Make Your Own Homemade Face Mask
from http://beauty.about.com/

Recipes for 6 Different Skin Types

Why pay for a face mask when you can use basic ingredients found around the house to make your own simple, hydrating masks. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, mud or clay-based masks are great for balancing out your skin. Dry skin will benefit from hydrating masks made from glycerin, honey and oils. Ginseng or green tea masks are great for soothing sensitive skin.

Unlike Facial Cleansers, face masks (homemade or store bought) should stay on for 10-15 minutes. Follow the Home Facial Instructions to get the full benefit of a facial mask.

Normal Skin

If dryness or breakouts are of no real concern for you, you have many options when it comes to masks. You can use one that will give you radiance, one for deep cleaning or a gentle one for sensitive skin. Regardless of how “normal” your skin may be; you’ll see benefits from using a weekly mask.

Oily or Combination Skin

People with oily or combination skin do best with regular use of a clay mask. Clay is great for removing excess oil, deep cleaning your pores and preventing and clearing up blackheads. Natural clay is a great detoxifying treatment for your face without leaving your skin extra dry. Most clay masks work fine with sensitive skin.

Dry Skin

People with dry skin use a mask for a very different reason than those with oily skin. You are not looking to reduce oil, but add moisture. Using a moisture mask will rejuvenate and plump your skin. Many masks for dry skin include at least a bit of “sink-in” effect. You leave the mask on your skin for up to 10 minute and then rub it in a bit more before wiping off the excess. You’ll notice immediately smoother, softer skin.

Mature Skin

If you’re looking to firm up the skin on your face and neck, chances are good you have dry skin. You can either use a mask meant for dry skin or a mask specified “firming”. A firming mask will boost your skins moisture content which will reduce fine lines caused by your skins dehydration. This will give the appearance of a more youthful, firmer face. Massage onto your face and leave for about 10 minutes before you rinse off.

Dull Skin

If you’re looking for a boost of radiance, exfoliating masks will certainly help you. Look for a peel off mask which will exfoliate your skin leaving it smooth and fresh. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts to naturally exfoliate and usually smell fantastic. When peeling off some exfoliating masks, your mind will wander back to peeling off Elmer’s glue in elementary school. But not all exfoliating mask are uncomfortables. You'll be so glad you tried it when you see how happy you are with the noticeable results.

 

All Skin Types

Egg Whites and Yogurt Mask

Model Shalom Harlow calls this face mask, "so moisturizing and soothing." The best part? It only has 2 ingredients.

Separate the egg whites from a couple eggs and place them in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of yogurt (do not use flavored yogurt!). Mix them up and apply to face. Leave on face for a few minutes then rinse face in warm water, followed by a warm washcloth.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Face Mask

This face mask is suitable for all skin types and is super simple to prepare. It will cleanse and rejuvenate your skin.

Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together.

Warm a few drop of honey. To do this, warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon.

Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture.

Apply the mask to the face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water. Follow with a warm washcloth.

Apply moisturizer.

Rejuvenating Pumpkin Mask for All Skin Types

Pumpkin pulp is full of antioxidants. This recipe is adapted from one in Vogue Magazine that was created by a well-known Santa Monica facialist, Chanel Jenae of Santa Monica. In the article, Jenae says pumpkin is loaded with natural exfoliating acids and antioxidants. She uses pumpkin pulp in her facial peels at her salon “to brighten, calm breakouts, and soften the appearance of fine lines and sun damage.”

Purée the fresh pumpkin pulp into a thick paste. Add the egg (this acts as a binder). If your skin is dry, stir in a splash of omega-rich almond milk and the honey. For oilier complexions, instead stir in apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice. Mix well. Apply the mask, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, depending on your skin sensitivity. Rinse with cool water and moisturize as usual.

Homemade 'Cat Litter' Mask for All Skin Types

We got this recipe off a TV show years ago. The beauty expert (Diane Irons) swore cat litter is made of the same ingredients as special clays found in $100 spa facials. We tried this and loved it.

Natural clay cat litter is made of clay formed into tiny pellets and dried. When shopping for a natural clay cat litter, check the ingredients for "sodium betonite clay" or "100 percent natural clay."

