Good face masks are an integral part of every skincare routine. They are a great way to pamper and deep clean your skin to give it a real radiance boost. However, they can be a bit pricey; especially when you use them regularly. But, if you still want to give your skin some TLC, why not make a spa-worthy, homemade face mask that you can whip up yourself in no-time?
The best part about making these masks yourself is that you can custom make it suit your skin’s needs and target your problem areas. There are many forms of face masks as when it comes to skincare, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all product that works for everyone. We all face different skin issues depending on our skin type. While for some skin types the problems may be oiliness or wrinkles, for others it could be blemishes or acne scars. So, we’ll show you how to combine the best ingredients to make the perfect face mask for each skin type.
We’ve selected the best natural ingredients that will target the issues of each skin type to treat it gently and effectively.
Keep reading as we show you how to create these quick and easy face masks without the added chemicals…or the price tag.
How to Make the Face Masks
The best way to figure out which mask will help your skin the most, identify your skin type first. We’ve listed each skin type below, along with the best mask to use for best results.
Easy peasy!
Skin Type: Oily
This type of skin produces excess oils from the overactive sebum glands. This can cause frequent breakouts and cause the excessive shine to the skin. However, oily skin shouldn’t be stripped of its natural oils. This can actually make the problem worse. So, the key is to hydrate the skin and retain the natural oils to avoid drying it out.
What to Use: Honey and Brown Sugar Face Masks
While brown sugar and honey can be used as great sweeteners, it can also double as great exfoliating ingredients too. Brown sugar can gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells that clog the pores. However, it won’t remove any beneficial natural oils from the skin, making it great for those with an oily complexion. Honey, on the other hand, is a natural absorbent. This means that can suck away any excess oil and impurities from the skin while lubricating it to keep it hydrated.
Make sure you use raw honey when making face masks. The ones you purchase from stores may contain preservatives and toxins which aren’t great for the skin.
So be sure to read the labels properly to ensure the honey is as natural as possible.
How to Make It
Mix one tablespoon of brown sugar with a tablespoon of honey. Make sure you mix it well so there aren’t any chunks that can scratch the skin. Once you have applied an even layer, leave it on for 10 minutes. Before you wash it off, rub the mask into the skin in a circular motion to exfoliate it well. Then, just rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Skin Type: Dry
Dry skin is caused by a thin protective layer of the skin, which results in moisture being evaporated from the surface of the skin. This can cause the skin to become rough, tight, itchy and even flaky. What dry skin types need is a hydrating mask for a much-needed moisture boost.
What to Use: Avocado, Honey and Yogurt Face Masks
Avocado is among the best ingredients known to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. It adds essential hydration to dry skin to keep it nice and moisturised. Meanwhile, the lactic acid in yoghurt acts as a natural exfoliate to deep cleanse the skin, while the honey provides extra nourishment to heal and hydrate.
How to Make It
To make this face mask, mash half an avocado and combine it with a tablespoon of plain yoghurt and a teaspoon of honey. Then, mix it all together until it becomes a smooth, creamy paste.
Once it is all combined together, apply it to the face and let it sit for 15 minutes. When you wash it off, your skin should feel instantly soft and supple.
Suggested Article: Dry Lips: Combat Chapped Lips This Winter with the Best Natural DIY Remedies.
Skin Type: Sensitive
Sensitive skin is just begging for calming ingredients that soothe and treat rashes, irritation, and breakouts. This skin type can become easily irritated, therefore needs the gentlest of ingredients that can heal the skin without causing a nasty reaction.
What to Use: Yogurt, Oatmeal and Honey Face Masks
Yoghurt is incredibly gentle on the skin, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin types. It is high in zinc contents to keep spots and blemishes at bay while improving the appearance of pores. The oatmeal, however, soothes irritation on the skin, while working as a natural exfoliate to gently remove dead skin cells.
Honey, on the other hand, contains both anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties to keep your skin nice and nourished. These ingredients combined make the perfect, gentle face mask that soothes the skin.
