DIY Beauty: Face masks you can make at home
I don't know about you, but we received quite a bit of snow the past 48 hours or so up here by the Lake Ontario shoreline in New York. It is the PERFECT weather for curling up and indulging in an at home spa treatment! Carving out a bit of "me time" is an essential part of self care.
Let's face it. We'e all in need of a bit of pampering. Making your own facial masks at home will provide you with a spa-like experience without the cost of visiting the spa. Another advantage to fun DIY project is that you can whip up your own face mask using ingredients commonly found in the kitchen. The best part? Each of these contains no more than two ingredients. A mask need not be complex to be effective. PLUS, you can enjoy a DIY treatment with your friends for girls' night or with your kids.
Tomato + cucumber may help acne-prone skin.
Tomatoes and cucumbers may sound a bit like a vegetable salad, but with regular use, this duo may help to fade mild acne scars over time.
Cucumber is extremely soothing. Possessing toning qualities, applying cucumber can help to calm and revitalize the skin. We all know how cucumber slices applied to the eyes can reduce puffiness, right? The same effect works when mashed cucumber is applied to the skin. Many believe that cucumbers can reduce inflammation and help to fade acne scars with regular use.
I like to combine this peel recipe with antioxidant tomatoes. For this, buy a small jar of tomato paste at the grocery store. I think tomatoes are one of the most underrated skin foods out there. A recent study in Great Britain showed that regular consumption of lycopene-rich tomatoes (specifically paste) can help protect skin from UV damage as well as prevent premature aging. The tomato paste also helps to absorb excess sebum. In addition, when combined with cucumber, slight skin lightening can occur. This is how the cucumber-tomato cocktail can help to treat and even lightly fade acne scars.
Combine equal parts mashed cucumber to tomato paste. Apply to cleansed skin and let sit for 10 minutes or so. Rinse with tepid water.
Pumpkin + lavender helps soothe dry skin.
While we often associate pumpkins with Halloween, you can find pure packed pumpkin a cans year 'round at the grocery store. Not just for making pies, I love to use pure pumpkin in my kale smoothies and in homemade skincare recipes. My pumpkin mask features just two ingredients and is ideal for your troubled skin with dry patches.
To make, simply combine two tablespoons of pure pumpkin and blend in 5 or 6 drops of pure lavender essential oil. Pumpkin soothes, hydrates and protects the skin with its abundance of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein. Lavender essential oil has always been a favorite of mine because of its ability to be calming and soothing to sensitive and irritated skin. In fact, there are myriad lavender essential oil benefits.
This makes a thicker paste. Pat a liberal amount on your face and leave on for up to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Pineapple is great for skin brightening.
Pineapple contains wonderful natural enzymes for the skin. In fact, it is a key ingredient in enzyme peels at high end spas. Pineapple contains something called bromelain, which acts as a gentle exfoliant.
Skin benefits of pineapple include an increase in hydration, sloughing of dead skin cells, possible healing of acne scars and antioxidant protection.
This is the easiest skin treatment! In fact, it contains just a single ingredient: pineapple juice.
You can buy a fresh pineapple or you can purchase 100% pineapple juice. Check the ingredients, because if it is not pure pineapple juice, it may contain sugar and unnecessary ingredients.
Using a skin brush or your hands, simply rub the juice into your skin. Please take care to avoid the delicate eye area, as the acids in the juice could sting. Let sit on the skin for 1 to 2 minutes and rinse with cool water.
In this day and age where people seem to be obsessed with their quest for the fountain of youth, I believe that the more natural approach, the better. Skin needs to be fed and nourished. Try these all-natural facial care recipes the next time you are looking for budget-friendly pampering!
Yours in health & harmony,
Karley
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