Image: phillyfashionistas.com
Dealing with parched, winter abused skin this season? Ditch the overpriced, chemical-ridden moisturizers and facial masks and look to your very own kitchen for the answer to sensitivity and dullness (or that zit that seems to have its own area code). Yep, that’s right- you can get dewy, glowing skin on a budget and you only have to go as far as the fridge. Why should you make your own face masks, you ask? Well, today, more than ever, beauty products contain artificial chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate and polyethylene glycol, for example. These harsh additives actually strip your face of natural oils, leaving it dehydrated and even more vulnerable to bacteria. Convinced yet? Thought so! Now that you’re ready to go ‘au naturel’, check out our favourite, tried-and-tested, homemade face masks for every skin type.
Brown Sugar Scrub- Harsh winter weather can have skin looking drab in no time at all. Kick start your skin’s circulation with this gentle, natural exfoliate: simply mix one cup of brown sugar, five drops of rose water, one teaspoon of vanilla extract and a ½ cup of sweetened almond oil. Gently exfoliate your skin with the mixture in circular motions and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. You’ll instantly notice smoother, brighter skin thanks to the naturally occurring glycolic acid found in the brown sugar. Note: once you’ve created this glorious, moisturizing masterpiece, store it in a glass container or some Tupperware- the scrub should last for about a month.
Oh, for the Love of Strawberries- Battling a nasty break out? Swap the harsh acne cleansers for what’s in your crisper! Mash a ¼ cup of fresh Strawberries, mix them with a ¼ cup of plain yogurt and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Strawberries contain an amazing, natural source of salicylic acid strong enough to do away with those red, painful pimples. Oh, and while you’re in the kitchen, hold an ice cube to any stubborn blemishes for about five minutes to ease inflammation.
Banana Bonanza- Restalyne? Botox? Bananas. That’s right; the almighty banana is good for more than just a post workout snack. Mash up a large ripe banana, ¼ cup of plain yogurt and a tablespoon of honey into a smooth paste. Then, apply it to your face, neck and décolletage. Bananas contain high levels of vitamin C and B6 which play vital roles in maintaining the elasticity of the skin. Plus, the antioxidants will help enhance that youthful glow of yours. Keep this paste on your skin for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water and voila! You’ll look good enough to eat.
Soothing ‘Manly’ Mask- You didn’t think we’d leave our male readers out, did you? Though it’s also great for ladies who are prone to redness, this mask is particularly good for men because it’s perfect for soothing razor burn and generally over-worked skin. To soothe and refresh tired skin put ½ a cucumber (peeled and chopped) into a food processor and then mix in some plain yogurt by hand. Feel free to grab a few extra cucumber slices to place on the eyes (you know you want to) for de-puffing purposes; relax for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
So, there you have it; four easy, ridiculously affordable, beautifying facial masks to help keep your skin looking gorgeous all winter long.
Have a ‘do it yourself’ face mask or beauty regimen that you swear by? Share with us by commenting below or tweeting @FreshPrintMag!
