I’ve mentioned in one of my older posts, that I have recently discovered small wrinkles under my eyes. Being a person who likes all things natural, I took to the all powerful source of information – The Internet, to find ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or even prevent new ones from developing.
I always knew that natural ingredients are great for the skin, and that fruits and vegetables not only benefit us from within, but can also be applied directly to the skin to achieve amazing results. You wouldn’t believe how fast and effective these all natural, homemade masks were! After only using these masks a few times, people started noticing that my skin looked better. Someone even told me that my wrinkles disappeared! While, I know they didn’t disappear, their appearance is definitely softer and not as noticeable.
Although, I can’t say that I am an expert, as I am still testing out various homemade facial masks, I thought I’d put together a list of the ones I’ve tried so far, and have felt the positive effects of, so that you too can start using these regularly to maintain a beautiful and healthy skin.
Before I give you the recipes, I wanted to quickly tell you of the process of how you should apply and remove these facial masks.
Start by washing and cleansing your face with warm water. What this dose is opens up the pores and makes the masks a lot more effective, as they penetrate the skin on a deeper level. You can always apply the masks after a shower, which would be ideal. Once your skin is clean and the pores are nice and open, dry any moisture with a towel.
Next, apply your chosen mask using a brush or your fingers all over your face and neck, making sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.
Once the time is up, I usually take off the mask using tissues. I find it to be a less messier approach, than just trying to rinse off the mask into the sink (of course, this depends on which mask you are using) Once you’ve taken off the mask, rinse your face and neck with cool water, which will close off the pores. Again, dry off your skin with a towel and always end with a thin layer of your favourite moisturizer.
There are a million different recipes out there, you should do your research and choose whichever one suits you and your skin type the most. Here are a few recipes that I’ve tried and like so far:
For Dry Skin:
Avocado Mask
1 Ripe Avocado
2 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Yogurt
2 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Yogurt
Mash the avocado with a fork until it is of smooth, creamy consistency, then add in the honey and the yogurt and mix well together. Avocados and honey are great moisturizers, packed with nutrients. This mask is particularly great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. Apply all over your face & neck, avoiding the eyes, and leave on for 15-20 minutes.
Honey Mask
2 tbsp Honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
This is one super easy, and I found it to be very effective. Simply stir in the honey with the lemon juice, apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 30 minutes. Honey is a known humectant, which means it works as a natural mosituriser. It is hydroscopic, drawing pure moisture into you skin to help hydrate, smooth and soften. My skin felt silky smooth, and the wrinkles under my eyes were a lot less noticeable after only a few uses.
Banana Mask
1/2 of banana, peeled and mashed
1 tbsp honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tbsp honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
Peel and mash the banana with a fork. Stir in the honey and the lemon juice. Apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 20-25 minutes. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals, and contain triptophan, a natural relaxant. Bananas are also one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A, B (folic acid), E and F. On top of that, banana acts as a cleanser and a moisturizer all in one.
Egg White and Olive Oil Mask
1 egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil.
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil.
Beat egg white until smooth, add the lemon juice and the olive oil. Smooth all over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. This is a great anti-wrinkle mask. Egg white tightens the pores, while olive oil nourishes the skin.
Cucumber Yogurt Mask
1/2 cup cucumber, grated
2 tbsp plain yogurt
2 tbsp plain yogurt
Cut the cucumber in half, spoon out the seeds and grate the cucumber with the skin on. Add the plain yogurt and mix well together. Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Cucumber helps to sooth and soften the skin, leaving it smooth and supple.
Go ahead and give these recipes a try. Anybody should be able to do these, as these ingredients can easily be found in most of our kitchens. It is super easy, fast and way more inexpensive than store bought creams and treatments, or botox and plastic surgery. I think the earlier we start to take care of our bodies, inside and out, and especially our skin, the better. So don’t put it off any longer.
Try these at home, and come back to let me know of the results.
