Summer is on it’s way and the warmer months bring fresh fruit and herbs. Why shouldn’t your face benefit from all of the fresh ingredients just as your body can? If your lucky you have a small garden or have been stocking up on fresh fruit and herbs so making a DIY face mask will be a breeze. These are our top four favorites for the summer.
Even Skin Tone – Strawberry & Honey Mask
This mask is packed with vitamin C and is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids which help exfoliate the skin. Fresh strawberry masks are great for people with dull, damaged or acne-prone skin. Strawberries contain alpha hydroxy acids, which help to eliminate dead skin cells and cleanse the skin as well as a beta hydroxy acid which can help reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Honey is one of the worlds oldest treasured remedies for skin health. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic ability and is believed to help reveal new, fresher layers of skin. Honey’s anti-bacterial properties also help to increase skin’s resilience and elasticity. Honey contains humectants which draw moisture from the skin keeping skin moist but not oily. The strawberry and honey combination will exfoliate, brighten, cleanse and even skin tone.
Recipe: 3 Strawberries, Organic Honey
Directions: Mash the strawberry and add honey until you get a smooth paste. Gently apply the mixture to clean skin. Apply in a gentle circular motion for a minimum of 3 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water followed by cool water as this will help to close your pores. Tip: If possible let your treated skin breath for as long as possible before applying creams, spa of makeup.
Resolve Acne – Mint Mask
First, it’s important to deferential the difference between peppermint and spearmint. Peppermint, true to its’ name is stronger and should be used on skin with caution. Peppermint oil is known to have an antiseptic and antibacterial quality which can have a cooling effect. In the right formulation peppermint can also help to sooth irritation and inflammation caused by acne. Spearmint is more gentle to skin so for this reason we prefer using it in a mask. Spearmint leaves are antimicrobial and contain antioxidants that clear skin and suppresses bacteria which creates acne. Spearmint has a cooling effect that will help to reduce acne scars, relieve itching, inflammation and aid with dry skin. Yogurt is good for skin as it contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which help to dissolve dead skin cells. Yogurt gently exfoliates, prevents breakouts and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic ability and is believed to help reveal new, fresher layers of skin. Honey’s anti-bacterial properties also help to increase skin’s resilience and elasticity. Honey contains humectants which draw moisture from the skin keeping skin moist but not oily. A word of caution: we do not recommend this mask be used when you have any open wound or lesions on your face. The mint mask will help to resolve breakouts and leave your skin feeling refreshed.
Recipe: Handful of fresh spearmint leaves, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt and 1 tablespoon organic honey.
Directions: Grind the mint leaves (we prefer spearmint) with a mortar and pestle and add it to the honey, and yogurt. Stir the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture. Gently apply this mixture to clean skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse your face with cool water.
Brighten Skin– Lemon & Honey Mask
The honey and lemon face mask is one of the most popular as it is safe for all skin types. This mask also has a long list of general benefits to include: being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hydrating, soothing, slightly exfoliating, healing and regenerative. Lemon is packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to reduce skin damage and premature aging. Due to its high pH levels, lemon will help to minimize oil on the skin and reduce inflammation. The vitamin C in lemon juice lightens skin by reducing melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives your skin it’s color. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic ability and is believed to help reveal new, fresher layers of skin. Honey’s anti-bacterial properties also help to increase skin’s resilience and elasticity. Honey contains humectants which draw moisture from the skin keeping skin moist but not oily. The lemon & honey mask will brighten, lighten and hydrate your skin giving your skin a glowing appearance.
Recipe: 1 tablespoon organic honey & juice from 1/2 fresh lemon.
Directions: Apply the mask to clean skin, covering your face and neck but avoiding the area near your eyes. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, and then wash off with warm water, followed by cold water. The cold water will help close to close your pores.
Calm & Sooth Irritated Skin – Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal has long been used as a tool to calm irritated skin. Oatmeals antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to treat dry skin and remove dead skin cells. Oats also contain compounds called saponins, which are natural cleansers that help to remove the dirt and oil that clog the pores. If you have sunburn or other skin irritations, this is the perfect mask for relief. The mild exfoliating properties of baking soda help banish acne and bacteria from your skin. The oatmeal mask will clean and calm your skin.
Recipe: Oatmeal, Baking Soda & Water
Directions: Grind two tablespoons of oatmeal to make a powder. You can use a food processor or blender. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the oatmeal with enough water to create a paste. Apply the paste onto freshly clean, dry skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water.
In summary, take advantage of the fresh fruit and herbs of summer and make yourself a refreshing face mask. DIY face masks are easy to make and are very beneficial to your skin. We covered our top 4 masks for the summer but if we have not found one that you like, check out timesofIndia and their 20 best homemade mask options. We’ve shared our favorites but would love to hear from you if you have your own favorite DIY Mask.
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