DIY face masks may be a luxurious treat, but that’s just the surface of what they can do. Our skin is incredibly important to our overall well being.

The largest organ of the human body, our skin is a constant, flexible protector from destructive outside forces — such as germs, toxins, and even the sun. Taking care of dry or damaged skin isn’t just cosmetic, but important for your health. (1)

With dangerous chemicals in major skin care products, there is a huge movement of people taking matters into their own hands. As a integrative dermatologist that cares for kids and adults, I encourage people to know what it is that they are putting on — and essentially in — their bodies. Homemade skin care remedies and DIY face masks are a no-brainer.

 

How to Make DIY Face Masks

When creating face mask recipes, I include only natural, organic, and easily sourced ingredients that have scientific studies to back up their effectiveness for skin use. Most mask recipes are good for every skin type, including sensitive skins, and will provide an excellent, spa-like experience.

The goals of the best face masks are to:

  • Clear out dead skin
  • Moisturize dry skin
  • Remove excess oils
  • Pull out impurities
  • Help pores of acne-prone skin
  • Tighten and firm aging skin

Make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients before applying a homemade face mask. Grab a food safe bowl and spoon, because you are about to feel pampered!

 

Easy DIY Face Mask for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne affects 75% of people from ages 11-30, but anyone can get it. Your pores connect to oil glands in your skin that carry dead skin cells to the surface. These pores can become clogged and inflamed starting the formation of pimples. Bacteria, puberty, birth control, and other hormonal changes can also cause acne breakouts. (2, 3)

Ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar, Green Tea, and Aloe Vera

Made from fermented apple cider, apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains organic acids that fight acne-causing bacteria and the inflammation that accompanies acne scarring. ACV can also help improve dry, oily skin. (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum to lubricate and waterproof our skin and hair, and too much sebum is one of the causes of acne. (9) That’s where green tea comes into play. Green tea contains polyphenols — powerful antioxidant molecules in several plant based foods. Green tea and other polyphenols are said to fight acne because of their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sebum-reducing properties. (10, 11)

green mask

Finally, the aloe vera plant grows leaves that fill with an amazing clear gel. This gel is the base of many skin treatments for things like burns, scrapes, cuts, and acne. It naturally contains salicylic acid and sulfur — both used in many over-the-counter and prescribed acne treatments. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)

Acne-Prone Face Mask Recipe

  • ½ tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of Matcha Green Tea Powder
  • 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Use a brush to apply in thin layers, drying between each layer, and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Usage Note: Mix apple cider vinegar with at least three times the amount of another liquid, if applying to skin directly. You do not want to use ACV alone as it may burn or irritate skin.

 

Hydrating DIY Face Mask for Dry Skin

Dry skin can happen for a variety of reasons, but it is often accompanied by irritated, itchy, inflamed areas of skin that bother even the most patient of people.

Ingredients: Avocado, Coconut Oil, Honey

Avocado is the king of healthy fruits. This fatty acid fruit can be applied to sunburns, used to hydrate skin, and contains potassium and vitamins A, C, D, and E that can be absorbed as well. (18, 19, 20)

avocado mask

The benefits of coconut oil as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent are being discovered in the newest research. It outperforms virgin olive oil as a moisturizer and may even be used to treat eczema. (21, 22, 23)

Raw honey is an ancient skin solution, containing proteins, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals and antimicrobial properties. (24)

Hydrating Face Mask Recipe

  • ½ smashed avocado
  • 1 tablespoon warm coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of honey

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Apply mixture to skin with fingers. Let sit for at least 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Usage Note: Honey face masks will require extra rinsing, but dry, dull skin will remain well nourished. It’s worth it.

 

Anti-Aging DIY Face Mask for Glowing Skin

We don’t have a fountain of youth, but maintaining our glow is an important part of putting our best foot forward and taking care of ourselves as we age.

Ingredients: CBD Oil, Lemon Juice, Coffee, Cocoa

The potential of topical CBD oil is exciting and new. Recent studies provide promising results for CB1 receptors in the skin for basal cell regeneration. At the bottom of the outermost layer of the skin, new skin cells are formed in the basal cell layer and push older cells toward the skin’s surface. There, they die and eventually fall away.

CBD oil may help basal cells regenerate and grow. This helps your skin look younger. (25) It also has been shown to have healing and anti-inflammatory effects on skin conditions such as psoriasis. (26, 27, 28)

Rocks

Polyphenols in coffee are known to temper skin photoaging and the resulting spots and wrinkles. (29) Coffee is also full of antioxidants that help fight free radicals — the cause of oxidative stress in the body. (30)

Coffee Mask

Another powerful antioxidant, that is known to protect the skin from oxidative damage, is lemon. (31) This same property provides anti aging benefits for skin. (32)

Lastly, pure dark chocolate or cocoa has a “super fruit” level amount of antioxidants, second to none. (33) This flavanol rich food can increase blood flow and improve consistency, moisture, and density of skin. (34, 35)

Anti-Aging Mask Recipe

  • 5 drops of CBD oil
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon of coffee grounds
  • 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Massage mixture onto skin with fingers in a circular motion. Let sit for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Usage Note: This course mixture will exfoliate well, so apply pressure while massaging.

coffee face

In Summary

  • The largest organ of the human body, our skin, is a constant, flexible protector from destructive outside invaders.
  • Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids that fight acne-causing bacteria and the inflammation that accompanies acne scarring.
  • Avocado can be applied to sunburns, used to hydrate skin, and contains potassium and vitamin E.
  • Polyphenols in coffee are known to temper skin photoaging and the resulting spots and wrinkles.

Sources:

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  2. Bhatia, A., Maisonneuve, J. F., & Persing, D. H. (2004, June). Propionibacterium acnes and chronic diseases. In The Infectious Etiology of Chronic Diseases: Defining the Relationship, Enhancing the Research, and Mitigating the Effects: Workshop Summary., Knobler, SL et al.(eds.) (pp. 74-80). Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83685/
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