“New year, new you” — or so everyone seems to say. While we mostly feel the same as 4 days ago last year, there are definitely perks in treating yourself to a DIY spa afternoon. The obvious one is to prep for a return to work, school, whatever you’ve got going on. Wouldn’t you like start off 2012 with relaxed, fresh skin rather than a blemished, flaky, overpartied and overslept face? Of course, so I compiled a set of at-home remedies to make with ingredients stocked in your pantry.

Step 1: Mimic the luxurious effect of a steam room with a stove top.

What you need: water, a pot, and any herbal mixture below or your favorite essential oil

For dry skin: rose or chamomile
For normal skin: rose or lavender
For oily skin: rosemary or sage
For dull or acne prone skin: comfrey

Start with clean skin. Bring a couple quarts of water (measurement really isn’t important) to a boil. Remove from the stove and put on a heat resistant surface. Add your herbs or oils and stir them in. Place your face approximately 9-12 inches from the pot with a towel covering your head to trap in the steam. Remain in this position as long as is comfortable, several minutes should be enough to open your pores. Wipe your face dry. Now you’re relaxed with skin prepped for a mask!

[face steam instructions via BlogHer]

Step 2: Use a homemade face mask featuring either cranberries to combat aging OR a honey-chocolate blend to treat all skin woes (honey fights acne-causing microbes and moisturizes, while chocolate imparts antioxidants for all around goodness).

Cranberry Antiaging Mask

What you need: 1 cup fresh cranberries
, 1 cup seedless red grapes
, 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice, 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

Mix ingredients until they turn into a paste. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes and let thicken. Remove from the fridge and let sit about 10 minutes. Spread the mixture on clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

[recipe via Refinery29, by Erika of Bonding Over Beauty]

Honey-Chocolate Mask

What you need: honey and high-quality cocoa powder

This is actually the simplest mask EVER. Mix a couple tablespoons of the cocoa powder with as much honey as you need to cover your face, and spread it on your skin with clean fingers. Leave it for about 15 minutes, then gently wipe off with a warm, damp towel. Voila! Glowing skin.

[via Totally Money]

Step 3: Plump your pout with this quick lip scrub!

What you need: more honey, sugar, and olive oil

Combine all 3 ingredients together and apply in a circular motion on your lips. Wipe off after a couple minutes (and don’t scrub too hard!). Lucky for you, this treatment tastes much better than a toothbrush and baking soda formula!

[via The Fashion Spot]

Step 4: There is no step 4! Time for you to kick back and read glossies, watch TV, or do whatever it is that helps you unwind. Happy 2012!

[all images via Pinterest]