Hey ya’ll!

I hope you all are well and are finding moments for peace during this time. Self care is at the top of my list of things these days, and I don’t know what’s better for calming the mind than doing something good for your skin! Ok, that statement might include a bit of hyperbole but when you battle adult acne like I do, treating or preventing a breakout can give you a sense of control. AND what goes better with DIY face masks than a good glass of wine? Ultimate zen time.

Skin care is uber important right now. I’m sure when this is over everyone wants to emerge from their home cocoons as butterflies — not slugs. So we gotta keep that skin fresh! Spending a ton of money on expensive skincare products might not be the move for you right now, but that doesn’t mean that better skin is out of reach. I scoured the nets to find some easy DIY face masks that you can make with things you currently have around your house. Note that I did not create these DIY face mask recipes, but I have partaken of many of them. I’ve given credit to the sites of origination and, in most case, if you follow the links you’ll find a plethora of DIY face masks not listed here. Happy masking ya’ll!

DIY Face Masks for Hyperpigmentation

Apple cider vinegar mask

Recipe

• Prep Time: 2 mins
• Leave On For: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 TBSP Apple cider vinegar
• 1 TBSP Water

Instructions

1. Add the ingredients to a bowl.
2. Mix them thoroughly.
3. Wash and cleanse your face.
4. Gently apply the mask to your face using a cotton pad.
5. Leave it on for 5 minutes, or until it is absorbed into the skin
6. Gently rinse the mask off with some warm water.

According to Dermcollective.com, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. When applied topically, this acid functions as a chemical peel to gradually exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal healthier new skin beneath. Diluted apple cider vinegar can be an effective toner for acne-prone or oily skin. As an astringent, it removes excess oil, reduces blemishes and tightens large pores. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. 

However, topical application of apple cider vinegar is not appropriate for everyone. While individuals with oily skin can benefit from its astringent properties, it is not recommended for dry or sensitive skin. Vinegar must be diluted before being applied topically; when used undiluted, it is known to cause chemical burns.

HOWEVER, even when diluted, this vinegar is highly astringent, and its acidity can disrupt natural skin pH levels. Side effects include dryness, redness, irritation and burning sensations; if you experience these symptoms, discontinue use. Apple cider vinegar should not be used in conjunction with other chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid as there is an increased risk of irritation.  (Dermcollective.com, 2019)

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://georgianac.com/beauty-blog/homemade-face-mask-hyperpigmentation/

Turmeric Mask

Ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2-3 tablespoons gram flour (also known as chickpea flour or besan)
• 1/2 teaspoon oil, I would use almond oil, as it absorbs well into the skin
• Approximately 1/2 tsp milk, enough to form a paste
• Lemon Juice, or cucumber juice if you have sensitive skin

Instructions

1. Mix the gram flour and turmeric together in a bowl until evenly combined.
2. Add the lemon (or cucumber juice) and oil to the mixture. The oil is important for ensuring that your skin remains moisturized while the mask is drying out.
3. Add enough milk to form a creamy consistency.
4. Mix well until a smooth paste is formed and ensure that it is not too watery, else the mixture will run from your face. You can add more gram flour to the mixture if you feel the mixture is too thin. The mixture should look like the picture below.
5. Apply the mixture on your face (or other affected area) and leave it on for approximately 10 minutes, or until the mask completely dries on your face. You will feel the mask hardening on your face—this is completely normal and to be expected.
6. Use warm water and gentle circular movements with your fingertips to remove the mask from your face. Wash the face well and ensure that that all of the mask has been removed

According to Skincare.org, curcumin, richly found in turmeric regulates the production of melanin that is responsible for giving the skin the dark color, dark spots, uneven skin patches and acne scar. This gives you an even tone complexion, leaves your skin brighter and rejuvenated.  Tumeric is also reported to be a very strong antioxidant with antibacterial properties and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. (Skincare.org, 2015)

DIY Masks for Skin Brightening

DIY face mask retrieved from Bellatory.com

Brightening Tumeric DIY Mask

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons rolled oats (ground into oat flour in food processor)
• 1 tablespoon manuka honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• squeeze of fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
2. Apply over the sink, on a clean face.
3. Leave mask on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off gently with warm water.
4. You may need to wash your face a couple times to remove the yellow tint.

