Natural Face Masks are such fun projects! Do you have half an Avocado languishing in the fridge and some Cucumber about to go soft? Grab them to combine with cosmetic Clays, nutritious grains like Oats and Barley, or lipid-rich dairies, like Yogurt and Buttermilk. Honey, Maple Syrup, and Glycerin are humectants that help lock in moisture. (A teaspoon is all you’ll need.) Even kitchen staples like Apple Cider Vinegar can be used to clean and exfoliate your skin beautifully. Capitalize on Linoleic acid-rich seed oils, like Grapeseed and Rosehip to boost skin cell regeneration and restore the skin's natural barrier. Essential oil-wise, Rose is a boon for dry skin, mature skin benefits from Frankincense. You can even make Face Masks for sensitive skin with Violet Leaf or Roman Chamomile essential oils. Clear blemished skin with Grapefruit and Bergamot for skin glowing with health.
What Are Natural Face Masks?
Natural Face Masks have been used for centuries in some form or another. Whether it be Nile mud, Mexican Avocados, or crushed Chinese Rose petals, people have been employing natural materials to improve the appearance of their skin across the globe for a very long time.
If you have never made a DIY face mask by plopping a bowl of smooshed raspberries on your face, you’ve definitely been missing out! Natural Face Masks can be as simple as applying smashed-up fruit or as complex as formulating fabulous concoctions of nutrition-packed ingredients. Either way, you can design them yourself to target key skin issues.
They can be as simple, or as complex, as you like. They are one of the easiest entry-level projects, even people with the most sensitive skins, can enjoy making and using them.
Easy and Cost-Effective To Make at Home
One of the beauties of this project is that they are quick and simple to make at home. You can rustle something up in a few minutes and have a bowl of amazing skin nourishment at your fingertips.
You really can take control over your own skincare and use the very best natural materials to target key issues like dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots.
Taking control of your ingredients also means taking control of your budget. You can create a super effective natural Face Mask for pennies. Use up the couple of Strawberries the kids left, or the bit of avocado languishing in the refrigerator. There’s no need to spend big to get effective skin care with this project.
Banishing The Ridiculous Idea That Homemade = Substandard
One of our customers said to me she was embarrassed to make and use homemade beauty products - even facial masks - because she thought her family and friends might think of them as substandard in some way.
It’s a real and valid point that many of us face. Commercialism has done good for us!
Please! Let’s banish that ridiculous notion!
When you go to the Artisan Farmers Market and see beautifully packaged handmade organic skincare, do you think of those as somehow diminished? Of course not!
Ask yourself, what is the difference? Is it because YOU made it?
With top-class ingredients make truly excellent beauty products and your own homemade natural face masks. Ones that deliver first-class skin nutrition and care.
Homemade = Handmade = Artisan, and very often your work is bespoke when tailoring it to suit yourself or family and friends.
People pay GOOD money for that!
If you need a bit more persuasion, click on The Allure Of Crafting Your Own Natural Products.
Best Natural Face Masks Ingredients
Fruits
One look on Pinterest and you’ll soon realize that pretty much any fruit can be smooshed up and slapped on your face! But there is actually more science to it than you might think.
For instance, Strawberries can be a gentle astringent and it is reputed to have skin bleaching properties. Lemon juice has been widely utilized to bleach and lighten hair for many years. The humble Banana is packed with Vitamin A and one of the fruits least likely to upset sensitive skin. Cucumber has virtually the same pH as your skin and is wonderfully cooling for skin that are hot or burnt.
Popular Fruits For Natural Face Masks Include:
- Apricot - Packed with skin toning Vitamin A
- Avocado - Wonderful for oily and acne-prone skin
- Banana - Perfect for even the most sensitive of skin
- Cucumber - pH balanced, soothing, and cooling
- Figs - Use to reduce dark circles and eye bags
- Grapefruit - Softens skin
- Melon - The least acidic fruit, so great for oily skin.
- Lemon - Great for oily skin, blemishes and blackheads, bleaches freckles
- Orange - Softens the complexion
- Papaya - Contains papain, promotes skin healing, and enhances collagen secretion to enhance skin elasticity and health.
- Pineapple - Brilliant for acne-prone skin. Contains vitamin C and bromelain, reducing redness and skin inflammation. Has antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental pollutants and sun damage.
- Raspberry - Has a restorative acid content to balance pH and cool the skin.
