Minor breakouts and dull, dry or blotchy skin--there are many complexion problems that may respond to a facial mask. Even if you're blessed with trouble-free skin, it never hurts to fine-tune it with a brightening or moisturizing mask. There's no need to shell out big bucks and buy products from a salon—you can make a facial mask using inexpensive household ingredients.
Lemons are a popular ingredient in many homemade facial masks, but if you're fresh out of lemons, or prefer not to use them, you can still make a beneficial facial mask. Try a small amount on your wrist 24 hours before using to make sure you're not allergic to the ingredients; you should also check with your doctor before using rose essential oil.
Step 1
Combine 2 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. almond oil, and 5 drops of essential oil of rose, and blend them well. Pierce a vitamin E capsule with the tine of a clean fork, and add 1 drop to the honey and oil mixture. This facial mask, suggested by All Natural Beauty and drawn from the National Honey Board, puts four different beneficial substances to work on your face at once.
Honey is a natural humectant, helping to hold moisture in the skin; it also has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Whole Foods notes that honey has 6 different types of beneficial lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria, and also works as an antioxidant to scavenge harmful free radicals. According to Ageless, almond oil is a natural, skin-softening emollient that is easily absorbed by the skin.
Step 2
Apply the facial mask to your clean face, massaging it into the skin with the tip of your fingers. The mixture can be messy; you may want to wear an old smock or shirt for the application, and apply the facial mask over a sink.
Step 3
Allow the mask to stay on your face for 15 minutes. Not only does this allow time for the natural ingredients to pamper your skin, but you will get the benefit of the uplifting scent rose oil. Aura Cacia notes that aromatherapists use rose oil to inspire emotional calm and stability.
There is some laboratory research supporting this practice. In a study titled "Anxiolytic-like Effects of Rose Oil Inhalation on the Elevated Plus-Maze Test in Rats," in the February 2004 issue of "Pharmacology Biochemical and Behavior," researchers found that the effect of rose oil inhalation on rats compared with the anxiety-reducing effects of diazepam, commercially known as Valium.
Step 4
Rinse the mask off with lukewarm--never hot--water. Pat skin dry with a soft towel, and apply a good-quality commercial or natural moisturizer.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. sweet almond oil
- 5 drops essential oil of rose
- 1 drop vitamin E oil
- Good-quality commercial or natural moisturizer
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