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Homemade Face Mask Recipes

by admin | Jan 5, 2021 | Asheville, Beauty, DIY, Facials

Store-bought facial masks and one-time-use sheet masks are enjoyable for an at-home spa treatment, but they’re expensive with regular use. You can make your own therapeutic face mask with ingredients in your kitchen. Commercial face masks often contain synthetic ingredients and they’re shipped with lots of packaging materials. Making your own face masks is an eco-friendly way to treat yourself without exposing your skin to potential harm.

What’s a Face Mask?

Face masks use plant extracts and other beneficial ingredients to help repair and condition your skin. To make your own face mask, you simply combine the food ingredients in a food processor or blender, or mix them manually with a utensil. Apply the paste to your face immediately and rinse it off after 15 to 20 minutes.

Face masks can help with a range of skin problems, and you can select the ingredients in your face mask according to your skin’s needs. Here are three face mask recipes for all skin types:

Lavender Avocado Face Mask to Hydrate Dry Skin

1 teaspoon organic honey

1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil

1/4 ripe avocado

5 drops lavender essential oil

Note: Some essential oils can irritate the skin.

The coconut oil and avocado in this recipe provide essential fatty acids that moisturize and nourish your skin. Organic honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps lock in moisture in the skin, making it softer and more plump [1]. Lavender essential oil has moisturizing and soothing properties. It’s also antimicrobial and it fights hyperpigmentation in the skin to diminish blemishes, acne scars, age spots and sun spots. Plus, you get the relaxing effects of aromatherapy!

Turmeric Yogurt Face Mask for Glowing Skin

1 tablespoon natural, plain yogurt

1 tablespoon organic honey

1 tablespoon of turmeric powder

The lactic acid in yogurt acts as a natural exfoliant, clearing away the outermost layer of skin cells to uncover younger, healthier skin [2]. Honey moisturizes, nourishes with antioxidants and has a microbicidal effect [1]. Turmeric has been shown in studies to treat numerous skin conditions through its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing hyperpigmentation it helps smooth out your skin tone and give you a healthy glow [3].

Papaya Egg Face Mask to Exfoliate and Cleanse

1/2 cup mashed papaya

1 whipped egg white

1 teaspoon organic honey

Papaya is chock full of natural enzymes that clear away dead skin cells. This luscious tropical fruit is also a source of antioxidants. In fact, papaya is shown in lab research to protect human skin against sun damage and oxidative stress [5].

Egg whites have natural astringent properties, which help clear away impurities, tighten skin and shrink large pores. There’s also a bactericidal enzyme in egg whites called lysozyme that can help acne clear up faster [6].

Homemade Face Mask Tips

Apply the face mask immediately after combining the ingredients. Use either your fingers, a paint brush or a cotton ball to spread the mixture evenly on your face, avoiding the eye area. Sit back and relax while wearing a homemade facemask, to minimize the mess and maximize the absorption into your skin.

Food is one of the safest ingredients to put on your skin. Essential oils, on the other hand, are highly concentrated. Lavender is considered safe for topical use and has low toxicity [4]. However, some essential oils can irritate skin, so it’s important to select carefully.

References:

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/

2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27213821/

4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5878871/

5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3984819/

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25285490/

Makeup Foundation Alternatives

by admin | Jul 2, 2020 | Asheville, Beauty, DIY, Facials, Women

Base makeup and foundation can feel dense and heavy when worn in the hot summer months. When the temperatures rise, it’s nice to have alternatives to foundation that will keep skin looking clear and translucent without appearing too overdone. Why not skip the base makeup this summer and give some of these alternatives to foundation a try?

Tinted moisturizers

Tinted moisturizers are a convenient way to add sheer color to the face without the hassles of applying foundation. The added tint gives the skin a healthy slow, while the moisturizer keeps it soft and dewy. When you wear a tinted moisturizer, you won’t need to wear cheek color during the day, although you may want to apply a little blush over the tinted moisturizer for evening wear. Most cosmetic lines offer tinted moisturizers, but it’s easy to make your own. Simply mix a small amount of liquid foundation with your regular moisturizer. For an even sheerer look, use mineral makeup to make your tinted moisturizer instead of liquid foundation.

Mineral face powder

Skip the foundation entirely and apply a layer of mineral face powder to keep your face looking sheer and natural while minimizing fine lines and imperfections. Mineral powders look and feel very light almost like you’re wearing no makeup, but will give your skin a flawless, translucent look. They also absorb oil to reduce facial shininess, a common problem in warm weather. Mineral face powder can be found at most cosmetic counters and drugstores at a reasonable price. Carry one with you to keep your skin looking flawless while you’re on the go.

Self-tanner

Some women spend hours in the sun baking their skin to a golden brown to avoid wearing makeup. A safer alternative is to use a self-tanner formulated specifically for the face. There are a variety of self-tanners on the market that will give the face a realistic, sun kissed glow without damaging the skin. The advantage to using this foundation alternative is that you only have to re-apply it every few days to keep the color and, if applied carefully, you can get a very realistic color, like you’ve made a trip to the beach.

Go natural

Why not give your skin a break and go natural this summer? If you don’t feel comfortable without any makeup, add a little lip gloss and mascara and leave it at that. There’s something refreshing about a freshly scrubbed face that’s not weighed down with makeup. Whatever you do, apply your makeup with a lighter touch in the summer. It feels good to give your skin a chance to breathe.

DIY Decadence

by admin | Aug 30, 2019 | Asheville, DIY, Facials

Who can resist the lure of a creamy, decadent face mask? Just the thought of spreading that cool concoction on our abused skin brings a feeling of peace and relaxation. Too often, however, we find ourselves sliding the jar back onto the shelf in disappointment as our dreams of pampering are dashed to pieces.

It does not have to be this way! DIY face masks are super easy to make in the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the cost of ready-made creams. As a bonus, the natural ingredients leave skin feeling refreshed and have many of the same benefits as chemical-based compounds.

Strawberry Almond Yogurt

This facial treatment will have you sighing in pleasure at the delicious scent and feel of exfoliation and creaminess combined into one. According to Organic Facts, this formulation contains salicylic acid, ellagic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, antioxidants, vitamins C, E, and K, and can help to protect the skin from UV rays, which is very important for sensitive facial skin.

Mix three tablespoons of ground almonds, two tablespoons of yogurt, and some mashed strawberries together into a paste. After applying, rinse with cool water.

Avocado Banana Papaya

The smell of this luscious mask will transport you to the beaches of a tropical destination. This formulation packs a punch, containing key components to nourish skin, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and K, plus antioxidants. It helps to manage acne and contains anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Mash one banana, one avocado, and one-half papaya together into a paste. Spread on the skin, leaving for fifteen minutes before gently rinsing.

Peach Olive Oil

The thought of ripe, juicy peaches brings to mind the joys of warm summer days. This fruit is perfect for a do-it-yourself face mask, as the vast amount of vitamin C it contains not only helps the skin maintain a healthy glow, but also guards against infections and harmful UV rays.

Olive oil is a veritable powerhouse of skin nourishment all on its own. It provides excellent anti-aging benefits, with the potential to remove age spots and wrinkles, and is an effective moisturizer. Antibacterial in nature, the use of olive oil in a face mask is able to boost the immune system.

For this recipe, simply peel and mash one peach and add one teaspoon of olive oil into the puree. Mix well and apply to the face. After ten minutes have passed, rinse off with warm water.

As an added note, essential oils can be added to any DIY face mask recipe containing olive oil, or another type of carrier oil, for additional benefits. Lemon, lavender, frankincense, rose, tea tree, ylang ylang, and lemongrass are popular choices.