- Strawberry - Full of salicylic acid, detoxifies pores, fights pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, and prevents breakouts.
- Tomato - Restores skin acidity, tones, refreshes, and boosts circulation.
- Watermelon - Packed with Vitamin A, B, and C, the same pH as skin, and tones the skin.
This is by no means an exhaustive list and there will be indigenous fruits that I am sure you can use too. Just do a little research before using some of the more unusual fruits.
Grains
Grains aren’t necessarily the first thing you think of when you consider Face Masks. Yet, Oats are widely used in natural Face Masks as they are packed with skin-soothing properties. A study by Ilnytska (2016) concluded that ‘these results demonstrate that colloidal oatmeal can provide clinically effective benefits for dry and compromised skin by strengthening skin barrier’.
Introducing grains like Oats, Barley, and Bran can offer dry skin some soothing relief.
We all know that Barley Water has restorative properties, and any sign of illness, and it was whipped out in our house as a child. Yet, it never seems to occur to us to slap it on our face! It’s only been used for 4,000 years but why should you start now? Pair it with a mild vinegar like Apple Cider Vinegar to provide a synergistic efficacy boost.
Proteins & Dairy
I’m pretty sure it was Marie Helvin in the 1970’s (yes, I AM that old), who promoted the use of Mayonnaise as a hair conditioner. It was met with mixed reactions and results. However, it’s not a new idea to use a protein to improve your skin and hair, Cleopatra was doing it 2,000 years before Marie Helvin, famously bathing in Asses Milk.
You can regularly find natural Face Mask recipes that contain Egg whites, Yogurt, Milk, and Cream. They are packed with proteins, the building blocks of life!
The Vitamin A in the eggs and milk will stimulate the formation of Collagen. We all want a bit of that to combat fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin A is also useful because it stimulates the production of gorgeous new skin cells.
Yogurt and soured milk, like Buttermilk, contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that will slough off dead skin cells, leaving the skin looking radiant and youthful. Lactic acid will also help brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and dark spots. Over time this can give you a more youthful appearance.
Other Glorious Ingredients We Couldn’t Live Without
Clays
Clay Masks are by far my favorite type of mask to make a home. They suit my skin and time and again, I get amazing results time. I love how the cool, wet, mud-like texture for soothes and cools hot and irritated skin.
I’ve had a pesky rash on my leg recently and Bentonite has been my best friend and skin soother. It helps to calm and hydrate my skin and the clay's anti-inflammatory properties relieve dryness and some of the irritation.
Clay is jam-packed with minerals. Use clay masks for deep cleansing and to de-clog pores. As they dry, they soak up anything sitting on your skin. They absorb oil and water and draw out any excess sebum which frees the pores of toxins and impurities. Clay leaves your skin clearer and feeling refreshed. By removing the dead skin cells and cleaning out your pores, you also attain a more balanced complexion with a healthy glow.
Because they reduce any excess oil clays are brilliant for acne and can also reduce the appearance of existing spots and blemishes.
Always use clay generously to maximize the benefits. No less is more here. This time, more is more!
What Kinds Of Clay?
There are so many gorgeous clays out there, try all the French ones! White, Pink, Green. Plump for Moroccan Rhassoul or Red Clay.
Harness the properties of Bentonite Clay to draw out toxins and impurities from your skin. It’s positively charged, which adds to its efficiency. However, this also means you must not use metal bowls or utensils with this one or you will polarize that beneficial charge!
Kaolin is wonderfully light and fine and one I regularly use in conjunction with Bentonite
Have fun experimenting with all of them!
Flower Waters and Hydrosols
Flower waters and hydrosols are wonderfully refreshing and can add that lovely, bright, light, and fresh aspect to your natural Face Mask.
I am sure you will be well acquainted with the benefits of Rosewater and Orange Flower Water.
Use them to soothe skin irritation, reduce redness, and aid skin healing. They both contain antioxidants that fight signs of aging by targeting free radicals.
Don’t overlook the amazing Melissa/Lemon Balm Hydrosol either, with its skin-soothing constituents and properties. Lavender Hydrosol is also a great choice, lightly refreshing and offering a wonderfully gentle fragrance.
Irish Moss
Everyone is going absolutely NUTS for Irish Moss at the moment. Whether you plonk it on your face or drink it, it’s stuffed to the gunnels with beneficial ingredients.
