Store-bought facial masks and one-time-use sheet masks are enjoyable for an at-home spa treatment, but they’re expensive with regular use. You can make your own therapeutic face mask with ingredients in your kitchen. Commercial face masks often contain synthetic ingredients and they’re shipped with lots of packaging materials. Making your own face masks is an eco-friendly way to treat yourself without exposing your skin to potential harm.
What’s a Face Mask?
Face masks use plant extracts and other beneficial ingredients to help repair and condition your skin. To make your own face mask, you simply combine the food ingredients in a food processor or blender, or mix them manually with a utensil. Apply the paste to your face immediately and rinse it off after 15 to 20 minutes.
Face masks can help with a range of skin problems, and you can select the ingredients in your face mask according to your skin’s needs. Here are three face mask recipes for all skin types:
Lavender Avocado Face Mask to Hydrate Dry Skin
1 teaspoon organic honey
1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
1/4 ripe avocado
5 drops lavender essential oil
Note: Some essential oils can irritate the skin.
The coconut oil and avocado in this recipe provide essential fatty acids that moisturize and nourish your skin. Organic honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps lock in moisture in the skin, making it softer and more plump [1]. Lavender essential oil has moisturizing and soothing properties. It’s also antimicrobial and it fights hyperpigmentation in the skin to diminish blemishes, acne scars, age spots and sun spots. Plus, you get the relaxing effects of aromatherapy!
Turmeric Yogurt Face Mask for Glowing Skin
1 tablespoon natural, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon organic honey
1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
The lactic acid in yogurt acts as a natural exfoliant, clearing away the outermost layer of skin cells to uncover younger, healthier skin [2]. Honey moisturizes, nourishes with antioxidants and has a microbicidal effect [1]. Turmeric has been shown in studies to treat numerous skin conditions through its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing hyperpigmentation it helps smooth out your skin tone and give you a healthy glow [3].
Papaya Egg Face Mask to Exfoliate and Cleanse
1/2 cup mashed papaya
1 whipped egg white
1 teaspoon organic honey
Papaya is chock full of natural enzymes that clear away dead skin cells. This luscious tropical fruit is also a source of antioxidants. In fact, papaya is shown in lab research to protect human skin against sun damage and oxidative stress [5].
Egg whites have natural astringent properties, which help clear away impurities, tighten skin and shrink large pores. There’s also a bactericidal enzyme in egg whites called lysozyme that can help acne clear up faster [6].
Homemade Face Mask Tips
Apply the face mask immediately after combining the ingredients. Use either your fingers, a paint brush or a cotton ball to spread the mixture evenly on your face, avoiding the eye area. Sit back and relax while wearing a homemade facemask, to minimize the mess and maximize the absorption into your skin.
Food is one of the safest ingredients to put on your skin. Essential oils, on the other hand, are highly concentrated. Lavender is considered safe for topical use and has low toxicity [4]. However, some essential oils can irritate skin, so it’s important to select carefully.
References:
1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/
2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/
3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27213821/
4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5878871/