Every human on this planet shares a common desire. We all want “good” skin. Nobody is thrilled to see bumps pop up on their forehead or get pumped to see redness and peeling on their cheeks after undergoing a treatment.
Because we all share the same desire, skin care is one of the most profitable industries today. It can also be one of the most confusing.
We’ve all been in these shoes at some point or another; you’re standing in Target or Sephora, or maybe even a department store makeup counter looking at rows of bottles of goo, salve, mud, and ointment. You’re asked to pick a team; oily, dry or combination? You probably touch your face a few times and settle on combination. Or maybe someone once told you for sure have dry skin, so you go with that. Maybe you touch the acne on your chin and decide you must have oily skin (wrong) and move forward with your selection.
Then, you approach the cash register and get smacked in the face with a hefty price tag for just a few ounces of goop.
Or, even more likely, you stand in the aisle for a few more minutes trying to pronounce the ingredients on the bottle and wonder if they’re safe. What is Methylisothiazolinone anyway?!
Scenario two, maybe you hand over a crisp $100 bill after getting pampered and plucked and prodded by an actual esthetician that told you that you have great skin but you need to buy multiple products or services to keep your skin looking young and bright.
Sure, there’s definitely value in getting pampered for 45 minutes from time to time. And yes, many products sold in stores are worth their weight in gold when you find what works for you.
But do you have to spend a bajillion dollars to have nice skin? Nope.
I’ve experimented with a variety of ingredients found in both my kitchen and bathroom. I came up with some real flops like that time I burned my own face using vinegar and baking soda. Oops. Luckily for you though, I won’t be sharing the flops on this post.
While this may come as a shock, I did not in fact go to esthetician school nor am I a medical doctor. So, with all recommendations and products on my blog, please do a small patch test on your skin to be sure you don’t have any reactions. If you’re not sure if you can use certain products, ask someone with the letters “PhD” at the end of their name.
All of these masks incorporate ingredients that you probably have around the house or ones that you can get very easily. Each recipe is free from dyes, harsh chemicals, and toxic ingredients. Also, they will cost no more than about $1 to make! I hope you love them…
For each mask, combine all ingredients in a ramekin or small bowl. Avoid using a metal bowl or spoon as metal can interact with certain compounds and make them less effective. Apply mask with your fingers or a brush. You can find a good facial brush at Target or on Amazon for under $2. Something about swabbing it on with a brush makes it feel just a little more spa-like.
I also recommend that you do not leave any mask on for more than 15 minutes (start with 5 minutes and see how your skin reacts). Any mask that contains clay, vinegar, tea tree oil, or charcoal may leave your skin red and warm to the touch. While this is normal, it is not normal if it doesn’t go away within a few minutes so be careful with your measurements and how long you’re leaving it on your skin.
Once you apply your mask, kick back with a good book, a glass of wine, or some scented candles for best results. Wash off your mask in the shower or with a warm (not hot) wash cloth.
The Detox– This is one of the masks that I use most frequently. Whether I am experiencing a breakout or just need a deep clean, this one is perfect! Charcoal is a known detoxifying agent while coconut oil both soothes the skin and provides antibacterial properties.
1 Tablespoon Aztec Clay Powder (I love this one)
The contents of one activated charcoal pill (I have these)
½ Tablespoon melted (but not hot) coconut oil
1-2 drops of pure tea tree oil (Trader joes sells a great one for under $5)
Warm water as needed for desired consistency
The Hydrator– I love the cooling effect this mask has on my skin. It’s perfect for a post beach or pool day when your skin is practically begging for moisture.
½ Tablespoon good quality honey (raw, local, and unfiltered is best)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
¼ medium-sized avocado mashed
1 drop pure peppermint oil (this is a good one)
The Firmer- With ingredients like Aztec clay, egg white, and lemon, this mask will tighten and firm your skin. I use this bad boy when I notice any inflammation in my face (likely because I ate pizza).
1 egg white beaten lightly
1 ½ Tablespoons Aztec Clay Powder (linked above)
1 Teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 Teaspoon melted coconut oil
The Cleanser- There’s a
special time of the month when little red dots and black heads pop up on my skin like clockwork. While there’s most definitely a correlation between diet and skin, I use this mask when I need a little extra boost of cleanliness. Make sure not to leave this mask on for more than 10 minutes unless you want yellow skin (te
mporarily).
1 Tablespoon Aztec Clay Powder
½-1 Teaspoon apple cider vinegar
½ Teaspoon turmeric powder (be careful as this ingredient will stain clothing or light towels)
4-5 Drops cold-pressed rosehip oil
Warm water as needed for desired consistency
The Balancer– Every now and then my skin gets out of whack. Whether it’s from too much sun, clogged pores from products, or a funky diet. This mask will help bring things back to status quo with probiotic properties and balancing oils.
2 Tablespoons plain greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon oat flour (you can make this by pulsing oatmeal in a blender for 10 seconds)
½ Tablespoon good honey
4-5 drops pure argan oil (Trader Joe’s has one I like)
All of these masks are non-toxic and are safe for regular use. You can make this a part of your regular skincare routine or your #selfcaresunday. Either way, I find that if I’m using ingredients that are natural I’ll be doing my skin a favor with the extra love no matter which one I choose.
No Comments