tips: Using a cotton cleansing pad, apply approximately 1 teaspoon of juice to the face or more as necessary for other parts of the body. Avoid eye area.

Excerpted from Organic Body Care Recipes © 2007 by Stephanie Tourles. All rights reserved.

Visit Stephanie at www.stephanietourles.com

Stephanie Tourles is a licensed holistic esthetician, certified aromatherapist, and gardener with training in Western and Ayurvedic herbalism. She is the author of eight books, including Hands-On Healing Remedies, Organic Body Care Recipes; Raw Energy; Naturally Healthy Skin; 365 Ways to Energize Mind, Body & Soul; and Natural Foot Care. She lives in Orland, Maine.