What's the hottest beauty bar in the city? Your kitchen, actually! When you consider the number of trendy spa beauty treatments that capitalize on yummy concoctions (and glow-inducing natural elements) like chocolate (in pedicures and body scrubs), maple syrup (body wraps), even caviar (facials), it becomes obvious: there's an apothecary's worth of natural skin boosters in your own kitchen and pantry. So, feed your face with the natural vitamins and enzymes from fresh fruits and veggies and buff your body with dry goods from your cabinets.

Here are some simple and effective recipes. There's only one rule: don't eat the beauty treatments!

Refreshing tub teas
A long herbal tea-infused saltwater soak is perfect if you've just spent hours working in the garden or going on a hike. Tie these ingredients in cheesecloth so they don't clog your drain (teabags tear easily).

Recipe:
• 5 herbal teabags, such as:
Peppermint (energizing)
Chamomile (soothing)
Rosehip (toning)
Lemon verbena (refreshing)
• 3 tablespoons rock salt

Add the sachet while the tub is filling. Soak for at least 15 minutes, and if you're planning to exfoliate rough skin on your elbows, feet and other rough-skin trouble spots, follow the soak with the body-scrub recipe below.

Heavy-duty body scrub
Slough dead skin cells off your alligator zones: heels, soles, elbows and knees. Salt and lemon exfoliate naturally; honey has antiseptic and moisturizing qualities.

Recipe:
• One handful kosher salt
• Honey
• Juice of one-half lemon

Mix ingredients to a pastelike consistency in a bowl, adjusting quantities to attain desired texture, then apply to your trouble spots with gentle circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Moisturize afterwards. Warning: Don't use this on broken or recently shaved skin.

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