Face masks are a great way to pamper your skin and make it glow. Adding them to your skin care routine ensures that you keep your skin moisturized and healthy.
How do face masks benefit the skin?
Face masks contain a lot of active ingredients that benefit the skin in many ways:
- They moisturize and nourish
- They improve the appearance of enlarged pores
- They even the skin tone and minimize dark spots
- They eliminate fine lines
- They make the skin glow
- They soften the skin and improve its texture
The things you need to know before applying face masks
- Before you apply a face mask make sure that your face is clean and dry. Use a cleansing product (gel, lotion, face soap) to remove impurities and make up. It is a good idea to exfoliate your face before using a face mask. Exfoliation removes dead cells that clog your pores preventing active ingredients from penetrating into your skin.
- Use a face mask that works best for your skin type. There are different kinds of masks that contain different ingredients. When choosing one, you need to determine the benefit you are looking for. For example, if you have dry or dehydrated skin, you should look for a cream mask that offers extra hydration. It would be a really bad idea to use an activated charcoal mask for oily skin as it would dehydrate your skin even more.
- Leave your beauty mask on for 10-15 minutes until its ingredients are delivered into the skin and remove it before it fully dries. Leaving a face mask on for too long won’t make it work better. In fact it may cause harm by irritating or dehydrating your skin.
- After the use of a beauty mask (even if it is especially designed to offer extra hydration), apply a moisturizing product (serum, cream, face oil). This way you prevent water loss and protect your skin from dehydration.
- In general you should use a face mask 1-2 times per week. However, depending on your skin type and the type of your beauty mask, more frequent application may benefit your skin. If you suffer from dry skin and need an extra boost of hydration you may apply a moisturizing face mask with mild ingredients 3 times a week. If you have oily skin and want to get rid of blackheads, using a face mask with activated charcoal once a week is perfectly ok.
Handmade face beauty masks
If you love masking, you can make your own handmade beauty masks using ingredients from your kitchen. DIY face masks are easy to make, effective, costless and since they contain pure and natural ingredients, they are safe to use more frequently.
Below are 5 face mask recipes that you can try at home:
Handmade face mask with avocado and Greek yogurt for dry skin
Ingredients
1 avocado
2 tbsp. Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. olive oil
How to make
Smash the avocado with a fork and then add the Greek yogurt and the olive oil. Mix well and apply to your face. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes.
How it works
- Avocado is rich in proteins and fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6ο that reduce water loss and keep the skin hydrated. It also contains powerful antioxidants like vitamins A, D and E that fight dryness and help the skin remain supple.
- Greek yogurt has strong regenerative action. It calms irritated skin because it is cool while its fats soften and nourish dehydrated skin.
- Olive oil deeply moisturizes and keeps the skin smooth and soft.
Handmade face mask with egg, honey and oat and oat for oily skin
Ingredients
1 egg
1 tbsp. honey
3 tbsp. oat
2-3 drops lemon juice
How to make
Mix honey and oat until you have a uniform mixture. Add the egg white and the lemon juice and mix well. Apply to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
How it works
- Honey has strong antibacterial and healing properties and is ideal for dermatological problems, such as acne.
- Oat is rich in vitamins and lipids and is extremely beneficial for the skin. It deeply nourishes and gently cleanses the skin by removing impurities and reducing the excess sebum.
- Egg white reduces oiliness and improves the appearance of enlarged pores by removing blackheads.
- Lemon helps regulate excessive sebum production and fights oiliness.
Handmade face mask with chamomile and banana for sensitive skin
Ingredients
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp. boiled chamomile
How to make
Smash the ripe banana with a fork, add the chamomile and mix well. Apply on your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
How it works
- Banana is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. It protects, nourishes and softens the skin.
- Chamomile has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is ideal for sensitive skin because it sooths irritations, reduces itchiness and repairs damaged skin.
Handmade face mask with coffee, turmeric and coconut oil for dull skin
Ingredients
2 tbsp. coffee
2 tbsp. turmeric
1 tbsp. coconut oil
How to make
Mix all ingredients well until you have a paste. Apply on face for 10-15 minutes.
How it works
- Coffee acts as a natural exfoliant. It removes impurities, lightens the skin and makes it look radiant.
- Turmeric reduces dark spots and discolorations offering an even skin tone. It fights dullness and makes the skin look young and healthy.
- Coconut oil deeply nourishes the skin and protects it from environmental factors like the sun and the cold air.
Handmade face mask with pomegranate and cocoa powder for anti-aging treatment
Ingredients
1/2 pomegranate
4 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tbsp. almond oil
How to make
Make a pomegranate paste by blending the seeds. Add the cocoa powder and almond oil and mix well. Apply to your face and neck and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
How it works
- Pomegranate is rich in vitamins and metals and known for its strong anti-aging properties. It is regenerating, helps with the cell renewal, protects collagen and minimizes the appearance of fine lines.
- Cocoa with antioxidant properties protects the skin from free radicals and prevents the signs of aging.
- Almond oil moisturizes and softens the skin leaving it smooth healthy.