One of the simplest ways to use it is to freeze it in an ice cube tray and run the frozen cube lightly over your skin to tighten the appearance of the skin. Personally, I prefer to wrap it in a fine cotton cloth first for a more gentle experience. The results appear comparative and I recommend a covered cube if you have broken, congested, irritated skin, rosacea or thread veins.
I defrosted some last night to use. Despite wearing factor 50+ sunscreen yesterday, I caught the sun slightly. I applied pureed Moss to my skin and let it dry like a mask. Then I got in the bath and simply washed it off. My skin is soft, soothed, and not even slightly red this morning!
It’s really effective combined with acidic fruits, like Raspberry, and a tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar. Dip a light cotton cloth into the solution to make a sheet mask. If you are handy with a needle, cut and bind some eye and mouth holes. Then simply wash and reuse!
Sustainability Warning: Please remember this is a product that can create natural and local habitat instability because of the current high demand. Only use it if you really have to and please be responsible about where you source it from.
Natural Sugars
Glycerin
Regular readers will know my love affair with Glycerin and its emollient and humectant properties. Add it to products to boost hydration and moisturization. Include it in your natural Face Masks to give them an extra boost!
Honey
Made by the honeybee, honey is composed of mostly fructose and glucose. It is packed with vitamins, enzymes, minerals, proteins, and amino acids.
Burlando (2013) cited, ‘In cosmetic formulations, it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections’.
You can utilize all of these amazing properties on the skin, to hydrate, soothe and smooth the appearance of the skin. All the while taking advantage of its pathogen-fighting abilities too! This can be useful for people whose acne can be prone to infection or who are susceptible to skin infections like impetigo.
One of the first natural Face Masks I ever made was Honey and Oat, I was about eleven at the time. It smelt amazing, was really sticky, and frankly hilarious, but boy, did it do my acne good!
It is worth noting that honey would not be appropriate for vegans.
Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup can also be used in natural Face Masks. It doesn’t quite live up to the magic of Honey but it still has plenty of its own redeeming qualities. It too is a humectant, which means it grabs moisture from the air and plops it into your skin, locking in hydration!
Maple also contains Quebecol which can be an effective anti-inflammatory agent.
You can use any of these natural sugars interchangeably in all of these natural Face Mask recipes. However, since Maple Syrup has a high water content, it significantly reduces the shelf life of any product not designed to be used immediately. Sadly, even adding preservatives does not mitigate this problem.
Vinegar
Benefits of Using Mild Vinegars In Natural Face Masks
Vinegar
- It is astringent, removing oil, dirt, and grime.
- Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and absorbs excess oil on the skin.
- Balances the pH of the hair and skin, especially after using soaps that are more alkaline.
- Contains alpha hydroxy acid to clean and exfoliate the outermost layers of the skin.
It has
- Antimicrobial properties to kill pathogens, microbes, and bacteria on the skin.
- Anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation, redness, and irritation. Vinegar is useful for conditions like eczema where pH imbalance is a core issue.
Any vinegar you intend to use on your skin needs to be very mild. Commercial vinegar tends to be too strong to use on the skin, but you can dilute it, and of course, you could make your own to use in your natural Face Masks.
Apple Cider Vinegar is very much treated as a panacea, and it certainly is in my house! I make my own and whip some out of the brewing flagon before it gets too strong. I set this aside to use on my skin and hair.
I also rate Coconut Vinegar, which I source for the local Asian grocers. However please check the acidity level before using it on your skin for the first time.
Carrier Oils For Natural Face Masks
You are going to find in the next section, on essential oils, that you must ALWAYS dilute your essential oils in a carrier oil before adding them to your natural Face Mask. However, let's consider them for their own glorious benefits and active properties here.
Fabulous Fatty Acids
When you explore using carrier oils for skin repair and healing, the first thing you will discover is fatty acids and just how useful they are to skin health in your natural Face Masks.
When skin gets damaged, maybe with water that is too hot, skincare that is too harsh or simply exfoliating too much, you need to replace and restore your natural levels of lipids. Adding carrier oils rich in fatty acids to your skincare helps your skin function much better. When skin can retain its moisture and balance lipid levels, it enables it to heal more readily.
Skin usually produces its own oil, known as epidermal lipids, composed of a variety of fatty acids. So, when your skin is oily, dehydrated, or dry, it is lacking those fatty acids. Carrier oils are packed with these fatty acids and some skin conditions benefit from re-introduction of oil into your skincare regimen.