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://www.theglowingfridge.com/glowing-skin-series-brightening-turmeric-diy-face-mask/

Coffee and raw honey face brightening mask

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon coffee powder
• A tablespoon of raw unfiltered honey
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt (optional, for best results)

How to make and use the mask 

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Stir well.
3. Apply and leave on your face for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with lukewarm water.
5. Use it 2-3 times a week.

Coffee can help brighten skin, prevent clogged pores, and soften lines. The acid in coffee gives you some chemical exfoliation on top of mechanical exfoliation. It also helps bolster skin’s protective barrier. (Prevention.com, 2015)

Raw honey has anti-bacterial properties and is known to sooth inflammation and defend the skin from germs as well as irritants. Honey also contains anti-oxidants which improves your skins elasticity. Honey is also known to help open up pores as well as unclog them. It contains gluconic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acids, which gently remove dead skin cells and brighten your skin complexion.Enzymes that are present in honey will help promote healthy skin cell production and provide a natural glow to your skin. (Wecananswerit.com, 2018)

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://lighterskin.shop/2020/01/27/homemade-brightening-face-masks/

DIY Face Masks for Acne

Mix 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil into your clay mask

Leave it on for: 

10–15 mins (no more than 30)

Why it works: 

“Tea tree oil is a tried and true antibacterial and anti-inflammatory,” Robinson says. While research has found it to be an effective natural acne fighter, it can be potent in high doses and when applied directly on skin. “Be cautious as higher concentrations can be irritating to the skin.”

Due to its potential hormone-disrupting properties, dilute 1 to 2 drops with honey or in your calcium bentonite clay mask, which creates a barrier between the skin and possible irritants.

Another option? 

Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of a carrier oil, like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond. Massage it in like moisturizer (avoiding the eyes) on cleansed skin. Leave on for 5 to 8 mins. Use a warm towel to massage off and continue the rest of your skin care routine (skip toner, if you do this).

Keep in mind when embarking on a tea tree oil journey that studies documenting its effectiveness are mostly long-term, so consistent use will be more successful than one-night spot treatment.

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/face-mask-for-acne#5-diy-recipes

Cinnamon and Honey Mask

Ingredients

• Two tablespoons of honey
• One teaspoon of cinnamon 

How to make it

Mix the ingredients until they form a paste-like substance. Apply to your face, either to individual blemishes. Leave it thirteen minutes and then rinse it with warm water.

Benefits

Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties and can kill or suppress some of the microbes. It is also a powerful astringent. Astringents help to shrink pores, which can make the skin appear smoother and evener. A review found that cinnamon has antimicrobial properties as well as wound-healing properties. The researchers also suggested that cinnamon may have anti-aging properties in the skin.

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://womenconcepts.com/skincare/acne/homemade-acne-masks

DIY Face Masks for Skin tightening

Egg Face Mask

Directions:

• Take an egg white and mix it with 1 tbsp. of plain yogurt and 1/8 tsp. of sugar
• Then, apply this mixture onto your facial skin and wait until it dries out.
• Rinse it off with warm water.
• Apply this face mask once per week within a few weeks.

According to healthyguide.com, egg is a popular ingredient for skin tightening. This is because the albumin found in egg can tone the skin and make it firmer. Yogurt can help treat blemishes and naturally cleanse the skin while sugar can exfoliate, moisturize the skin, and simultaneously reverse the signs of aging.

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://healthyguide.com/skin-tightening-face-masks/

Banana Face Pack

You Will Need

• 1/2 ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

What You Have To Do

Banana not only moisturizes your skin but can also protect it from free radical damage with its antioxidant properties. This can help reduce the signs of aging. Honey and olive oil are humectants and contain antioxidants that can repair damaged skin cells (Stylecraze.com, 2020).

DIY face mask retrieved from: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/homemade-skin-tightening-masks-you-should-definitely-try/

What are some DIY face masks you guys are loving? Drop them in the comments! Also, don’t forget to get out to get a daily dose of vitamin D when you can. If you live local to the Piedmont Triad, find some places near you to log those daily exercise minutes here.

I hope you guys are well!

Talk soon!