So you want to make your own face mask? Here’s where to start. These ingredients found in most kitchens and medicine cabinets transform skin the way um, nature, intended. Always avoid the eye area, and as with any new skin treatment, test a small amount on the face or neck, first.

Acne Clearing and Prevention Mask

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon calamine lotion

1 teaspoon honey (raw honey is best)

½ teaspoon aloe gel

As an exfoliant, baking soda sloughs away dead skin cells and dirt that can cause breakouts. Calamine lotion soothes irritated blemish-prone skin and its antiseptic properties, just like honey’s, prevent new blemishes from forming. The remaining ingredient, aloe, reduces the size of blemishes and balances the drying effects of the baking soda and calamine lotion.

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a small container or bowl. The mask should be thick yet easy to spread. If too thick, add more aloe. If too runny, add more baking soda.
2. Apply to clean skin, rubbing in a circular motion. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Brightening Skin Mask

Ingredients:

Juice from ¼ of a lemon

2 teaspoons canned pumpkin

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1 vitamin E capsule

1 egg white

The natural acid in lemon brightens dark spots and dull skin. Thanks to exfoliating enzymes, pumpkin also brightens while pumping beta-carotene among other antioxidants into skin. Cinnamon illuminates by stimulating dermal blood flow and egg whites bring the appearance of tightened pores. Hydrating vitamin E moisturizes skin for an overall refreshed look.

Directions:

1. In a small bowl or container, mix the lemon juice, pumpkin, and cinnamon together.
2. Break a vitamin E capsule, and add the liquid to the mixture.
3. In a separate bowl or container, beat the egg white until the texture is thin, but not frothy.
4. Whip the egg white into the rest of the ingredients, and pat the mixture onto clean skin.
5. Remove after 3-7 minutes with warm water. Redness is normal, and should subside after several minutes.

Oily Skin Mask

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons rice flour

1 teaspoon greek yogurt

1 teaspoon aloe gel

Rice flour (sometimes called rice powder) absorbs excess oil on skin, much like how the rice grain absorbs water when cooked. The lactic acid in Greek yogurt acts as a mild exfoliant and the probiotics prevent inflammation. Aloe cools and comforts skin.

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a small bowl or container.
2. Apply to clean skin, and rest for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water to remove.

Calming Skin Mask

Ingredients:

1 washcloth or piece of fabric about the size of a washcloth that you wouldn’t mind staining

1 black tea bag

½ cucumber, sliced

2 tablespoons – ¼ cup rose water

The caffeine in black tea depuffs skin, while cucumber and rose water soothe.

Directions:

1. Boil ½ cup of water. After the water begins to boil, remove from heat and add the black tea bag.
2. After the tea steeps for several minutes, remove the bag and stir in the rose water. Transfer the tea to a medium bowl or container and add the sliced cucumbers and washcloth.
3. Refrigerate until cool, about an hour or so.
4. When the cloth and tea mixture is ready, wring the cloth until it is damp, but not sopping wet. Place over your face and lie down for 5-15 minutes. Pat dry or rinse face with warm water when finished.

Dry Skin Mask

Ingredients:

1/3 of a banana, smashed or pureed in a blender

2 teaspoons honey (raw honey is preferred)

½ teaspoon almond milk

½ – 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil or grapeseed oil

Bananas are rich in vitamins that nourish skin, one of which is vitamin C, a powerful complexion brightener. Honey softens, and the abundance of vitamin E in almond milk moisturizes. Apricot and grapeseed oil are terrific light oils that relieve dry skin.

Directions:

1. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl or container. Add more banana if the texture is too thin.
2. Apply to clean skin, and remove with warm water after 20 minutes.

Background image