Why buy face masks when you can make your own? You’ll save money, help the environment and avoid exposing your skin to hundreds of toxins found in commercial skin care products.
Plus, you’ll most likely have many of the ingredients on hand, in your kitchen or pantry.
Here are 18 of the best DIY face mask recipes out there, to sort out a multitude of skin problems from fine lines and age-spots to redness and dryness.
Dry and Flaky Skin
There’s nothing worse than that tight itchy feeling on your face, and flaking skin thanks to a lack of moisture. When cold weather comes around, make sure to try one of these masks and say goodbye to dry and flaky skin.
Coconut Oil and Frankincense Mask
Made with coconut oil, banana and frankincense essential oil, this mask will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Coconut oil is an amazing natural moisturizer (and has a ton of other uses too like these ones here). It’s also antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal which will help keep pimples at bay.
According to Dr Mercola, frankincense essential oil is great for healthy skin. Not only does it treat dryness but it may help reverse signs of aging and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Avocado Oatmeal Mask
A great mask for those with dry skin, as it contains the healthy fat source – avocado.
Avocado is used in lots of beauty products and with good reason – it contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin E, which is vital to nourish and repair your skin.
The oatmeal helps remove dead cells, and relieves dryness and inflammation. Oats also contain polysaccharides, which leave a protective film on the skin, helping to combat dryness.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Oily Skin
Excess oil on your face leaves you feeling greasy and uncomfortable, not to mention the problem of make-up slipping off your face! Try one of these remedies to get the shine under control.
Green Tea, Rice Flour and Lemon Juice Mask
This Asian-inspired mask will soak that excess oil and sebum right up, thanks to the rice flour.
Using green tea on the skin is said to reduce the production of sebum, while lemon juice will moisturize and tone oily skin, leaving it looking glowing and healthy.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Strawberry, Lemon and Clay Mask
Strawberries are great for fighting oily skin as they are rich in Vitamin C and naturally acidic, which means they remove excess sebum.
Bentonite clay (also known as kaolin) is a must for those with oily skin – it’s one of the best ways to absorb oil and tighten pores.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Combination Skin
Combination skin can be quite a challenge when it comes to skincare products. After all, you’re trying to treat both oily and dry skin! Try these recipes to balance things out.
Avocado and Coconut Oil Mask
This recipe might seem a little counterintuitive at first – applying two oils to combination skin. But certain natural oils to can actually help to balance overactive oil glands by deep-cleaning your skin.
And, according to the mask’s creator over at Beauty Munsta, this is the best mask for combination skin, as both ingredients have hydrating and oil controlling properties.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Gram Flour, Olive Oil & Milk Mask
This mask, created by a scientist and skincare line founder, will nourish your skin. Gram flour has oil absorption properties, and is also used to remove dead cells and dirt.
Thanks to its healthy fat content, and antioxidant vitamins A and E, the extra virgin olive oil will nourish the skin, while minimizing damage from sun exposure and pollutants.
Finally, the milk will brighten and soften. (You could also use coconut milk here if you prefer.)
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Acne and Pimples
If you’re suffering from spots, pimples and scarring, you’re not alone. It’s the most common skin condition in the US, affecting both adolescents and adults. It’s still no fun to live with – ease your symptoms with a soothing face treatments.
Aspirin and Lemon Mask
Dr. Oz is a big fan of this purifying mask for oily skin! Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which acts as a chemical peel to reduce acne and lesions.
The lemon juice is full of vitamin C, an antioxidant which both nourishes and exfoliates.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Soothing Aloe Vera and Tea Tree Oil Mask
Tea tree oil is a go-to natural remedy for acne and pimples. Studies have shown that tea tree oil is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, commonly used in acne creams, in treating the skin condition.
Because acne can be painful, the aloe vera will work wonders to reduce the soreness, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. Aloe also contains Vitamins C and E, which will help the appearance of acne scarring.
If you’re looking for a deep acne treatment, try leaving this mask on overnight.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Minimize Pores
Did you know there are 5 million pores on the average human body? It’s a good thing that only a small number ever seem to get clogged or enlarged!
That said, large pores can be annoying and can look unsightly – here’s how to minimize them:
Cucumber, Aloe Vera and Oat Mask
Cucumber works to stimulate the skin and tighten pores, whilst cooling any inflammation. The aloe vera will moisturize and heal minor skin irritations while the oatmeal exfoliates the skin, removing any build-up in pores.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Tomato, Lemon and Oat Mask
You might not want to put tomato on your face but, if you have large pores, there’s good reason to try it.