We can get all technical and talk of things like triglycerides, but let’s leave that to Liz in What Are The Best Carrier Oils For Face?
In simple terms natural carrier oils have triglycerides, which are made from fatty acids, every oil will have a varying percentage of fatty acid. Meaning, that some oils are more suitable than others for ‘repairing’ certain skin conditions. This is why carrier oils with their high fatty acid content can be viewed as repairing your skin’s barrier.
Vaughan (2018) says, ‘Differing ratios of essential fatty acids are major determinants of the barrier repair benefits of natural oils. Oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio have better barrier repair potential’.
Seed Derived Carrier Oils
Seed-derived carrier oils are the ones you want for your natural Face Masks, they seem to have a much higher ratio of Linoleic Acid.
Linoleic acid (Vitamin F) hydrates the skin, providing moisture and plumping the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It serves as building blocks for repairing and rebuilding the skin’s barrier and the integrity of the skin, protecting and fortifying it.
This extra boost in protecting the skin from UV rays, air pollutants, and toxins can reduce the impact of free radical damage, which results in fine lines and wrinkles and contributes to the signs of aging. Reducing the damage reduces the signs of aging.
A study by Letawe (1998), supported using Linoleic Acid in the treatment of acne and it is touted elsewhere as having preventative abilities, but those claims need further research.
Seed-derived carrier oils include:
- Rosehip Oil (Rosa Canina)
- Grapeseed Oil (Vitus Vinifera)
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa)
- Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
Nut Derived Carrier Oils
Obviously, if you have a nut allergy you want to avoid these oils completely.
Many nut oils are renowned for having anti-inflammatory properties and are wonderful for use on itchy skin. In my mind, there is little better than Extra Virgin Coconut oil for soothing dry and irritated skin, even if it has very little Linoleic acid!
Sweet Almond is amazing at lifting off those dead skin cells and leaving the skin clean and fresh. It has a wonderful shelf life too. Its Linoleic acid content varies a lot though, between 8-28%.
Essential Oils For Natural Face Masks
Essential oils are brimming with active properties and chemical constituents and they make the perfect companions for your natural Face Masks. They are especially useful if you want to target key issues or make something specifically suited to your skin type.
One rule that you must follow when using essential oils in a natural Face Mask is this - You must ALWAYS dilute your essential oils in a carrier oil before adding them to your natural Face Mask.
You do not want globs of undiluted essential oil sitting on your face and they won’t dissolve into water-based fruit like raspberries and strawberries.
Make it a rule of thumb for the future, to stay on the safe side.
Dry Skin
Rose essential oil should be the best friend of anyone who experiences dry skin. I call it ‘skin food’ because I can literally feel my skin drinking up its goodness and soaking up all its wonderful properties. It appears in my skincare more regularly than most other essential oils, and of course, I use it in my natural Face Masks too.
Rose is a powerhouse of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and antiseptic properties. The complex array of antioxidants proves a regenerative tonic and heals and improves the quality of your skin.
Astringent properties lift and tone the skin by contracting the muscles. Smoothing the skin and reducing fine lines to give the appearance of lovely plump, smooth skin.
Rose contains deeply nourishing properties and when used regularly, Rose essential oil can replenish your skin, leaving your complexion brighter, bouncier, and more luminous.
Discover more about using Roses for your skin in The Ultimate Guide To Rose Essential Oil - A Beauty Box In A Flower.
A more cost-effective option with many similar properties and actions would be Rose Geranium essential oil. By no means is Rose’s poor sister! You’ll find it in my skincare alongside Rose all the time. It’s certainly easier on the pocket and has that lovely green scent note that Rose lacks. That extra dash of green leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean.
Discover more in 10 Best Essential Oils For Dry Skin: Rejuvenate Your Skin Naturally.
Mature Skin
Frankincense should be sent to you the moment you turn 50, or when your perimenopausal hormones start to go wappy, whatever hits you first!
The change in hormones often changes your skin’s needs and you’ll find the skincare you have been using for the last 30 years just doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore. Something seems to be lacking and just needs ‘something’. Frankincense can be that something!
Frankincense’s chemical constituents promote cell regeneration and healthy skin tissue helping to lift and tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles. Some of these constituents also have astringent properties and can reduce acne, blemishes, and enlarged pores. The antiseptic, and antioxidant qualities of the components protect the skin, reducing inflammation and healing skin damage making it an ideal essential oil for your natural Face Masks. Discover more about How To Use Frankincense Oil On The Face.
