Facials are a great way to keep your skin glowing, but they can be pricey. Whether you have access to a spa or salon or not, a homemade face mask using simple ingredients puts the self in self-care.
So when you are looking for all the power of a great face mask for cheap, it might be time to get a bit crafty in your kitchen and mix up the perfect DIY face mask using food you already have in your pantry and fridge.
Mona Gohara, M.D. says you should check with a dermatologist if you are unsure about a specific ingredient, but in general, she advises DIY maskers to avoid: lemon juice and apple cider vinegar (their high acidity can lead to irritation and burning,) spices with heavy yellow coloring like turmeric (which can cause discoloration,) and cinnamon (a well-known skin irritant).
As for the best DIY-mask ingredients, there is limited research on using fridge and pantry staples as skincare, but the simple skin helpers below are generally well-tolerated.
1. Beautifying Brown Sugar Scrub Mask from brit.co
The potential perks: Increased moisture, exfoliation
The steps:
- Mix 2 Tbsp. brown sugar with 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
- Apply to face in gentle circular motions, let sink in for five minutes, then wash off with warm water.
2. Blemish-Fighting Milk Mask from Huda Beauty
The potential perks: Reduced acne (anti-bacterial), exfoliation
The steps:
- Combine 2 Tbsp. raw honey, 2 Tbsp. nutmeg, and 2 tsp. milk to form a thin paste.
- Apply to face, leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Follow up with a moisturizer.
3. Comforting Chocolate Mask from Glamrs
The potential perks: Increased moisture, exfoliation, the smell of chocolate
The steps:
- Combine 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder, 1 Tbsp. cream and 2 tsp. Raw honey, then add ¼ cup milk and stir to form a paste.
- Apply to face, leave for 10-15 minutes (or until dry), then rinse off with warm water.
4. Soothing Aloe + Honey Mask from Be Spotted
The potential perks: Reduced redness and/or irritation, increased moisture
The steps:
- Combine 1 Tbsp. pure aloe vera gel and 1 Tbsp. raw honey to form a paste.
- Spread evenly over face, leave on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
5. (Super) Simple Manuka Mask from Dr. Gohara
The potential perks: Reduced redness and/or irritation, increased moisture, exfoliation
The steps:
- Apply a thin layer of Manuka honey (it’s produced by bees that pollinate the flowers of the New Zealand-native Manuka bush and it’s been shown to have even more antibacterial benefits than traditional honey varieties) to damp skin
- Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off gently with a moisturizing cleanser.
Tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag, with pics of your DIY face masks.
