Got issues with age spots, acne, oily skin or wrinkles? Having radiant skin isn’t only a matter of genes. It also has to do with adopting a well thought out skincare routine which involves cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing your face.
Some people rely on spas to keep a healthy, youthful appearance, but these routine visits can be costly over time. Surely, the results are undeniable, but what if you can get the same benefits with a homemade face mask? Well, that’s why we’re here.
You can mix up an effective homemade facial mask using several ingredients in your kitchen – like avocado, banana, eggs, honey, oatmeal, turmeric, etc.
From dull skin to blemishes, here are some simple recipes to tackle common skin problems.
1. Wrinkles Mask
Steady facial treatments can help eliminate wrinkles and facial lines and promote firmer, tighter, and radiant skin. Use cocoa powder and avocados to help perk up collagen production, and honey to moisturize and soften skin.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Raw honey
- 2 tbsp. Cocoa butter
- 2 Avocados
Procedure
- Put the avocados in a bowl and mash, then add the honey and cocoa powder
- Massage the mask gently over your face and let it dry
- After about 20 minutes, wash off with warm water
2. Acne mask
You’ll agree with me that acne is the most common skin problem everywhere. Zits form when bacteria, dead skin, and oil clog pores, and acne includes blackheads, cysts, nodules, pimples, and whiteheads.
Egg whites can help you solve your acne issue as the protein contained in the whites can help eliminate bacteria on your skin and help stop blemishes as well.
Ingredients
- Two to three egg whites
Procedure
- Break the eggs in a bowl and separate the yolk from the egg white.
- Dab the egg whites on your face using a cotton swab.
- Allow the mask to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes
- Wash off with warm water and a piece of soft fabric and apply a moisturizer.
3. Oily Skin Mask
Oily skin is caused by excess production of sebum (a natural skin oil) by the pores. Oils can clog pores causing acne and inflammation. Lemon can help cleanse the pores as banana absorbs the excess oil on the skin.
Ingredients
- 10 drops of lemon juice oil
- 1 tsp. Extra virgin oil
- 1 banana
Procedure
- Create a liquid paste by mashing the bananas in a bowl and adding the olive oil and lemon juice.
- Gently massage the mask over your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
4. Hyperpigmentation Mask
The darkened areas of skin on our face caused by age, acne or sun damage are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
They can be reduced using dermatological treatments but sometimes, they tend to be costly and may not give you an even skin tone. You can even out your skin tone and save money with a DIY turmeric mask which reduces inflammation as well.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tbsp. Raw honey
- ½ tsp. Turmeric powder
Procedure
- Mix the turmeric powder and raw honey in a bowl to create a paste.
- Massage the paste evenly over your face.
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water.
5. Dry skin mask
A hydrating mask made from cucumber and aloe vera gel will help to retain moisture and reduce itching and dullness on your skin.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Aloe vera gel
- Half a cucumber
Procedure
- Blend your cucumber and mix with the aloe vera gel to create a paste.
- Gently apply the mask over your face.
- Leave it to sit for 30 minutes and wash off with warm water.
6. Clogged pores mask
Baking soda and oatmeal have powerful exfoliating properties, capable of unclogging pores and removing dead skin cells.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. Baking soda.
- 2 tsp. Oatmeal.
Procedures
- Pour the oatmeal and baking soda into a bowl and slowly mix into a paste by adding a few drops of water.
- Apply the paste over your face evenly and leave to dry.
- Once it’s dried, wash off with warm water and apply moisturizer.
The benefits of homemade facial masks on your skin
Face masks can moisturize and replenish your skin. These treatments are effective as the ingredients are able to sit on your face for about 10 to 30 minutes.
The vitamins and nutrients remove the uppermost layer of dead skin, penetrating your skin, and deep cleaning your pores.
Facial masks can cleanse, soften, exfoliate, tighten, and brighten your skin. If you don’t have the time (or ingredients) to whip up a homemade mask, an over-the-counter peel-off or rinse-off mask is also cheaper than visiting a spa.
Peel-off masks are gel-based for deep exfoliating and cleansing. You’ll rub the mask on your skin, then you peel off once it hardens.
Rinse-Off masks involve removal with a cool or warm cloth once it dries. You can also go for a sheet mask. Instead of rubbing a gel or cream, you just place a facial sheet (contains minerals and nutrients) over your face.
Do’s and Don’ts of Homemade facial masks
To maximize the effectiveness of facial masks, here are a few do’s and don’t
Do’s
- Leave the mask on for a duration of 10 to 30 minutes so that the ingredients can penetrate your skin. You can apply before getting in the tub or shower.
- Before applying the mask, wash your face with water and a mild cleanser. This helps the nutrients of the mask penetrate deeper.
- Apply a moisturizer on your skin after washing off the mask.
- When going for an over-the-counter facial mask, choose one that is specific to your skin type. If you have an acne-prone or oily skin, go for an oil-free mask that won’t clog pores.
- Always close your pores after removing the face mask by splashing cold water on your face.
Don’ts
- Do not use face masks every night, only use once or twice a week.
- Do not use/discontinue a mask if it causes you skin irritation or allergic reaction(itching, redness, or rash).
- Leaving a mask on for too long can irritate your skin, so try washing it off on time.
- Do not scrub your face when washing off the mask to avoid redness and irritation.
Bottom line
A regular skincare routine can control oiliness, fight acne, and improve your complexion. But you don’t have to visit a fancy spa to get awesome results. You can make a homemade facial mask using ingredients in your kitchen and give your face the hydration and nourishment it deserves.
