Are face masks a part of your beauty routine? If not, they should be.
First, we all need some pampering sometimes! Second, face masks are cheap. You can make face masks with simple, natural ingredients found in your kitchen and adapt it to your skin’s needs, including hydrating, removing excess oil, and tightening pores. Your homemade mask also won’t contain any added chemicals, and it’s better for your skin than pre-prepared masks. Using a face mask two or three times a week is the best asset for achieving radiant and glowing skin overnight for any skin type. If your skin is dry, pick a moisturising mask; it’s important for your skin to keep its glow. If you have oily or combination skin, make sure you don’t produce too much sebum, or your skin will look dull.
There is an overwhelming number of recipes to choose from, and not all face masks are right for your skin type. So take a look at these great recipes for various skin types and pick the one that’s best for you.
For Dry Skin – Avocado & Banana Hydrating Mask
Combining avocado and banana is a great way to deeply moisturise your skin. Avocado oil stimulates collagen metabolism, so it’s a great ingredient to nurture your skin elasticity, while bananas have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Adding coconut oil to the mask can help with the effects of ageing and will also add anti-inflammatory properties. You can always replace it with olive oil if you don’t like the smell or texture of coconut oil.
Ingredients
1/4 avocado
1/2 banana
1 tbsp coconut oil
How to make the mask
In a small bowl, mash the banana and avocado together to form a paste; add coconut oil (if solid, gently warm it up to make it more liquid).
Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eye area.
Leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
Carefully remove the excess with a cotton pad.
Rinse skin with warm water.
For Combination Skin – Charcoal & Yogurt Cleansing Mask
Combination skin can be a nightmare, and it’s very important to regularly unclog your pores to make sure it doesn’t end up looking dull. This mask is great as the lactic acid in yoghurt gently dissolves the layers of dead skin cells on your face, which will let the charcoal get to work, drawing out the oil and dirt that are clogging your pores.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of plain Greek yoghurt, organic and preferably full fat
1-2 activated charcoal capsules
1-2 teaspoons of honey (optional)
How to make the mask
Blend yoghurt, honey, and charcoal together until you get a creamy paste.
Apply to your face and neck.
Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
Apply a good amount of moisturiser.
For Oily Skin – Bentonite Clay & Coffee Exfoliating Mask
This Bentonite clay mask is effective at absorbing excess oil from your skin and unclogging your pores. The coffee is also a nice addition as it helps to remove the build-up of dead skin cells that accumulate on your face. It will also add a glow to your skin, thanks to its antioxidant properties.
Ingredients
1 tbsp Bentonite clay powder
1/2 tbsp coffee grounds
Water to soften clay powder
How to make the mask
In a small bowl, combine clay and a small amount of water to form a paste.
Stir in coffee grounds.
Gently apply mask to your face, avoiding the eye area.
Wait 10–15 minutes.
Carefully peel off.
Rinse skin with warm water.
Apply a light moisturiser.
For Sensitive Skin – Cucumber, Honey & Tea Mask
It’s probably best to avoid coffee if you have sensitive skin and use simple ingredients that are unlikely to irritate it. This mask contains our favourite skin-soothing ingredients, hydrating cucumber, nourishing honey and antioxidant-rich black tea.
Ingredients
Half a cucumber
Organic honey
Loose black tea
How to make the mask
Cut the cucumber into very thin slices and set aside.
In a small pot, steep 1 cup of black tea for at least 5 minutes.
Add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir until dissolved.
Add the cucumber slices to soak for at least 10 minutes.
Scoop the cucumber from the pot and place slices evenly over your face.
Leave the slices on for 10 to 20 minutes before removing.
Rinse your face with warm water.
Apply moisturiser.
For Acneic Skin – Blueberry, Yogurt & Honey Mask
If you have acne, you need a mask with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Both the blueberries and yoghurt in this recipe are natural sources of AHAs, chemical compounds that gently slough away dead skin cells from your face. Adding honey will help soothe your skin while it’s fighting acne-causing bacteria.
Ingredients
1/3 cup blueberries
2 tablespoons plain Greek yoghurt, organic and preferably full fat
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon rice flour for texture
How to make the mask
Mash the blueberries with the yoghurt, and then add the honey.
Apply the mask, avoiding the eye area.
Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.
Apply a light moisturiser.
Also Read: The Best 10 Foods For Glowing Skin