Essential oils like Rose and Rose Geranium can be used for more mature skin, both have anti-inflammatory properties and are good for sebum regulation.
Neroli rejuvenates the skin, stimulating the production of brand-new healthy cells. Helichrysum is becoming my new best friend in slowing the formation and depth of wrinkles! Maybe, make it yours too?
Discover more with Best Essential Oils For Wrinkles: Uncover Your Most Beautiful Skin and 5 Essential Oils That Are Perfect For Mature Skin.
Combination Skin
I not only had hypersensitive skin but also a combination of skin with very dry and flaky spots and an oily T zone. I have learned a lot over the years about how to care for my skin.
Both Rose and Rose Geranium will always appear in my personal skincare, and my natural Face Masks, because of their ability to address areas of dry skin. However, it is the properties of Ylang Ylang that do that amazing balancing act and regulate the production of sebum. Wherever you have a skin imbalance, embrace Ylang Ylang.
If you have very oily zones the addition of Grapefruit to that blend can be effective.
Oily Skin
It’s not unusual for people to sigh at the usual essential oil suggestions for oily skin because they are almost always Tea Tree and Lavender. Sighs are usually accompanied by a dislike for one of the aromas. Yet, both of these essential oils are super effective at addressing the needs of oily skin in your natural Face Masks.
Discover more Can You Put Tea Tree Oil On Your Face? And Is Lavender Oil Good For Skin?
If you want some different options check out Grapefruit with its antiseptic, astringent, and bactericidal actions. It’s a great choice if your oiliness contributes to blemishes.
Bergamot can dry your skin and reduce oiliness. However, it needs to be used with caution because it can have phototoxic contraindications. Choose FCF versions or use it at night and avoid sun exposure for 12 hours after application. Discover more Bergamot In Skin Care.
Acne and Breakout Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin you will want similar essential oils for oily skin. Use Tea Tree, Lavender, Bergamot, and Grapefruit in your natural Face Masks for all the same reasons!
I have written a comprehensive article to make a Revolutionary Acne Kit: Essential Oils For Clearer Skin! Pop on over and find a whole raft of skincare suitable for your skin.
Sensitive Skin
It can be tricky to find something that suits your skin to make natural Face Masks. You don’t tell me about it. I’ve got all the feels!
Unfortunately, the essential oil I suggest starting with is also the most expensive. Sorry about that. However, violet leaf absolute is very effective for people with hypersensitive skin.
Its properties are useful for acne and eczema according to Lawless (1992). Use it to refine pores, thread veins, and for nervous exhaustion. Violet is wonderful for people who ‘live on their nerves’.
With its bright, fresh green fragrance with a lingering aroma of Violets. It combines wonderfully with other oils but is sublime all on its own. For a more affordable alternative try Roman Chamomile essential oil, which is also wonderfully soothing for dry and irritated skin.
How To Use Your Natural Face Masks
These natural Face Masks are so easy to make and use, that you barely need instruction from me but here it is anyway.
- Always try to make up a little beforehand and carry out a 24-48 hour patch test, especially if you have sensitive skin. It will save you from making potentially expensive mistakes too!
- Use this natural Face Mask immediately, often the fruits will oxidize and dairy ingredients can sour if left for any time. (Although soured cream is even better for your skin)!
- Apply the natural Face Mask to your face, avoiding the delicate eye area and the lips. Extend it to your neck and decolletage, if you have enough.
- Lie back and relax for 15 minutes, up to about 30 minutes, and enjoy the bliss!
- To remove the mask, grab a soft, clean, natural fiber cloth and wash your face in clean warm water, gently dislodging the mask with the cloth. Rinse the cloth and continue until all traces have been removed.
- Discard any leftovers.
- Continue with your normal skincare regimen.
To Tone or Not to Tone?
I often get the question, should I tone before or after applying my mask?
If I use a clay mask, I will always tone after because Clay is brilliant at lifting muck out of my pores and toning will pull out any muck I’ve missed. The astringents in the Toner will then help close my pores back up before applying moisturizer.
However, if I've used a gently astringent mask without Clay, like my Natural Face Masks For Dry Skin recipe, I wouldn’t bother toning because the fruit and Buttermilk will clean my pores and then close them back up beautifully, in one blissful step.
