Natural Facial Masks

Natural face masks are often made at home using natural ingredients from the grocery store or health food store. Using just a few items from around the house you can make your own scrubs, cleansers and hydrating masks. You have to be careful with your skin type and the types of masks or scrubs you use. Oily or acne prone skin responds best with mud or clay based masks, while those who suffer from dry skin will benefit best from hydrating masks using glycerin, honey and oils.

Purchasing brand name creams, masks or scrubs does not ensure that the products are safe or that they will do exactly what is advertised. Instead, homemade remedies have been used for centuries and the end results have been passed down from generation to generation. They are cost effective, luxurious and even decadent.

Try a chocolate face mask to pull together decadent and cost effective at the same time. Chocolate is filled with tryptophan, an essential amino acid. It helps to stabilize the mood by initiating seritonin release and is very rejuvenating. Cocoa powder is a powerful antioxidant, frees the skin from free radicals and does not cause acne.

Chocolate Face Mask:

1/3 C cocoa
1/4 c. honey
2 tbs of heavy cream
3 tsps of oatmeal powder

mix all the ingredients together and apply gently massaging so the oatmeal can begin exfoliating the dead skin layer. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse.

Oatmeal Facial Masks

These are meant to exfoliate dead skin cells and can be made with moisturizing ingredients too. The following mask has both –

1/2 cup of hot -not boiling – water
1/3 cup quick oatmeal (not long cooking)
2 tbs plain yogurt
2 tbs honey
1 egg white from a small egg

Mix the oatmeal with the water and set aside to thicken. While this is happening mix the other ingredients with a mixer. Add the paste and mix until the mixture is well blended. Apply a thin layer over the face and avoid the eyelids. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Cucumber Face Mask

1 small cucumber
1 cup oatmeal

Make a paste in the food processor. If you have oily skin add 1 tsp yogurt and for dry skin add milk malai and leave on for 30 minutes – then rinse.

Honey Facial Mask

Rinse the face with warm water to open the pores. Apply organic honey and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and then use cold water to close the pores.

Oily Skin Mask

1 tsp brewer\’s yeast
Plain yogurt

Make a thin mixture and apply it to the oily areas of the skin. Leave for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Banana Mask for Wrinkles

Mash 1/4 banana until creamy and apply to the face, avoiding the eyes. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Avocado Facial Mask

Mash the meat of an avocado until creamy. Apply it to the face and leave it on the face for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Cleanser

Split 2-3 grapes and rub the flesh over the face and neck. Rinse with cool water. Follow with a scrub or mask.

Rose Face Mask for Combination Skin

6 fresh rose petals
2 tbs rosewater
1 tbs natural yogurt, room temperature
1 tbs runny honey (warm it in the microwave)

Soak the petals then crush them in a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, mix and apply to the skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes.