When it comes to facials you do not need to visit a fancy spa for the best results. You can create an at-home spa using all-natural ingredients, while also saving money and time. You most likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry!
One thing to be aware of when creating an at-home face mask, however, is that you need to know how your skin will react to the ingredients. That is why I would recommend doing a “patch test” first. What this entails is to test the mask on the inside of your arm and leave it on as long as you are planning to leave the mask on your face. Then rinse everything off. If you have any reaction such as redness, itching or bumpiness, I will consider using different ingredients.
After you have checked for allergies, mix up your ingredients. The masks are a little messy, so you might want to apply them over a sink. But if you can get past a little messiness, and want to give your skin a little TLC, read on for a few easy at-home face mask recipes.
1. Banana, Baking Soda & Honey – FOR DRY SKIN
Recipe
- ½ ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
A banana mask is not unusual – the ingredient appears in several beauty products, including Glow Recipe’s Banana Souffle Moisturizer and Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright range. According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, the fruit has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties to sooth the skin. Studies have also shown that the fruit is ich in antioxidants, this helps to prevent free radical damage.
The baking soda in the mask works with the banana as an acne-preventing agent. According to studies, baking soda has anti-fungal properties, that could, in turn, combat breakouts. The same is true of honey, thanks to its antimicrobial properties.
Take caution using this mask if you have sensitive skin. The baking soda can cause irritation. Do not use this ingredient more than twice a week. Only leave the mask on for 10min each time.
2. Egg White & Aloe Vera – FOR OILY SKIN
Recipe
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons of fresh Aloe (or, in a pinch, Aloe Vera gel)
I know – it sounds super weird putting a raw egg on your face… But egg whites contain a natural antibacterial that can help prevent clogged pores while absorbing excess oil.
Aloe Vera, the real MVP when it comes to the calming, soothing and hydrating departments. If your skin is overproducing oil because of an irritation, this two-in-one mask can help calm it down.
Only leave this mask on for 10min, then rinse off.
3. Avocado & Coconut Oil – FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Recipe
- ¼ ripe avocado
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Coconut oil and avocado are by far the best face mask ingredients for combination skin. Both coconut oil and avocado have hydrating and oil controlling properties. Coconut oil will not only lubricate dry skin but also smooth out acne and push out the ‘bad’ oils which clog pores and cause skin oiliness.
Avocado is a superfood, rich in potent phytochemicals, healthy fat, natural oils and antioxidants including a hefty serving of vitamin E. It hydrates and nourishes the skin cells and deeply cleanses pores. It also contains anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties which promote youthful soft supple skin.
While coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids such as capric acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid and other antioxidants that condition, repair and nourish skin cells. It deeply penetrates skin pores while at the same hydrating and lubricating the dry skin cells. Your skin gets protected from free radical damage.
Apply the paste for 10-20min
4. FOR NORMAL SKIN
For normal skin type, you can use just about anything. It all depends on what you want to achieve with the facial. I will be giving two examples for normal skin type.
Strawberry, honey, and yogurt – for dull skin
Recipe
- 3 large strawberries
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
“Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that offer skin brightening and anti-aging benefits,” says Trevor Cates, a licensed naturopathic physician in Park City, Utah and author of several books including Clean Skin from Within. And “honey and yogurt provide balancing and nourishing properties.”
Apply to you skin for 20min and then rinse. (NOTE: If you are allergic to berries, use 1/2 cup cubed watermelon in place of the strawberries.)
Apricots & honey – anti-aging
Recipe
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ½ warm water
- 1 tablespoon honey
The DIY apricot face mask is full of vitamin A, which is important for healthy skin, in fact, one of the most popular skin care treatments of all time – retinoids and retinols – are vitamin A derivatives.
Leave this on for 20min and then rinse off. For best results, use your anti-aging facial cream afterwards.
There are many combinations of ingredients to use when it comes to homemade facials. You must determine your skin type first and go from there. If you are struggling to determine what skin type you have, have a look at my blog post which delves into knowing your skin type.
If you are struggling or unsure of the ingredients you want to use in your facial, read up about them and find out what there healing properties are. Google is always your friend.