How to Make It
Start off by adding one tablespoon of ground oatmeal to a bowl. If the oatmeal isn’t ground, give them a quick whizz in a blender or food processor to grind it up. Next, add a tablespoon of yoghurt and teaspoon of honey to the mix. Apply it evenly on your face and let it sit until the mask is completely dry. Then, gently wash the mask off with lukewarm water to reveal nourished skin.
Suggested Article: The Best Hair Removal Methods for Sensitive Skin.
Skin Type: Acne Prone
Acne-prone skin develops after an unbalance in moisture levels in the body. This skin type is prone to regular breakouts in the form of pimples, clogged pores deep underneath the skin.
What to Use: Gram Flour, Turmeric, and Milk Masks
Gram flour, (aka chickpea flour), is great for acne-prone skin as it absorbs, as well as, removes excess oil from deep within the face without drying it out. The turmeric is added to the mask because of its ability to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria. In addition to this, it can contain anti-inflammatory properties to promote skin healing that has been damaged by breakouts.
Yoghurt is added to the mix as it can help to dissolve dead skin called that clog pores to cause more acne.
How to Make It
Mix together one tablespoon of gram flour with a tablespoon of yoghurt and half a tablespoon of turmeric. Then, apply it to the skin and leave it on for fifteen minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
Be careful not to leave it on too long as turmeric has staining properties that can give the skin a slight yellowish hue.
Suggested Article: How To Tell If Your Diet Is Making Your Acne Worse.
Skin Type: Combination
Combination skin can be quite tricky as it is usually oily on the T-zone area and dry on other parts of the face, particularly the cheeks and under-eye area. Therefore, to combat both problems you need a mask that can equally treat both skin issues without making either worse.
What to Use: Egg White and Yogurt Face Masks
Egg whites are the best ingredient for tightening large pores and controlling oil production without drying out the skin. The yoghurt, however, contains essential B vitamins and calcium that keeps the skin moisturised and nourished to treat the dry parts off the face.
How to Make It
Start off by carefully separating the egg whites from the yolk into a clean bowl. Then, beat the egg whites with a whisk or fork until it becomes frothy. Next, combine the egg mixture with one tablespoon of plain yoghurt and mix it well together. Once the ingredients are mixed together well, apply it to the face and let it sit until the mask is completely dry. Then, simply wash it off and finish off by applying a hydrating moisturiser all over your face.
Suggested Article: Our Best Facial Oil Serum For Every Skin Type.
Skin Type: Mature
Mature skin can suffer from fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Alongside this, the ageing can also loose the skin to produce less collagen that causes the skin to lose it elasticity. Therefore, you need a firming or lifting face mask that will leave you looking radiant and youthful.
What to Use: Banana and Honey Face Masks
Bananas are incredibly nourishing fruits, packed with nutrients for the skin. Not only do they contain anti-ageing properties to keep the skin youthful, but it is also loaded with vitamins A and E to help fight the existing fine line and wrinkles on the skin. However, honey can help to protect against ageing skin, as it contains B vitamins that can shield the skin from free radicals that promote premature ageing. The amino acids found in honey also helps to maintain skin elasticity, so you can maintain youthful-looking skin for longer.
How to Make It
Mash half a banana and combine it with a tablespoon of money to create a rejuvenating mask. Then mix the ingredients well together until it makes a thick paste. Apply it to the skin and let it sit for fifteen minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Suggested Article: Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine for Mature Skin.
Prepping the Skin for Face Masks
For optimum results, remember to cleanse your skin before applying the mask to your face. If you skip this step, you could be layering your mask onto the existing dirt and bacteria that are on the skin. To avoid this, exfoliate your face first to help the formula of the mask better penetrate the skin.
Don’t forget to apply the mask to your face with clean hands. You don’t want to transfer any bacteria from your hands onto your face. So, give them a thorough clean first. Once your skin is cleaned and prepped, you’re ready to apply the face mask.
How Often to Use Face Masks?
While face masks work wonders for the skin, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Just like everything else, it is possible to overuse face masks too. If you overdo it, your skin can become irritated, even though the ingredients are packed with nutrients. Therefore, it is best to keep face masks as a treat for your skin and use them only once or twice a week.
To learn how to make more of your own DIY skin care products, click here to read our article on how to make DIY Natural Facial Popsicles for Glowing Skin.