Celebrate National Relaxation Day With DIY Spa Treatments and Subscription Boxes

National Relaxation Day is officially here, and what better way to celebrate than truly “treating yourself” with the most luxurious DIY spa treatments recommended by experts worldwide, alongside the most creatively curated self-care subscription boxes?

6 Subscription Boxes Perfect for the Spa Lover

Here are seven of the best at-home ways to relax and unwind safely in celebration of National Relaxation Day, from Aruba, St. Lucia, San Diego, and more—right in the comfort of your own home.

DIY At-Home Treatments Inspired by the World’s Most Luxurious Destinations

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s Soft Skin Aloe Scrub

Aloe expert Albert de la Cruz manages the Aloe Concierge at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. In this role, Albert leads the DIY Aloe Scrub Bar at the resort's Eforea Spa.

"It’s important to take care of our skin with a regular skin care routine," he says. "Due to the fact that our skin naturally sheds itself daily and visitors to our beautiful island of Aruba are always looking to gain a sun tan, I typically recommend that guests of Eforea Spa do a light scrub in order to prepare their skin ahead of sunbathing. This will result in a more even tan. I also recommend the Aloe Scrub to get rid of any dryness and keep skin amazingly soft, which is especially relevant in this time of frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing."

He offers the following at-home treatment to achieve the softest, healthiest skin:

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel
Brown Sugar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Small bowl
A stick to mix ingredients with

Instructions:

Step 1. Place 1/4 cup of brown sugar in a small bowl.
Step 2. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
Step 3. Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Step 4. Mix all the ingredients together.
Step 5. Gently massage the mixture on your skin to exfoliate.
Step 6. Rinse the scrub off, alternating between cold and warm water.

Silversands Grenada’s Coffee & Honey Body Scrub

Using freshly ground coffee, organic honey, and yogurt, Silversands Grenada’s Coffee & Honey Body Scrub is rich in antioxidants and theobromine enzymes, and an invigorating way to increase blood circulation. It has been said to even help tighten the skin. While the mixture’s caffeine can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, the honey and yogurt are said to contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties believed to be helpful in preventing and healing acne. This coffee and honey body scrub can get blood circulation going after long days of sitting and working from home, or sitting outside to catch some rays in the sunshine.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup Organic Honey
1 cup Coffee Grounds
1 cup Yogurt

Instructions:

Step 1. Mix ingredients together, and apply one tablespoon onto the body to exfoliate the skin.
Step 2. Apply throughout the entire body onto damp skin for easier application in a circular pattern, with medium to heavy pressure
Step 3. On the neck, rub with an upward movement towards the face.
Step 4. Circle back to focus heavier application on areas where the skin is naturally thicker, such as the legs.
Step 5. Rinse off with warm water. Do not use soap, because the yogurt and honey act as natural emollients and the soap will strip the skin of these benefits.

Jade Mountain St. Lucia’s Chocolate Facial

Jade Mountain St. Lucia is a heavenly Carribean getaway that produces delicious chocolate bars and confections in an onsite Chocolate Lab that’s helmed by the property’s chef and dedicated ‘chocolate alchemist.’ With more than 1,000 cacao trees on property, an organic farm where guests can participate in tree-to-bar tours to learn how the cacao is grown and harvested, and an annual Discover Chocolate Festival each December, few properties know as much as Jade Mountain when it comes to producing nature’s sweetest “gift from the gods.”

The property also incorporates chocolate heavily into their spa program, with treatments including a mocha massage, a chocolate facial, “Chocoodhara’ Ayurvedic healing treatments, a hot chocolate candle massage, and more. While staying safe at home, consumers can order Jade Mountain’s chocolate directly from the hotel’s website for safe shipment and delivery to their front door. Now anyone can recreate Jade’s chocolate facial at home with items found in the fridge and pantry. The spa’s at-home DIY “Chocolate Facial” can help to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

“Chocolate really is a comfort food, it makes one feel good. Rich dark chocolate is a mood booster, it offers emotional comfort,” says Allen Susser, the property’s Chef and Chocolatier. “Chocolate promotes positive feelings as it helps in the release of multiple peptides of the brain and gut. Dark chocolate helps in the release of endorphins that affect the brain, and helps induce a calming and soothing effect. Its abundant aromatic flavor seduces our mood and relieves stress within the first bite.”

