Strawberries contain natural alpha-hydroxy acids that deep-clean the skin while providing gentle, exfoliating action. “Using fruits in masks is especially well-suited for oily, wide-pored and blemished skin,” notes natural beauty author Dina Falconi. Prepare a mask using strawberries alone, or add other ingredients also known for helping acne-prone skin. Do a test patch on a small section of your neck or arm to rule out a skin allergy to strawberries or any of the optional ingredients, such as essential oils.
Strawberry Face Mask
Step 1
Spread a towel over your bed or a lounge chair in preparation for lying down with the face mask.
Step 2
Chop one or two strawberries, making sure to remove the stem.
Step 3
Place the strawberries in a bowl, and mash them well. Alternatively, process the strawberries in a blender or food processor.
Step 4
Put the mashed strawberries in a fine-mesh sieve.
Step 5
Press the juice from the strawberry pulp using a wooden spoon or potato masher. If desired, place a bowl under the sieve to reserve juice for another use.
Step 6
Stand before a mirror, and gently spread the strawberry pulp over your face. Focus on your forehead, nose, chin and the pores around your nose. Avoid getting the pulp into your eyes.
Step 7
Lie down on your back in bed or on a lounge chair with your head slightly elevated.
Step 8
Rest for about 10 minutes with your face mask on.
Step 9
Rinse off the face mask, and gently pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Strawberry Face Mask Deluxe
Step 1
Follow Steps 1 through 5 from Section 1.
Step 2
Return the drained strawberry pulp to the bowl or blender.
Step 3
Add 1 tbsp. witch hazel.
Step 4
Add 1 tsp. cosmetic clay, such as bentonite clay.
Step 5
Add two drops each lemon essential oil and cypress essential oil.
Step 6
Follow steps 6 to 9 from Method 1.
Tips and Warnings
- Face masks often work best if preceded by a facial steam. To steam acne-prone skin, add healing herbs or essential oils after bringing 3 cups water to a simmer. Use 1 tsp. each strawberry leaves, chamomile flowers, lavender flowers, eucalyptus leaves and rosemary needles. Alternatively, use the essential oil version of the same herbs, using about one drop each for a total of four to five drops. Immediately remove the pan from the stove, set the pan on a heat-proof surface, and lean over the pan with a towel over your head and the pan to form a steam tent. Steam your face for about five minutes. Optional ingredients to add to the strawberry face mask include corn meal in place of the bentonite clay and plain water in place of the witch hazel. Consider chopping strawberry leaves, if you have access to them, and adding about 1 tbsp. of them to the mask. If the mixture seems too dry, add a small amount of the reserved strawberry juice.
Things You'll Need
- 1 to 2 strawberries
- Bowl
- Potato masher or forks
- Blender or food processor (optional)
- Wooden spoon
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Large towel
- Clean face towel
- Witch hazel
- Bentonite clay
- Cypress essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Herbs for a facial steam (optional)
- Essential oils for a facial steam (optional)
References
- "Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair"; Dina Falconi; 1998
- "Herbal Body Book"; Jeanne Rose; 2000
- MotherNature.com: The Face
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