Looking to wake up tired winter skin? Try a DIY mask with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.
Start with a base like honey, banana, aloe vera, avocado or yogurt. Use them alone or mix with one or two ingredients that have the properties you’re looking for. If you want a moisturizing mask, for example, mix avocado with a little olive oil. Or try mashed banana with honey and lemon juice for oily skin.
A quarter cup of the base and up to a teaspoon (for honey you can use a tablespoon) of the second ingredient will do the trick. Just don’t use more than one acidic (cider vinegar, lemon juice) or abrasive ingredient (sugar, salt, aspirin) at a time/together in your mask to avoid irritation.
Usage is the same for all. Spread them gently on your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. If you have some time, place a warm (not hot) wash cloth on your face first to open the pores. Rinse with warm water. As a light tonic after your mask, soak a cotton ball with some Witch Hazel to close up pores – or splash your face with cool (not cold) water.
Plain Yogurt
Soothing but smooths skin with lactic acid. Also contains probiotics which can help normalize troubled skin.
Source: www.wisegeek.com
Apple Cider Vinegar
Kills bacteria and the acids help smooth skin.
Source: hudakholistichealth.blogspot.com
Honey
A natural antibiotic and good base for other ingredients.
Source: www.123rf.com
Avocado
Moisturizing, soothing and antioxidant rich.
Source: www.pantryspa.com
Uncoated Aspirin
Contains salicylic acid, a good exfoliate. One or two crushed aspirin is all you need.
Source: doina-touchinghearts.blogspot.com
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Moisturizing plus full of antioxidants. Use organic if you can find it.
Source: oliveoil.bz
Lemon Juice
The acids in lemon juice smooth skin and shrink pores.
Source: recipesforjuicing.blogspot.com
Bananas
Provide moisture and are full of antioxidants.
Source: myampfloracel.blogspot.com
Baking Soda
Exfoliates and kills bacteria.
Source: www.yummyplanet.es
Aloe Vera Plant
Cut the leaves to get the soothing juice. Also has antibiotic properties.
Source: www.articlesbase.com
Milk
Soothing and also contains lactic acid, a mild exfoliate.
Source: puppymilk.org
Sugar
Glycolic acid in sugar smooths skin.
Source: www.etsy.com
Salt
Exfoliating and natural antibiotic.
Source: kathleenflinn.com
Witch Hazel
Antioxidant and astringent (pore shrinking) properties.
Source: www1.my719moms.com
