Article directly from donorthmag.com
Beauty Hacks from Sap
Article by Nyela Graham
It goes well with waffles, pancakes, french toast, oatmeal and bacon, but what about the shampoo that someone swears by or the lip scrub that cures dry lips? Pure maple syrup has transcended the breakfast plate and splashed into homemade skincare remedies, anti-aging products and hair treatments.
High in Vitamin A and B, vitamins that can improve overall skin health, maple syrup may alleviate dry skin. Vitamin A contains retinol, which has been found to be a stimulant for new cell growth, which can prevent skin from overdrying. Vitamin B has been found to help treat common skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, hyper-pigmentation and acne.
Maple syrup may also give dry hair a boost of moisture. Whether it’s just pure syrup or mixed with other natural ingredients, 100 percent pure maple syrup is the way to go, as hair treatments containing high fructose corn syrup have been found to not have the same effects.
With a plethora of sugar houses and maple farms dispersed throughout the region, there is no shortage of maple syrup on the Adirondack Coast. New York State Maple Weekend falls at the end of March and marks the time of year when sap is typically collected. Syrup is a staple of the region and with these beauty regimen recipes, it can become a key part of anyone’s routine.
Aloe Maple Face Mask
- 1 bowl
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of 100 percent pure maple syrup
- 1 face mask applicator (optional)
Mix the ingredients together in the bowl until combined.
Apply the mask evenly across the face. Avoid the eye and mouth area.
After five minutes the mask will begin to harden and a tightening effect will occur on the pores.
Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Maple Oat Face Mask
- 1 small microwavable bowl
- 1 tablespoon of 100% pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons of finely ground oats
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 10 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- 1 face mask applicator (optional)
Heat milk in a microwavable bowl until it‘s warm, not hot.
Combine the rest of the ingredients with the milk. Allow mixture to cool.
Apply the mask evenly across the face. Avoid the eye and mouth area.
Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water and a cloth.
Vegan Maple Syrup Hair Mask
- 1 bowl
- ½ avocado
- 1 banana
- 1 fork
- 3 tablespoons of almond milk
- 2 tablespoons of 100% pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 comb
- 1 shower cap (optional)
Combine the avocado and banana together in a bowl. Mash them together with a fork until they are evenly combined.
Add the almond milk, maple syrup and olive oil to the banana-avocado mixture.
Apply the hair mask to your hair so that is spread all over. Use your fingers for application and use a comb to evenly distribute the mixture.
Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes. Clips can be used to keep your hair out of your face. The mask will begin to harden and feel crunchy.
Wash the mask out with natural shampoo (water alone will not get it all out of the hair.)
Rose Maple Lip Scrub
- 1 small bowl
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- 3-4 drops of rose water
- 1 teaspoon of maple syrup
Mix the brown sugar and rose water until combined and sugar is crumbled.
Add the maple syrup and mix.
Leave mixture in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Apply on lips in a circular motion.
Pure maple syrup can be purchased throughout the Adirondack Coast and the Clinton County area. Here are some sugar houses on the DoNorth radar to check out:
Bechard’s Sugar House
61 Sanger Lane
West Chazy, NY 12992
518-846-7498
Parker Family Maple Farm
1043 Slosson Road
West Chazy, NY 12992
518-493-6761
About DoNorth
DoNorth: Touring the Adirondack Coast strives to show the splendor of Northern New York’s mountains and lakes to a growing destination travel audience.
Through high-quality photography, design and writing, the pages of DoNorth inspire travelers from Montreal, New York City and Boston to use Clinton County as a jumping off point to immerse themselves in the beauty and excitement of the Champlain Valley and the greater Adirondack region.
The result of a unique partnership between the Adirondack Coast, Visitors Bureau and SUNY Plattsburgh’s journalism department, DoNorth’s pages highlight the wide array of historical, agricultural, arts and recreational tourism opportunities in the area.