Ingredients:

1 tbsp of Cocoa Powder
2 tbsp of Aloe Vera Gel
Sugar
Coconut Oil

Instructions:

Step 1. Mix cocoa powder and aloe vera gel.
Step 2. Cleanse the skin with cocoa and aloe mix. (1 tbsp. cocoa + 2 tbsps. aloe)
Step 3. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and coconut oil. (1 tbsp. cocoa + 1 tsp. sugar + 1 tbsp. coconut oil)
Step 4. Apply to face and scrub away dead skin cells.
Step 5. Separately, mix cocoa powder and honey to make the face mask (1 tbsp. cocoa + 1 tbsp. honey)
Step 6. Apply liberally to the skin.
Step 7. After 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water.
Step 8. Repeat as desired.

Subscription Boxes

FabFitFun

FabFitFun is a lifestyle membership that inspires happiness and personal growth through discovery. Its flagship product, the FabFitFun box, delivers a curated collection of full-size products across beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, home, and more to over a million members every season. In each box, FabFitFun members receive a selection of 8-10 products, some of which are curated by their team of experts, while others can be customized based on personal taste and preferences. The FabFitFun box includes full-size products from both well-known and newly emerging brands. Annual members pay $179.99 for a one-year membership and receive perks like early access to sales and customization. Seasonal members pay $49.99 per box. Visit fabfitfun.com to sign up.

TheraBox

Therabox recognizes that self-care is absolutely necessary but looks different to everyone. The idea was created by a therapist, who wanted to make it easy for people to discover and maintain the self-care rituals that inspire their own joy and fulfillment each month. Each box includes a happiness activity meant to be practiced throughout the month (or longer). in addition to 6-8 full-size wellness items to positively impact the mind, body, and soul. Filled with products totaling over $100 in value, these combos are curated to include aromatherapy, natural/organic bath, body, skincare products, and other lifestyle goodies. “Happiness Plans” range from a single month to a full year and cost between $30.99 - $34.99 per box at mytherabox.com.

Aria Kit

Aria Kit is an adorable vegan leather bag filled with locally sourced self-care items originally hailing the Pacific Northwest. The box includes everything needed to relax and rejuvenate, from the Aria solid perfume made by Oregon Rain Naturals, to the Aria all-natural deodorant by Wood’s Body Goods, an Aria moisturizer and lip balm by Handmade La Conner, and a sumptuous eye mask made from the most luxurious silk with a density of 22. There’s even an Aria pocket notebook designed by Seattle artist Cathy Wu to record bullet journal or jot down some wellness to-do’s, and basic self-care necessities such as a hair tie, ear plugs, disposable face mask, Emergen-C, and Q-tips.

Bonus Treatment

Self-Created At-Home Beer Pedicure

This beer pedicure is the ultimate mixture of treating all of the senses, from skin to taste buds. With only 99 calories per can, Saint Archer Brewing Co’s IPA 99 is brewed with American Barley, a touch of crystal malts, and packed with Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops—and is comprised of a combination of guava, pine, and citrus flavors. In addition to being low-calorie, this IPA 99 is brewed to remove gluten, which creates a lower ABV beer, and a great option for staying mindful of healthy habits.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of any type of Beer
1/2 of a Lemon
1 tub of Hot Water
1 can of Saint Archer IPA 99 (for drinking!)

Instructions:

Step 1. Slowly pour together the hot water and beer into the tub.
Step 2. Squeeze in lemon juice from the ½ lemon.
Step 3. Give it a solid mix with a hand or stick.
Step 4. Sit back and soak feet while enjoying an IPA 99 by Saint Archer Brewing Company.

[Images courtesy of brands]

Molly has lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California, studied abroad in Barcelona to perfect her Spanish minor, and earned a degree in journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, before moving to Los Angeles where she currently resides. She's passionate about health and wellness, and happiest when she's traveling or writing (even better if it's both at the same time!) As a creative hobby, Molly runs her own Etsy shop "BeautyTransformed" with personally handmade necklaces, from which a dollar from every purchase goes toward the National Alliance on Mental Illness." Follow her on Instagram: @metropolitanmolly