Instead of spending money on expensive facial care products, try making your own from all natural ingredients. Best of all, you probably have most of the ingredients either in your kitchen or out in your garden. Regardless of which natural facial mask you choose, remember to leave it on for fifteen to thirty minutes before rinsing off. Make facial masks a part of your skin care regimen at least two or three times a week.
Ingredients and Their Benefits
Some of the natural ingredients used in homemade facial masks include: Yogurt or milk, which contain cultures and enzymes that are good for any type of skin. It is often used as a base which can be personalized with other ingredients depending on your skin type. Bananas, avocados and olive oil help hydrate dry skin. Lemon juice and kiwi works to help reduce oil production, helps clean and tighten pores and reduces the appearance of blemishes. Honey is good for acne prevention since it is antibacterial. Oatmeal helps sooth irritated or itchy skin. And egg whites help mature skin regain elasticity. Salt or sugar can be added to any recipe below to act as a natural exfoliant. Sugar would be the ingredient of choice for those with sensitive skin.
Facial Masks For Smoother Looking Skin
Cucumber and yogurt: Blend half a cucumber (with skin, seeds removed) with one tablespoon of yogurt.
Oatmeal and honey: Mix one third cup of cooked and cooled oatmeal with one fourth cup honey. Add water so that the mixture is not too thick, but still thick enough to remain on the face.
Oatmeal banana facial mask: Mix one tablespoon of dry oatmeal (uncooked), one half of a ripe banana (mashed) and enough yogurt to achieve the desired consistency.
Soothing Facial Masks for Dry Skin
Banana facial mask: Mix one half cup of plain yogurt, one tablespoon of honey and one fourth to one half of of a mashed banana. Any leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator and used when needed.
Cucumber banana: Blend one half of a cucumber (skin on, seeds removed) with one half of a ripe banana. Add one tablespoon of honey and four tablespoons of lemon juice. Make sure honey is at least at room temperature, but it can be warmed up by placing honey in a small bowl, and then placing that bowl in another bowl of hot water.
Cucumber oatmeal facial mask: Blend cucumber (skin on, seed removed) with two tablespoons of honey. You will also need plain yogurt and uncooked oatmeal, but you need to add both ingredients to honey/cucumber mixture until your mixture is thick enough to stay on your face.
Facial Masks for Firmer Looking Skin
Egg and honey facial mask: Mix one egg white with one tablespoon of honey.
Egg treatment: Put the egg whites of one small bowl, and the egg yolk in another. (Optional: add a few drops of lemon juice if you have oily skin). Rub the egg whites on your face, then wait fifteen to thirty minutes for it to dry. Rinse off with warm water. Then rub the egg yolks on your face, wait fifteen to thirty minutes, and rinse. The egg whites firm the skin, the yolk nourishes it.
Facial Masks to Reduce the Appearance of Blemishes
Egg and lemon: Mix one egg yolk, one tablespoon of lemon juice and a few drops of olive oil
Olive oil and lemon facial mask: Mix one half teaspoon olive oil with one fourth teaspoon of lemon juice.
Milk and orange juice: Mix one teaspoon of orange juice with one tablespoon of milk or yogurt.
Pore Cleansing Facial Masks
Cucumber avocado: Coarsely chop one half cup of seeded, peeled cucumber. Coarsely chop one half cup avacado. Mix with two tablespoons of milk.
Avocado facial mask: Mash one ripe avocado and rub directly onto face.
Kiwi oatmeal facial mask: Mash one ripe kiwi with one third cup oatmeal (cooked and cooled).
USE CAREFULLY: As usual, make sure to keep any mixture out of your eyes and do not use any facial recipe that contains ingredients you are allergic to. If you have sensitive skin, test any facial mask on a small, concealable area, such as behind the ear, before using. Also, keep in mind that making homemade facials are fun and using them can help rejuvenate skin, but good skin is really a reflection of what you put inside your body, not on it. Drinking 8 glasses of water and eating fruits and vegetables is the best way for your skin to benefit from the vitamins and minerals that they provide.
