We’ve all desired skin like the kind models in skincare product commercials have. And, most of us have perfected the cleansing-toning-moisturising routine. But, stress, pollution, and sun damage can take a toll on our skin anyway.
Skin masks shouldn’t just be reserved for pampering sessions and sleepovers. They’re great for your skin and give it much needed hydration. And, while you could scroll through online stores to find a highly recommended option, why not make one yourself? Here are 4 face masks that you can make at home.
1. Clay And Jojoba Oil Mask
Clay has been a popular ingredient in skincare across centuries. It is used to remove oils, secretions, toxins, and contaminants from the skin. Its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties also heal skin infections and clear blemishes.1
However, since clay strips the skin of moisture, it’s important to pair it with something moisturizing like jojoba oil. It is used to heal skin infections, reverse skin aging, and aid in wound healing.2 Together, these ingredients make for a great acne-busting face pack. Here’s how you can go about making one.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon powdered clay
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 2 tablespoons water (or rosewater)
Procedure
- Milk water and clay in a ceramic or glass bowl until a thick paste is formed. Add more liquid if the paste is too clumpy.
- Add jojoba oil.
Apply this paste on your face and leave it on for 8–10 minutes. Be sure to not let the paste dry entirely. Wash the mask off and apply a moisturizer on your skin. Studies show that this combination treats mild acne.3
2. Yogurt And Prickly Pear Mask
Yogurt is a popular ingredient in DIY skincare recipes. True to this, yogurt is used in skincare for healthy skin. Prickly pear, meanwhile, is a plant of the cacti family that is popular in folk medicine for its healing effects on skin. It also treats skin disorders and protects skin from UV damage.4 5 Here’s how you can combine the two in a mask.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons yogurt
- 2 teaspoons prickly pear powder or oil
- few tablespoons of water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until thick.
- If you’d like the mask to be runny, add more water.
- If you’d like the mask to be thick, add less water.
Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on for 5 minutes. Studies have shown that this combination improves the moisture, brightness, and elasticity of skin. However we’re treading uncharted waters with prickly pear so be sure to do a patch test before you apply it on your skin.6
3. Turmeric And Yogurt Mask
To say that turmeric is a popular spice would be an understatement. While its health benefits are aplenty, topical application of turmeric promotes glowing skin. In Ayurveda, it is used to rid the skin of blemishes and sunburn.7
However, turmeric might sting if you apply it directly, so you could dilute it with yogurt which comes with its own skin benefits. You could also add honey, which fights wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections.8 Here’s how you can go about making this mask.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon honey
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Adjust the measurements according to desired consistency.
Leave this mask on your skin for 30 minutes and wash it off. Follow it up with a good moisturizer.
4. Aloe Vera Mask
We couldn’t talk about skincare and not include aloe vera. This popular ingredient is known for its moisturizing, anti inflammatory, and anti ageing properties. If your skin feels dry and in desperate need of some hydration, this face mask is a good option.9
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Procedure
- Add the ingredients to a bowl until a thick paste is formed.
- Add the honey (if you’ve opted for it) and mix it in well.
- If the paste is too sticky, add another teaspoon of yogurt.
Leave this mask on for 5 minutes and then wash it off. Repeat every week for some much needed moisture and glow.
As with most skincare recipes, it’s important to do a patch test before you apply any of these masks on your face. Experiment with masks to see which suit your skin the best. And lastly, the best part about DIY masks is that you don’t have to stick to the recipe, so feel free to get creative with ingredients.
References
| ↑1 | Williams, Lynda B., and Shelley E. Haydel. “Evaluation of the medicinal use of clay minerals as antibacterial agents.” International geology review 52, no. 7-8 (2010): 745-770. |
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| ↑2 | Pazyar, N., R. Yaghoobi, M. R. Ghassemi, A. Kazerouni, E. Rafeie, and N. Jamshydian. “Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review.” G Ital Dermatol Venereol 148, no. 6 (2013): 687-691. |
| ↑3 | Meier, Larissa, Rainer Stange, Andreas Michalsen, and Bernhard Uehleke. “Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne–results of a prospective, observational pilot study.” Complementary Medicine Research 19, no. 2 (2012): 75-79. |
| ↑4 | Vaughn, Alexandra R., and Raja K. Sivamani. “Effects of Fermented Dairy Products on Skin: A Systematic Review.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 21, no. 7 (2015): 380-385. |
| ↑5 | Park, Kyungmi, Hyeon-Son Choi, Yang Hee Hong, Eun Young Jung, and Hyung Joo Suh. “Cactus cladodes (Opuntia humifusa) extract minimizes the effects of UV irradiation on keratinocytes and hairless mice.” Pharmaceutical biology 55, no. 1 (2017): 1032-1040. |
| ↑6 | Yeom, Gyoseon, Dae-Myoung Yun, Yun-Won Kang, Ji-Sook Kwon, In-Oh Kang, and Sun Yeou Kim. “Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf.(F-YOP).” Journal of cosmetic science 62, no. 5 (2011): 505-514. |
| ↑7 | Dueep Singh, John Davidson. Introduction to Ayurveda – Keeping Healthy the Ancient Way. Mendon Cottage Books. 2015 |
| ↑8 | Burlando, Bruno, and Laura Cornara. “Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology 12, no. 4 (2013): 306-313. |
| ↑9 | Surjushe, Amar, Resham Vasani, and D. G. Saple. “Aloe vera: A short review.” Indian journal of dermatology 53, no. 4 (2008): 163. |