Mix in a couple tablespoons of the cat litter with water and drops of oil (we find the oil helps make the experience somehow less kitty litter-ish)
Apply mask to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.

Yogurt Face Mask for All Skin Types

This simple (only two ingredients!) cooling mask is great for soothing a sunburnt face. It's great for all skin types.

Combine mixture, then apply to face. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wash face with steaming washcloth.

For dry skin, use an extra tsp of honey. Oily skin? Add a few drops of fresh lime juice.

Homemade Clay Mask for All Skin Types

This clay mask will make skin super soft. Masks (homemade or otherwise) should stay on for 10-15 minutes. Follow with a cleansing and a thin layer of moisturizer.

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

Natural skin brightener recipe from India (July 2008 Cosmopolitan Magazine) Mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder in 1 cup of plain yogurt. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off.

Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Banana Mask for Oily Skin

This recipe requires super-ripe bananas and a bit of honey. This is a soothing face mask and great if you have bananas around the house.

Mix the banana and honey together. Add a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon. Apply to face for 15 minutes before rinsing with a cool washcloth or a steaming warm washcloth.

Aspirin Mask for Healing Acne, Pimples, Rashes

Crush aspirin and mix in water/oil/honey for a mask meant to dry up pimples. Makeupalley.com users swear by this mask (out of 2030 reviewers at the time of this writing, a whopping 85 percent said they would "try it again").

Depending on the amount of coverage needed, use 1-3 aspirin. Crush the aspirin into small pieces by rolling a coffee cup or glass cup over them. Place aspirin in a shallow dish. Stir in a few drops of water to help the aspirin dissolve into a paste. Add warm honey, moisturizer or a bit of oil (almond, olive or coconut works). Stir well. Apply as a mask or spot treat the pimple or itchy area. Allow to dry. Wash off after 10 minutes.

Strawberry Acne Mask

Why buy acne products when you use strawberries? Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid which is found in most over-the-counter acne medicines, according to Janice Cox, the author of "Natural Beauty at Home." This is Cox's recipe. The yogurt is great for soothing skin.

Mash together the strawberries and yogurt or sour cream. Spread on face and wash after 10-15 minutes.

Simple Mask for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

This recipe is adapted from Paula Begoun's book, 'The Beauty Bible'. According to Begoun in her famous book, Milk of Magnesia is actually liquid magnesium. Like clay, it's from the earth, but has disinfecting qualities and absorbs oil better than clay. A friend of mine tried this and said her skin never felt better. She loved the natural qualities of the mask, which she doesn't find in store-bought products.

Apply the Milk of Magnesia to face. Wash with cool washcloth after 10-15 minutes.

Green Clay Mask for Oily Skin

When it comes to face masks, there's no better clay than green clay, also known as "bentonite." This purifying mask is wonderful for oily skin and was adapted from a recipe found in the book, "Natural Beauty Recipe Book." You can get all of these ingredients in any natural food store or online. You can get the apricot kernel oil and the palmarosa essential oil online. This clay mask will help draw out excess sebum from pores.

Mix the palmarosa and apricot oils together. Add a few drops of warm water. Mix together and add more water if need be to get a good, spreadable paste. Apply mask. Let dry for 10 minutes. Rinse off with a warm washcloth.

Homemade Clay Mask for Oily, Dry, Combination and Acne-Prone Skin

Clay masks are soothing and healing to skin helping to neutralize the skin. You can pick up a basic green clay (also known as bentonite clay) from any health-food store. Clay comes in powder form. Add water if you have oily skin, jojoba oil if you have dry skin or milk for combo skin to create a workable mask.

I find it's best to mix 2 parts liquid to 1 part clay.

Choose your liquid based on your skin type. If you have oily skin, choose water. Combination skin, choose milk or half and half and if you have dry skin, opt for jojoba oil.

Mix in a bit of honey. Add more liquid if clay is too dry. Add a few drops of the essential oil (this step is optional).

Keep mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with a steaming washcloth (I like to steam my washcloths with a couple drops of the essential oils in the microwave, but make sure washcloth is not too hot).

