Homemade Facial Masks

by Valerie Gladstone — September 5, 2007

There's nothing like a facial mask for making your face feel fresh and clean. And there's no reason not to make your own. Let me know how these work out and if you'd like me to find more for you. Common ingredients to keep on hand include honey, olive oil, oatmeal, plain yoghurt, and eggs.

Masks:

• For oily skin: Rub on plain Milk of Magnesia and let dry. Rinse with warm water.
• For normal/combination skin: Mix 1 egg and 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and 1 tsp olive oil until smooth. Spread on your face and leave 15 min. Then rinse.
• For dry skin: Mix one egg yolk, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp olive oil and some vitamin E oil (if available). Smooth on and leave on for 15 min. Rinse in lukewarm water and pat dry.

If your skin is dry, dab on a bit of olive oil, or any other light oil, or plain Crisco if you want something heavier, while it's still moist after washing off your mask.

For All Skin Types

Masks should usually stay on 10 to 15 minutes. Follow by cleansing with warm water and then applying a thin layer of moisturizer.

Clay Mask
1 1/2tsp green clay (French is preferred)
1/2 tsp kaolin clay
1 1/2 tbsp aloe vera gel
1 tbsp rosewater

Mix green and kaolin clays. Add the aloe vera gel, rosewater and oils. Refrigerate mixture for up to 4 weeks.

Orange Yogurt Mask
1 tsp plain yogurt
Juice of 1/4 of an orange

Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face. The sensation is both cool and relaxing. Leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse. It's wonderfully invigorating.

Orange Cornmeal Mask
1 peeled orange
1/4 cup oatmeal

Put in blender and mix well. Apply to a slightly damp face. Leave on for 10 minutes, then spray a bit of warm water on face and use circular motion to work mask around the face. Rinse.

Apple Mask
1/4 of an apple
1/2 tsp half and half
1 tsp honey
1 Tbsp oatmeal

Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth, apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Yogurt and Honey Mask
1 tsp honey
1 capsule of vitamin A
1 Tbsp yogurt
3/4 egg yolk
A small amount of cornstarch for thickening

Mix well and apply mask to clean skin and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Buttermilk Mask
1/3 cup rolled oats soaked several hours in buttermilk and strained
1 capsule of vitamin A

Mix well. Apply mixture and leave on 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse.

Flour Mask
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
Enough milk to form a paste

Apply to face and leave on 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse.

Moisturizing Honey and Lemon Mask
1 Tbsp honey (room temperature)
1 tsp lemon juice

Blend. Apply for 30 minutes. Rinse.