Yet, if you are using hot water to wash your face, rather than the recommended warm water, it will open your pores wide. Try to use warm water if you can, but if you are a hot water lover, always use a toner afterward, regardless of the type of natural Face Mask you are using.
DIY Recipes For Natural Face Masks For All Skin Types
There should be a recipe here to suit every skin type, but don’t be afraid to swap and change some of the ingredients and try new things.
Start with trying the recipe that suits your skin, and maybe next time swap a couple of the ingredients to see if that suits you better. It won’t take long to establish the perfect combination for your particular skin.
Top Tips For Getting The Best Results:
- Use the beaker that comes with your immersion blender. It is easier to blend such small amounts of fruits when you have a smaller area. If you don’t have a beaker try using a heavy-duty glass jar with a perfectly flat bottom.
- Essential oils will always blend more readily into an ingredient that contains oils and fats (lipids). You will notice many of these recipes call for you to mix your oil mixture into milk, cream, or yogurt. This is to make sure that your oils are as well diluted and evenly dispersed as possible. Always mix your oils into a fatty or oily substance first and then add to the rest of the ingredients.
- Add your clays last, it makes it easier to check your final consistency when you add it last. If it feels lumpy, simply slacken it off with some Rosewater, spring water, or a hydrosol of your choice.
Natural Face Masks Recipe For Sensitive Skin
This has an extra step in cooking Barley first, but I promise you it is worth doing because of how wonderfully soothing the combination of Barley and Oats is on your skin. Just forward plan a little for this one.
Don’t throw the Barley water away either, turn it into a drink or chuck it in the bath for skin-soothing gloriousness!
You Will Need:
- Small saucepan
- Colander/strainer
- Immersion Blender and beaker/Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Stainless steel spoon
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of Oat Flakes (Avena Sativa)
- 2 tbsp of cooked and pureed Pearl Barley (Hordeum Vulgare)
- 1 tbsp of Kaolin Clay (Kaolin)
- 5 ml of Jojoba Carrier Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
- 10 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
Method:
- Measure out your Pearl Barley into a saucepan top up with boiling water and bring it back to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil again, strain and discard the water.
- Pop the Barley back into the pan top up again with boiling water and cook for 40-60 minutes until it is very soft, if it does not feel soft, cook for up to 30 minutes more.
- Reserve 2 tbsp of the cooking water and strain. Keep the Barley water for another project, like Lemon Barley Water.
- Put the Barley and 2 tbsp of Barley water into the beaker and blitz it with your immersion blender or in your blender. A food processor might struggle with such a small amount.
- Blitz until it is a fine puree, add a little more Barley water if you think it needs it.
- Set it aside to cool completely.
- Once cooled, mix the Barley with the Oats and Kaolin Clay until it is a thick, spreadable paste, slacken it off either with Barley or spring water.
- Mix your Roman Chamomile essential oil into your Jojoba carrier oil and add to the paste, stirring thoroughly until completely combined.
- Use immediately.
Safety:
- If you have sensitive skin, always do a patch test first, please. It is also worth patch-testing the ingredients individually if your skin is hypersensitive. Dilute the Roman Chamomile to a 1% dilution before patch testing.
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Natural Face Masks For Dry Skin
Gosh, this recipe is just so gorgeous, it smells incredible but please do NOT be tempted to eat it! Pineapple contains Bromelain which is a powerhouse of nutrition when you eat it. On your skin, it makes a powerful exfoliant and will slough off all those dry, flaky, and dead skin cells. However, if you have sensitive skin, I suggest you omit the pineapple.
The Honey and Glycerin grab that moisture from the air and kindly plop it into the cells of your skin, locking in moisture and giving you smooth, glowing skin.
You Will Need:
- Immersion Blender and Beaker/Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Stainless steel spoon
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of Pureed Pineapple (Ananas Sativus Fruit) and Papaya (Carica Papaya Fruit)
- 1 tbsp of Yogurt or Buttermilk (Yogurt)
- 1 tsp of Honey (Mel)
- 1 tsp of Glycerin (Glycerol)
- 5 ml of Grapeseed Carrier Oil (Vitis Vinifera)
- 20 drops (1ml) of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 10 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Asperum Var Roseum)
- 3 drops of Rose Essential Oil (Rosa Damascena)
Method:
- Use an immersion blender to puree your fruits, and add a little spring water to help things along. You want a THICK puree because everything else you are about to add is going to slacken it off.
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the yogurt and stir to combine.