Their acidic properties help pores seem less visible. Tomato juice also balances the skin tone and eliminates excess oil before it has a chance to clog up those pores.
Your skin will look visibly brighter, thanks to the vitamin C in both the lemon and tomato.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Blackheads
Said to be the first stage of acne, blackheads are a result of clogged pores that become oxidized. Be sure to rid your skin of them before they turn into full blown pimples!
Baking Soda, Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice Mask
A great combination for those who suffer from large and clogged pores, this mask is not for those with dry skin.
Baking soda is a great natural exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and oil build-up while apple Cider Vinegar has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral benefits. ACV is also said to balance the pH of the skin.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Saffron, Clay, Rose Water and Tea Tree Mask
Saffron, known by some as the ‘Holy Grail’ of natural skincare, makes a great skin toner, especially when mixed with rose water.
After using tea tree oil and clay to strip away impurities such as blackheads, this saffron and rose water combination will condition the skin.
Saffron also reduces bacterial growth and its antioxidants work to protect the skin from damaging free radicals, which cause premature aging.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Anti-Aging Masks
You can’t stop the signs of aging but these face masks may help reduce some of their tell-tale signs like age spots, sun damage and fine lines.
Try adding in one of these 17 anti-aging oils to the below recipes for added anti-aging power!
Green Tea and Turmeric Mask
Turmeric is well-known in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as an anti-ageing and healing spice. Its properties extend beyond eating it though – it possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties which keep skin supple and glowing.
Tests on mice have even shown that topically applying curcumin, the main antioxidant in turmeric, can reduce the signs of aging by UV damage.
Be careful if you have light skin – curcumin can stain it if left on too long!
Don’t forget about green tea’s incredible health benefits. Plus it contains potent antioxidants which can help protect against the damage of UV rays.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Apple, Potato and Lemon Mask
Age spots can really giveaway the age of your skin. This mask helps to fade them and reduce the appearance of fine lines all in one.
Both potato and lemon are known for their skin bleaching properties and, as an added bonus, lemon’s citric acid content will help tighten pores.
Apples are rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which can fight premature aging.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Brighten Dull Skin
Lifeless skin can add years to you. Don’t let go of your youthful glow just yet!
Peach and Tomato Mask
While not a combination you might want to eat, it works wonders on tired skin.
Peaches are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants which invigorate the skin and leave it glowing. The Vitamin C and astringent qualities in tomatoes will perk dull skin up in minutes.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Coffee and Cocoa Mask
If coffee can wake us up, there’s no reason it can’t perk up our skin too!
It also has anti-inflammatory properties which will reduce puffiness and it works as a natural exfoliator.
Cocoa is one of the most antioxidant rich foods in the world and is chockfull of nutrients including protein, fat, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and copper.
After you’ve made this fabulous mask why not check out all the other genius ways to use coffee grounds for beauty, home and more?
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Redness
Soothe your angry skin with this calming recipe. But don’t forget that redness can often be the result of acne or dry skin so make sure to check out the face masks for those problems too.
Chamomile Olive Oil Mask
Chamomile tea is naturally soothing. As well as drinking it, why not try it topically to calm and relieve redness?
The olive oil will naturally moisturize and prevent dryness and flaking, which may also contribute to red and itchy skin.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Uneven Skin Tone
There are so many reasons why we can suffer from uneven skin tone – everything from pollution to sun exposure can cause that unhealthy shading. Even things out again with this balancing homemade mask.
Lemongrass and Coconut Oil Mask
Enjoy the gorgeous scent of this mask as it works to remove dead skin cells, freckles and dark spots. It will also reduce scarring from pimples and acne leaving you with a clear, smooth skin tone.
Lemongrass is a fantastic toner due to its astringent and antiseptic qualities. It also calms and relieves tension, which keeps those stress-induced under eye bags and fine lines at bay.
Coconut oil never ceases to amaze! In addition to all its other amazing qualities and uses, it can be used to fade uneven pigmentation.
(For full instructions on how to make this mask, see here.)
Before you try out some of these great face mask recipes, why not make sure you get the full benefits from them by giving your skin an all-natural scrub beforehand?