By Skye Cross
If you have been anything like me, you have been adjusting to quarantine by trying just about every TikTok trend or trying out tons of new at-home self-care tips. Although this is a time where you may feel like you are shut in the house, it’s the perfect time to take some “you” time and spend a little extra time focusing on getting your skin ready for the summer months ahead. In this article, I will be sharing some of the face mask recipes I have tested out myself over break using ingredients that you can usually just find around the house.
Before trying out any of the face masks, it is a good idea to keep in mind that your skin, especially on your face, can be sensitive. Even by using simple ingredients like the ones in these recipes, it is always a good idea to test a little bit of the mask out on your arm before applying it for your face. This way, you can avoid any reactions or irritation so the masks can leave you with the intended results.
The first mask that will give even the dullest of skin a noticeable glow is a Honey and Citrus Mask. All you need for this recipe is three tablespoons of orange juice and a quarter cup of honey. Measure and mix these two ingredients together and leave on our skin about 15 minutes. Once you feel like the time has come to wash the mask off, use lukewarm water and follow up with a moisturizer to lock all the moisture in place.
A tip when it comes to making at-home face masks, is that many of the ingredients you are using have natural benefits to your skin even if you weird using the same things on your face as your dinner. For example, honey is a natural humectant which helps your skin remain moisturized without have an oily residue to it. Sugar is a great exfoliant because it is gentle enough to get dry skin off without being too harsh to damage your skin while exfoliating. There are hundreds of foods or other kitchen essentials that have great benefits when used as topical products on your skin, if you are ever wondering how you can use that leftover avocado sitting in your pantry, just Google it and see how you can incorporate into your beauty routine.
The next mask is for oily skin, and although I personally have dry skin, my friends swear by this Egg and Oatmeal Mask to target the oily regions of their face, smooth, and tighten. For this recipe, you will need one egg, a tablespoon of honey, a tablespoon, and a half cup of oatmeal. Oatmeal of any kind will work, but plain oats are the best options if you have them available. Mix all the ingredients well until it is a thick paste texture. Let the mixture sit on your face for about 20 minutes and rinse off. By using this mask every few days throughout the week, you will notice any oily spots you had will become much more manageable.
If you are trying to target an uneven skin tone and texture, a simple mask made up of one tablespoon of honey, plain yogurt, and turmeric powder will do the trick. Turmeric is used in several products because of its properties to combat pigmentation. Just leave this mask on for about 15 minutes and you will be able see results after your first use. Try this Turmeric Even Skin a couple times during the week to see the overall appearance of your skin start to become more even and smoother.
Another mask that is great for those who struggle with hyperpigmentation, uneven skin, or even sunspots is a Papaya Lightening Mask. In a bowl, mix two tablespoons of honey and a half cup of mashed papaya. Once both ingredients are mixed, leave it on your skin for 15 minutes to see your skin become soft and any preexisting redness reduced.
Skye Cross is an Editorial and Marketing Intern who specializes in writing pieces related to beauty, current trends in media, and social equality.