- Add the Honey and Glycerine, and stir well.
- Then add in the pureed fruit. If it is too runny, add something like Oats or Bran to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency.
- Use immediately.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Natural Face Masks For Wrinkles
This is one of those recipes where I’m unsure what to extol first! Do I start with the combination of amazing essential oils or the glorious base ingredients?
If you plump for Buttermilk you get the extra benefit of exfoliation, but always choose the full-fat versions to get the best kinds of lipids. We don’t want any skinny stuff here, your hips aren’t going to suffer from using this!
You Will Need:
- Immersion Blender and Beaker/ Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Stainless steel spoon
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of Double Cream or Buttermilk (LAC (Milk))
- 1 tbsp of pureed Banana (about half a large banana) (Musa Sapientum Fruit)
- 1 medium-sized Egg (Egg)
- 1 tsp of Honey (Mel)
- 1 tsp of Glycerin (Glycerol)
- 5 ml of Grapeseed Carrier Oil (Vitis Vinifera)
- 20 drops (1ml) of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 5 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia Serrata)
- 5 drops of Helichrysum Essential Oil (Helichrysum Splendida)
- 5 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
Method:
- Use an immersion blender to puree your Banana and egg together.
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the Cream or Buttermilk and stir to combine.
- Add the Honey and Glycerine, and stir well.
- Then add in the pureed fruit. If it is too runny, add something like Oats or Bran to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency.
- Use immediately.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Homemade Face Mask For Glowing Skin
If you are looking for a recipe for natural face masks for glowing skin, this is the one for you!
Packed with exfoliants, astringents, humectants, and moisturizing properties, your skin will literally glow after using this.
The inclusion of Irish Moss will please those fanatics among you, please source sustainably and responsibly. Of course, feel free to leave it out, it won’t affect the efficacy!
If your skin is on the oilier side, you can try swapping out the Banana for an Avocado. If your skin is on the drier side, try Strawberries or Papaya instead of Grapefruit.
You Will Need:
- Immersion Blender and Beaker/Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Stainless steel spoon
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp of pureed Irish Moss (Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan))
- 1 tbsp of pureed Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi Fruit)
- 2 tbsp of pureed Banana (Musa Sapientum Fruit)
- 1 tbsp of Oat flakes (Avena Sativa Kernel)
- 1 tsp of Honey (Mel)
- 5 ml of Jojoba Carrier Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
- 2 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus Bergamia)
- 10 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 2 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga Odorata)
Method:
- Soak your Irish Moss overnight according to your packet instructions. (They can vary, hence why I say check your packet please).
- Use an immersion blender to puree your Irish Moss, Banana, and Grapefruit together.
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the pureed fruit and stir to combine.
- Add the Honey and Oats and stir well.
- If it is too runny, add more Oats to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency.
- Use immediately.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Homemade Face Mask For Everyday Use
This is a beautifully simple recipe with a minimal amount of faffing! You can whip this up really quickly and be ready to go in a few minutes, not to mention, create very little washing up!
It is worth leaving this until it dries on your face if you can. If you find it really suits your skin, try grinding down your Oats and adding more Bentonite Clay to create a really thick (and effective) paste. I will often grind my Oats, mix them with some Clay, and leave them in a jar in the bathroom ready to make up. You can do this with Pearl Barley too. You need to use them up within a month though, so it’s not worth making loads.
You Will Need:
- Non-metal Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon, as using Bentonite Clay
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of Oat Flakes (Avena Sativa Kernel)
- 1 tbsp of Honey (Mel)
- 1 tbsp of Bentonite Clay (Montmorillonite)
- 5 ml of Rosewater (Rosa Damascena)
- 5 ml of Grapeseed Carrier Oil (Vitis Vinifera)
- 5 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Asperum Var Roseum)
- 5 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Method:
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the Honey and stir to combine.
- Add the Bentonite Clay and Oats and stir well.
- Pour in the Rosewater and stir really well to a stiff paste.
- If it is too runny, add more Oats or Bentonite to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency. If it is too thick add more Rosewater to slacken it off.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Homemade Face Mask For Clear Skin
The Bergamot, Tea Tree and Grapefruit essential in this are all magical when it comes to spots and blemishes.
If you have dark circles and eye bags then Fig is going to be your new best friend. (Move over Cucumber! Though there is nothing stopping you from adding a tbsp of Cucumber to this either - just double up on the Kaolin Clay too)!
