You can make lovely facemasks, and scrubs from ingredients in your own kitchen. They can be either nourishing and moisturising, or deep cleansing and exfoliatiating, or a combination of the two.
Banana and milk face mask
This is a fabulous Ayurvedic mask which is a favourite of mine.
Mash up a few slices of banana with a small amount of milk.
It is better if the milk is not too cold or it will close your pores.
Spread thinly on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.
It is particularly good for dry, delicate skin. My skin feels really soft and smooth after this. It is very gentle and not too drying which suits me.
Moisturising ingredients for nourishing masks:
(For nourishing dry and mature skin)
Avocado
Egg yolk
Whipped Cream
Vegetable oils
Shea butter
Milk
Exfoliating ingredients for scrubs and masks:
Oat meal
Chick Pea Flour
Barley Flour
Fullers Earth - for oily skin
Clays
Ground almonds
Sugar (for scrubs)
Amla Powder
Herbs and flowers:
(For adding scent, therapeutic effect and some exfoliating effect)
Lavender petals
Calendula petals - good for sensitive skin
Rose petals - cooling and good for dry, sensitive skin
Chamomile petals - good for sensitive skin
Neem Powder - an ayurvedic herb used in skin care particularly for blemishes.
Astringent ingredients
(For oily skin or tightening pores)
Amla powder
Fruit and fruit juices
Egg white
Rosewater -- cooling and good for dry, sensitive skin
Other floral waters
Honey - astringent, but also draws moisture to the skin, and it is great for drawing out impurities.
Liquid ingredients:
(More mixing together and adding therapeutic value)
Yogurt
Rosewater
Fruit juice
Milk - gentle and nourishing for dry skin
Herbal Teas
Aloe Vera Juice - cooling and good for sensitive skin
How to use a face mask
1. Firstly mix all the ingredients together and make sure they are not too cold or it could close your pores.
2. Cleanse your face to remove makeup and dirt, then apply gentle heat to open your pores, either by steaming your face, or applying a warm damp face cloth to your face.
3. Apply the mask to your face, and if you have time take a rest while the mask works. The mask is usually left on for about 5 to 30 minutes, or at least until it dries, depending on the recipe and your skin type. If it is left on for too long it may irritate your skin. If you feel any discomfort then rinse it off immediately.
4. Rinse off the mask with warm water, and if it helps you can use a damp face cloth to remove it.
5. Tone and moisturise your face.
6. Finally, look in the mirror to see how good you look! Snow White eat your heart out!
If you have your own favourite face mask recipe which you would like to share, please let us know about it by adding a comment below.
If you dont have time to make your own face masks and scrubs check out our ready made scrubs and face masks here