Time to open up your pantry
While the best sheet mask and best face masks can work wonders for your skin, sometimes you don't have the time or money to go treat yourself to such luxuries. We get it. Enter, homemade face mask recipes that actually work.
Once upon a time, most of the things in your pantry were Cleopatra’s preferred weapons in her beauty arsenal. Seeing as she was considered a ‘woman of surpassing beauty’ and the pioneer of treatments, following her suit and embracing the world of natural recipes seems only, well, natural.
Need to quench your skin’s thirst, combat spots, get glowing skin or make your pores appear smaller? Grab your mixing bowl and try one of these homemade face mask recipes…
Homemade facemask for acne prone skin
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon - helps stop bacteria in its tracks thanks to its anti-microbial properties.
1 tablespoon of honey - naturally antibacterial
1 teaspoon of baking soda - known for its exfoliating abilities and midl antiseptic properties.
1 tablespoon of green tea powder (such as matcha) - an antioxidant powerhouse that also acts as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agent.
Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and mix together until you get a smooth, even consistency. Rub the paste over your face in circular motions and then leave it on for 10 -15 minutes. Runs off with tepid water, using a soft washcloth to promote exfoliation.
Homemade face mask for dry skin
1/2 ripe avocado - packed with antioxidant carotenoids to protect your skin and moisturising monounsaturated fatty acids, know to help maintain moisture in the epidermal layer of your skin.
1/2 ripe banana - rich in powerful antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals like pollution, as well as amino acids, known to help maintain skin elasticity and potassium to hydrate your skin.
1 teaspoon of plain organic yoghurt - chock full of lactic and alpha hydroxy acids able to dissolve dead skin cells, calcium to facilitate skin renewal and zinc, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and sebum regulation.
1 teaspoon of honey - extremely moisturising thank stop its humectant properties, which draw in moisture from your environment.
Mash your avocado and banana until it’s a smooth paste, then add your yoghurt and honey and mix together until it forms a paste. Apply your mask to your face, leaving it for ten minutes, before rinsing off with tepid water.
Homemade face mask for blackheads
2 tablespoons of brown sugar - naturally inhibits bacterial growth and is a source of glycol acid, known to break down the protein that keeps deda skin cells hanging onto your skin as well as boost new cell production.
2 tablespoons of olive oil - cleanses the skin while softening the outer layer to help with the exfoliation process.
1 teaspoon of honey - know for its powerful moisturising, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties.
Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and mix together until you get a smooth, even consistency. Once ready, rub your scrub over your face in gentle circular motions. Remember, you don’t want to tear your skin, so take your time and exfoliate gently.
Homemade face mask for glowing skin
3 tablespoons of ground rolled oats - has anti-inflammatory properties to stop any irritation from the lemon juice.
1 tablespoon of honey - known for its moisturising properties to plump your skin.
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric - has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to slow down cell damage and can help reduce pigmentation.
1 teaspoon of lemon juice - rich in Vitamin C, which reduces the amount of melanin produced to give you brighter looking skin.
Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and mix together until you get a smooth, even consistency. Apply the mask to your face and leave on for 15 - 20 minutes before rinsing off with tepid water and a muslin cloth to get rid of any yellowing.
Homemade face mask for pores
1 egg white - contains astringent properties that help tighten your pores.
1 teaspoon of lemon juice - known for its exfoliating action thanks to the levels of citric acid.
Whisk your egg white until it becomes thick and fluffy, adding your lemon juice slowly as you whisk. Apply the mask with a makeup brush (a flat foundation brush works best). Leave the mask to dry completely - it should take around 5-10 minutes and your skin will feel tight. Remove by rinsing with tepid water.
Homemade face mask for sensitive skin
2 tablespoon of ground rolled oats - contains a cleansing agent called saponins and has anti-inflammatory properties.
1 tablespoon of plain organic yoghurt - gently exfoliates the top layer of your skin without causing redness.
1 tablespoon of honey - known for its ability to reduce redness, fight bacteria, moisturise and reduce inflammation.
Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and mix together until you get a smooth, even paste. Apply all over your face and leave for 10 -15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water, working the paste off in circular motions and then pat dry with a towel. Work any residue into your face in gentle, circular motions.