Juice Mask for Oily Skin

Strawberry and lemon juice contain natural astringents. Note: Recipe works for two people, so invite a friend, or cut recipe in half for just you.

Mash or blend the above ingredients. Smooth over face. Let it stay for 10 minutes. Rinse.

Combination Skin

Rose Face Mask for Combination Skin

This mask, based on roses, is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.

Soak rose petals, then crush them in a bowl. Add the rosewater, yogurt and honey. Mix well and apply to the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse.

Dry, Chapped Skin

Avocado Face Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados and honey are particularly moisturizing. This mask is particularly great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. It's best to use a ripe, fresh, organic avocado. Make sure to mash it up into a creamy pulp.

A classic recipe for dry skin. Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey. Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse face with a cool washcloth.

Milk Mask for Dry Skin

This recipe makes a mask for two.

This is a classic milk mask for the face. Mix ingredients well, apply to face, let sit for 15 minutes, wash off with warm water. This recipe is enough for two. (Note: The original recipe called for 1 tbsp pulverized almonds, but I have removed it from the ingredients list because almonds, no matter how pulverized, can tear at skin).

How to Make a Chocolate Face Mask

Who says chocolate is bad for your skin? The cocoa solids in chocolate are excellent for moisturizing, so this mask is the perfect remedy for dry skin. Find out how to make a dark chocolate face mask at home.

Mix the Milk and Salt: Into a small bowl, pour in your cup of milk. Add in three tablespoons of salt and mix everything together so the salt dissolves.

Melt the Chocolate: Set up double boiler. Fill the saucepan quarter full and place a small bowl on top so it doesn't touch the water. Set the heat to medium. Break chocolate into pieces so the chocolate melts faster and place it into the bowl. Stir it with a whisk so it melts more evenly. When it is completely melted, take it off the heat

Mix the Face Mask Ingredients: Add milk-salt mixture to the melted chocolate and stir it together so everything combines. Cool the mixture until the room temperature.

Apply to the Chocolate Face Mask: Cover yourself with a towel so the melted chocolate doesn't ruin your clothes. Apply to your face with a wooden stick or your hand. Make sure that the mask is not hot so it doesn't burn your face. Let it stay for about 15-20 minutes while you read, lay down, or relax. Then wash it off with a mild cleanser and water. Be thorough so you don't end up smelling like dessert for the rest of the day.

Aging Skin

Homemade Face Mask for Ashy Skin

Sugar is a preferred exfoliant to salt because it tends not to tear at the skin. When dead skin collects on the surface of skin, it's important to slough it away. This helps clear up clogged pores. When skin isn't exfoliated, it can appear ashy.

Stir sugar into warm water so that it melts. Make sure granules are dissolved, otherwise they could tear your skin.

Apply to the face. Gently massage around the skin. Rinse with warm water OR use a warm washcloth that's steamed in the microwave. Make sure the washcloth is not too hot.

Avocado Face Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados and honey are particularly moisturizing. This mask is particularly great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. It's best to use a ripe, fresh, organic avocado. Make sure to mash it up into a creamy pulp.

A classic recipe for dry skin. Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey. Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse face with a cool washcloth.

Sensitive Skin

Yogurt Face Mask for Sensitive or Sunburnt Skin

This mask is great for soothing chapped, sunburned or otherwise irritated skin.

Extra tip: This mask works well for other skin types as well. For oily skin, add a couple drops of lemon or lime juice. For dry skin, mix in a couple tablespoons of honey.

Mix the ingredients together. Apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes. Wash off mask with a washcloth steamed in the microwave (careful that it's not too hot).

Another option for an oatmeal face mask:
Egg whites. Mix the oatmeal and an egg white. Let the mixture dry on face, then gently wash off with a few splashes of warm water. Follow with a steaming washcloth to the face.

Papaya Oatmeal Mask

This recipe for a homemade facial mask is meant for sensitive skin. It is geared toward giving you softer skin as well as renew surface cells. It also helps with skin that is blotchy. Chop and process or blend:

Pat mixture on face carefully.Wait 10 minutes. Spoon off. Wash with warm washcloth. Use this mask twice a month to rejuvenate skin cells.