The Top 5 Best Homemade Face Masks

Making your own homemade face masks is simple to do, and much less expensive than purchased mask products. Not only can you create a mask that is ideal for your skin type and needs, but your mask will not contain preservatives, fillers, or scents that may cause allergic reactions or be absorbed through your skin to increase your toxic load. With a homemade mask, YOU control what you’re exposed to, you know it’s fresh, and you don’t end up with dried out products that have to be thrown away.

Many simple and effective masks can be made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen; and with a few minor purchases like bentonite clay, vitamin E oil, and perhaps a couple of small bottles of specific oils for your particular skin type; you can treat your skin to a luxurious spa quality treatment for pennies. You’ll not only save money; you’ll be able to reduce wrinkling, remove dead skin cells, and end up with healthy, glowing skin in a few simple steps.

First, let’s talk about how to do a facial mask:

1. Put your hair up to keep it out of the mask, and clean your face thoroghly.
2. Mix only the amount of mask ingredients you need for one treatment.
3. Gently apply the mask with your fingertips, keeping away from the eyes and lips.
4. Allow the mask to dry completely, keeping the face as relaxed as possible to prevent cracking and flaking. (If the mask directions have a recommended time, be sure to stick to that timing.)
5. Gently wash the mask off with cool water, then wash with a gentle soap to remove any remaining traces, and follow with a light application of coconut oil to prevent overdrying.

Now for the fun stuff:

Homemade Face Mask #1
Bentonite Clay Masks

The best masks you can use on your face (and body) are made with bentonite clay powder as the basic ingredient. Bentonite clay pulls toxins from your body, and with the addition of a few drops of vitamin E oil for healing, and a few drops of almond oil to moisturize, you’ll have a good basic mask. For a single application, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of clay powder, mixed with just enough water to make a spreadable, mudlike consistency. Add two drops of vitamin E oil, and two or three drops of almond oil, mix well and apply.

For an even better version, add 1/4 cup of kelp powder to nourish your skin and increase the detoxifying effect of the clay. Kelp powder also has an anti-aging effect, and will leave your skin feeling revitalized.

Homemade Face Mask #2
Cornmeal Mask

Cornmeal is an excellent exfoliant, and is a wonderful choice if your skin is dry and flaky. It will help to remove skin flakes, and with the addition of a few other ingredients, will nourish and brighten your face or body.

For a great mask, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of finely-ground cornmeal (NOT cornmeal mix). Add approximately 1 tsp. of honey, two drops of vitamin E oil, and enough water to make a thick paste, mix well, and apply.

Homemade Face Mask #3
Yogurt Masks

Yogurt makes a wonderful mask that will nourish and balance your skin. It can be used as the base for many masks with multiple effects.

• For a refreshing mask, puree half a cucumber in a blender with a tablespoon of yogurt, apply, and rinse off after 15 to 20 minutes.
• For a moisturizing mask, mash a very ripe banana with 1 teaspoon honey and 2 teaspoons yogurt. Apply evenly and allow to dry completely before rinsing off with cool water.
• For an oily skin mask, mix 1 tablespoon of yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey and add two or three drops of fresh lemon or lime juice. Mix well, apply and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash with a steaming washcloth.

Homemade Face Mask #4
Acne Face Mask

The best masks for acne prone skin include strawberries, which contain natural alpha-hydroxy acids for gentle exfoliation and deep cleaning. The best recipe I’ve found follows:

One or two strawberries, mashed, then placed in a coffee filter and squeezed to remove most of the juice. Place the remaining pulp in a bowl and add one tablespoon of witch hazel, one teaspoon of bentonite clay, and two drops of lemon juice. Mix well and apply to the face, leaving on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

Homemade Face Mask #5
Smoothing, Moisturizing Mask

There are many options for moisturizing and smoothing the skin, but the best I’ve found is this one:

half an over-ripe banana
half an over-ripe avocado
one tablespoon of chopped cucumber
one tablespoon of yogurt
one tablespoon of olive oil

Mix ingredients well (a blender works best.) Apply a thick layer and leave on for 30 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water followed by a cold water splash.

So, that’s my top five favorite homemade face masks. What are yours? Leave a comment below sharing your own facial mask recipes.

Plus, if you want to discover more homemade beauty recipes, then pick up a copy of Return To Beauty by Narine Nikogosian.