KITCHEN BEAUTICIAN: 5 DIY FACE MASK RECIPES

Does the seasonal shift make your skin go crazy? Why not take some time for self care with one of these DIY face mask recipes. They are cheap, easy, and doable with what you’ve got lying around the fridge and cupboard. Using natural ingredients helps you to maximize nutrient density and freshness, while also avoiding toxic chemicals found in various beauty products that are poisoning our oceans.

Run the bath, and try mixing up a few of these healthy face potions that your skin will love.

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Apply to face avoiding eyes and mouth areas.
3. Put your feet up and relax for 15 minutes.
4. Cleanse face with water.
5. Pat face dry, and moisturize!

1. Avocado Squash Mask – For skin that needs a boost

• 1/2 cup cooked butternut squash, pureed
• 1/4 fresh avocado, mashed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Dash of paprika

Butternut squash is filled with vitamins A and C, which help boost collagen production for a smoother, softer complexion. The avocado moisturizes, while the natural antibacterial properties in honey help fight off acne. The dash of paprika will add some spice to your mask, flushing out impurities from the tissue and leaving you with a rosy glow!

2. Cucumber Mask – For relief for rough and uneven skin

• 1/2 cucumber, pureed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon ground coffee beans

Cucumber has a lovely cooling effect, and contains ascorbic acid which reduces puffiness around the eyes. Milk hydrates and soothes rough and irritated skin, while the ground coffee works as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, and tightens up a tired complexion.

3. Yogurt Mask – For sensitive skin

• 1 tablespoon yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• Few drops of lavender essential oil

If you’ve got sensitive skin, using organic, probiotic plain yogurt is the perfect option for a gentle enough base that won’t irritate your skin. The lactic acid in yogurt acts as a gentle exfoliator, prevents acne, and diminishes wrinkles. The cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants that work to repair your skin, while the honey acts as a tightening agent. The lavender oil is optional, but if you have some laying around, it will most definitely enhance your at-home aromatherapy experience.

4. Banana Mask – For Dry Skin

• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Okay, seriously, is there anything banana isn’t good for?  Banana milk, banana tea, and now banana mask?! But it’s true, bananas are amazing for moisturizing your skin – especially when paired with honey and olive oil.

5. Oatmeal Mask – TLC for oily skin

• 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, cooled (duh)
• 1 egg white
• I teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

You might have some reservations about putting egg whites on your face, but egg whites can be especially helpful to oily skin, as they tighten large pores and hair follicles that secrete too much sebum. The oatmeal will absorb and remove excess oil from your skin, while gently exfoliating to leave your skin feeling soft. The honey and cinnamon will add some sweetness to your mask, while unclogging pores and and brightening up your complexion.

Let us know how these recipes work out for you, and feel free to share any of your own!