I wrote an article about facial masks in the latest issue of Luca Magazine. Face masks are the greatest addition to any skin care regimen. You can use masks to treat any skin concerns you have. Today on the blog instead of looking at masks you can buy in the store, lets look at DIY masks, all natural masks that you can make at home!

How To Make Home Made Face Masks

Did you know that you already have most of the ingredients you need to make the very best skin care masks, sitting in your kitchen? High performance, beautiful skin care products don’t always have to come in a bottle or a tube on a shelf in a store. You can make them yourself with all natural ingredients, many of which are already sitting on your kitchen counter or in your pantry! Before using any mask all over your face, do a little test patch at the corner of your jawline. If your skin feels any adverse reaction, remove the mask immediately.

Here are some fabulous DIY skin care facial masks.

Exfoliating Mask

If you have been following my Corinna B’s World blog for more than 5 minutes then you will already know that I am not a fan of facial scrubs. I always think they scratch away the debris on the surface of the skin, but also scratch the baby skin underneath, keeping you in a perpetual cycle of rough, gritty skin.

I prefer to use enzyme masks to exfoliate my skin. An enzyme mask uses fruit acids or lactic acids to dissolve away dead skin cells and debris from the surface of the skin, without damaging the fresh skin underneath. They are super gentle and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Here is an easy to make DIY enzyme mask:

Papaya Enzyme Mask

image by Brad Olson for Luca Magazine

Slice a papaya in half, lengthways. Take one half of the papaya, scoop out the seeds and discard, then scoop the flesh of the papaya into a glass or ceramic bowl. Mash the papaya, apply it all over the face, avoiding the eye area.

Leave the mask on the skin for 15 minutes, then rinse off with luke-warm water and a washcloth.

Brightening Mask

If your complexion is looking dull and lifeless a DIY brightening mask could be the answer.

Apricot Brightening Mask

Apricots are rich with vitamins A, B1, B2, C and PP (a bacterial astringent). They also contain many important minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, sulfur, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous). An apricot brightening mask is fabulous for normal to dry skins, and can be used once or twice per week.

Peel and halve 2 ripe apricots. In a ceramic or glass bowl mash apricots with a fork (use a food processor). Apply with a brush, avoiding the eye area. and leave on the skin for 30 minutes. Rinse off with luke warm water and a washcloth.

Brightening Mask For Oily Skin.

If you have an oily or combination skin a lemon Mask is a fabulous way to brighten your skin.

Lemon Mask

Lemons have vitamin A, C, B1, B2 and B3 (a strong astringent and bactericide). Lemons are great for oily complexions. You can use this mask daily if necessary, or just a couple of times per week.

Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to 1 stiffly beaten egg white. Apply to the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on the skin for 10 minutes and then rinse off with bottled water.

Strawberry Mask

Strawberries contain vitamins B, C, E and K as well as salicylic acid and silica. Its astringent and revitalizing properties make this mask good for all skin types, and it can be used twice per week.

Apply 2 tablespoons of mashed strawberries directly to the face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with bottled water.

For Dry or Dehydrated Skin

When your skin needs some luscious nourishment just reach for an avocado.

Avocados are rich in vitamins and amino acids and make fabulous anti-aging masks for dry, combination and mature skin.

image by Brad Olson for Luca Magazine

Avocado Mask

Mash half a ripe avocado with a fork, (or put in a food processor) and apply immediately to the skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse off with bottled water.

For Angry Skin

If your skin is feeling angry or irritated one of the best masks you can make to soothe and smooth your skin is an oatmeal mask. Oatmeal contains anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories, which will reduce irritation and soothe itchy or irritated skin.

Oatmeal Mask

There are several variations on this mask.

Mask One: Add 2 tablespoons of honey to one serving of hot oatmeal. Let it cool to a warm temperature (never hot), and apply to the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

Mask Two: Grind 4 tablespoons of oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor. In a ceramic or glass bowl add 1 tablespoon of honey and one egg yolk. Mix together and apply to the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes, and the rinse with cool water.

Cucumber Mask

Anytime your skin has had too much sun, too much wind, or just needs soothing, grate one cucumber that has been refrigerated cold. Apply to the skin and leave for as long as you want! The cold cucumber hydrates, soothes and refreshes the skin. (Note – it gets super messy, but its worth it!)

I hope you will try out some of these masks at home! Leave me a comment in the comment section below if you do! Also, if you have some favorite homemade masks that you would like to share, please tell us about them in the comment section below.

Natural Skin Care ~ How To Make Masks At Home