If you have really congested skin, work in a dirty environment or are exposed to environmental pollutants, consider adding Carrot Seed Essential Oil at a 2% dilution.
You Will Need:
- Immersion Blender and Beaker/Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Stainless steel spoon
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of pureed Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus)
- 1 tbsp of pureed Fig (Ficus Carica)
- 1 tbsp of Maple Syrup (Acer Saccharum)
- 1 tbsp of Kaolin Clay (Kaolin)
- 1 tsp of 50% Apple Cider Vinegar and 50% water (Acetum & Aqua)
- 5 ml of Grapeseed Carrier Oil (Vitis Vinifera)
- 2 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus Bergamia)
- 2 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus Paradisi)
- 5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
Method:
- If you are using dried Figs, soak them overnight in warm water to rehydrate and soften them.
- Use an immersion blender to puree your Raspberries and Figs together. Use a little of the soaking water if it needs a little help to blend, but avoid adding moisture at this point if you can.
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the Maple Syrup and stir to combine.
- Add the pureed fruit and Kaolin Clay and stir well.
- If it is too runny, add more Kaolin Clay or some Oats to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency. If it is too thick, add a little Rosewater or a hydrosol of your choice.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Homemade Face Mask For Acne
Acne was the bane of my teens, so you have all the feels from me on this.
Initially, you may look at this and think ‘I can’t use that, it’s riddled with fats and oils’. Trust me on this one. Yes, you can! Reading this article will help you understand the importance of using oil in the treatment of acne. Revolutionary Acne Kit: Essential Oils For Clearer Skin! It could be a game-changer for you!
As could this rather unctuous Natural Face Mask for acne. Give it a whirl!
You Will Need:
- Non-metallic mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon using Bentonite Clay
- Immersion blender and beaker/Blender
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of Mashed Avocado (Persea Gratissima Fruit)
- 1 tbsp of Pureed Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi Fruit)
- 1 tbsp of Thick Greek Yogurt (Full fat) (Yogurt)
- 1.5 tbsp of Bentonite Clay (Montmorillonite)
- 1 tsp of Rosewater (Rosa Damascena)
- 5 ml of Tamanu Carrier Oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum L)
- 15 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
- 15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Method:
- Use an immersion blender to puree your Grapefruit. You can simply smash your Avocado or add it to the Grapefruit and blitz it with the immersion blender.
- Measure out your essential oils into your carrier oils and mix well.
- Pour the oil mixture into the thick Greek Yogurt and stir to combine.
- Add the pureed fruit and Bentonite Clay and stir well.
- Add the Rosewater and check the consistency.
- If it is too runny, add more Bentonite Clay or some Oats to soak up some of the fluid and get a thicker consistency. If it is too thick, add a little Rosewater or a hydrosol of your choice.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Something For Everyone, Even Your Dermatologist!
There should be a recipe here for everyone. Even those of you searching for dermatologist-recommended homemade face masks. Every recipe is tailored to your particular skin type and packed with all the precious nourishing ingredients your skin needs to be vibrant, healthy, and glowing.
Even your dermatologist will be clamoring for your newfound secret! Sssh, this one is just between you and me.
Final Thought
Who knew that taking some of the contents of your fridge, kitchen, and bathroom cupboards and slapping them on your face, could prove so easy and effective?
Try mixing yogurt and dairy cream into your oats, add a dollop of fruit puree, a tsp of honey, and some clay and you have an absolute powerhouse of skin nutrition at your fingertips. Add in carrier and essential oils to take it into the stratosphere.
Make the most of all those fatty acids and capitalize on Linoleic acid to help boost skin cell production and regeneration. These help to heal and improve the appearance of your skin.
Tend to sensitive skin with gentle ingredients like Pearl Barley and Oats. Gently exfoliant dry skin with the Bromelain in Pineapple. Feed mature skin with Eggs, Double Cream, and Frankincense essential oil. Make your skin glow with Grapefruit and Bergamot essential oil.
Use Bentonite, Honey, and Rosewater for an everyday natural Face Mask. Clear congested and blemished skin with Figs and Kaolin Clay laced with essential oils noted for their skin-clearing properties, like Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Tea Tree. Embrace the oil for acne. Yes! Embrace it, load up with Avocado and skin-soothing Tamanu carrier oil with its anti-inflammatory properties.
No matter your natural Face Mask, your skin will glow with health and vitality.
