Face masks are quite popular among younger generations these days. With the birth of dozens of new face mask companies within the past few years, face masks are becoming almost as common as face lotion and overnight creams. But, rather than spend your money buying a face mask, look around your house for common ingredients that you can use to make your own!

Making face masks at home out or natural, easy to find ingredients is a great DIY project that anyone can do.

You could buy face masks at a store, but no matter how natural they say they are, there is a good chance that they contain preservatives and other chemicals that are more harmful than good. If you want to get creative and make your own face masks, you’ll need to use only the best ingredients. 

That’s where this article comes in handy. To find out what ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen are good for your skin, keep reading! 

Best Natural Face Mask Ingredients

One of the more common uses for face masks is to alleviate dry skin. Whether your skin is suffering due to a new medication, cold weather, or even if dry skin is in your DNA, there is more often than not a cure for you. 

Relieving acne and redness are other common reasons for using face masks. Whatever your reason, there are some ingredients you should utilize and others that you should steer clear of. 

Natural lotions can often do the trick, but for more long-term effects, a hydrating face mask will be your best bet. So, if you want to get creative and make your own face masks, here is a list of some of the many natural ingredients that are great for the skin.

Dana Tentis

When making a moisturizing face mask, use some of these ingredients:

  • Grape seed oil preserves your skin with vitamin C and E, making your skin softer and more elastic. It even helps even out skin tone, too. 
  • Olive oil is rich in vitamins K and E, and has antioxidants that soften and prevent your skin from aging. 
  • Coconut oil increases lipids, also known as fats, on your skin’s surface, making it more hydrated. 
  • Honey, both raw and processed, has a history of being used to cure dry skin. It creates a seal over your skin that keeps moisture in and leaves you with smooth skin.
  • Aloe Vera is one of the best natural moisturizers you can use. It helps not only with dry skin, but with different forms of eczema, too. 
  • Sunflower seed oil hydrates skin with essential fatty acids. It can also protect skin from inflammation and irritation. 

When making an anti-acne face mask, use some of these ingredients:

  • Cucumber is often used to relieve puffiness around the eyes, but it can also soothe your skin and get rid of some redness. 
  • Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants that can drastically improve skin conditions when used in masks and facials. 
  • Plain yogurt contains lactic acid which helps dry out acne. 
  • Lime juice helps get rid of your skin’s excess acne-causing oils. 
  • Strawberries can soothe inflamed skin due to its antioxidants and vitamin C content.
  • Garlic has antibacterial properties that help reduce swelling and kill acne-causing bacteria.

While there are ingredients that are great for your skin, there are other ingredients that you should stay away from:

  • Alcohol, when applied directly to the skin, can leave you with itchy, red, dry patches.  
  • Most essential oils are not always as essential as they seem. They are known to irritate skin more than help it — especially the aromatic oils. 
  • Petrolatum creates a barrier over your skin, making it seem like your skin is soft and hydrated, but ultimately leaves your skin drier than before. 
  • Coal tar is found in hundreds of makeup products and is mainly used as a coloring agent. When coal tar is applied to your skin, it can cause skin irritation, dryness, and acne. 
  • Triclosan is often found in soaps and cosmetics due to its ability to elongate shelf life and to prevent mold. However, triclosan causes skin and eye irritation and can even affect your hormones. 

Easy DIY Face Mask Recipes

If you want to make your own face mask, you can get creative with your ingredient combinations. Look at the list above of all the great natural ingredients you can use, and start coming up with your own mask ideas. Or, you can try the following combinations. 

Before putting anything on your face, though, make sure to test it out on a less obvious area of your body, like your arm or neck. This way, if you have a negative reaction to any of the ingredients, you won’t be damaging the delicate skin on your face.

Avocado + Honey + Oatmeal

@estudiobloom

The avocado and raw honey hydrate your skin and prevent breakouts while the oatmeal helps exfoliate and get rid of any dry, flaky skin. 

Step 1 – Combine ½ a fresh avocado, a tablespoon of raw honey, and a sprinkling of oatmeal in a bowl.

Step 2 – Gently rub the mask onto your previously washed face with small circles. 

Step 3 – Use slightly warm water to wash the mask off after about 10 minutes, then pat dry.

Coconut oil + Lime juice + Honey

@matthew_t_rader

The coconut oil and honey give your skin a rejuvenated glow while the lime juice helps fight bacteria and prevent breakouts.

Step 1 – Combine 2 tablespoons of natural honey, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and ½ a tablespoon of lime juice into a bowl. Mix well. 

Step 2 – Apply the mask to your freshly washed face and let it sit for 10 minutes. 

Step 3 – Use slightly warm water to wash the mask off, then pat dry. 

Lemon juice + Grape seed oil + Brown sugar

@estudiobloom

The grape seed oil works to hydrate your skin while the brown sugar is a great exfoliant. The lemon juice helps to brighten your skin. 

Step 1 – Combine 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and ½ a tablespoon of lemon juice into a bowl. Mix well. 

Step 2 – Put the mask on to your freshly washed face and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3 – Gently wash it off with slightly warm water. 

Now that you’ve read through a few example face mask recipes, why not try coming up with your own? To make your face mask even more unique, you can add in a couple drops of an essential oil into the mix. Lavender, frankincense, tea tree, and chamomile essential oils are especially beneficial in face masks. 

Make sure to do your research! If you have an idea for a face mask that includes an ingredient not mentioned here, look up what its skin benefits are first before using it. 

Once your face mask is complete, any leftovers can be saved in a jar or bottle for future use. If you used ingredients that spoil quickly, like avocado for example, you may need to store your face mask in the refrigerator. 

So, have fun and get creative with your face masks. Making DIY facials at home is a great way to pass the time — it’s fun and your skin will thank you. 

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