Facials Tips

Throughout the seasons, our skin can become dry and dehydrated, and our blood vessels become more visible. A thorough skin cleansing becomes a necessity, and there is nothing more effective than the application of a deep cleansing facial mask. Facial masks are a wonderful way to make your skin glow, even out its tone, and help it appear more youthful. And you can make healthy, all-natural facial masks right at home. Follow our simple Facial Mask Recipes to create this enriching experience for your skin in the comfort of your own home.

What is a Facial Mask?

A facial mask is a simple and effective dermo-cosmetic process which helps maintain youthful skin, while also preventing premature aging. Masks increase blood circulation, the dilation of the pores, and the removal of toxins, which the mask helps eliminate. In general, ingredients are more concentrated than those in lotions or cleansers, so they produce more noticeable benefits in a shorter amount of time.

Benefits of Using Facial Masks

Not only are facial masks wonderful for pampering body and soul, but also these cosmetic preparations applied to the face will tighten, clean and refresh the skin. They are much like "take-home spas," relieving stress, enhancing well-being, and allowing a little bit of pure indulgence in luxury while offering an enhanced sensory experience. The final result is a renewed, rested and youthful appearance.

Think of facial masks as the ultimate nutrient delivery system. Because a mask is much thicker than a moisturizer or topical treatment and because of its extended application time and the inner warmth generated, which opens the pores, passage of nutrients into the skin occurs far more quickly and efficiently. When necessary, masks can also remove excess oil and environmental debris and pollutants much more gently than astringents, toners or scrubs. Although, masks can also help replenish necessary skin oils, especially during the harsh winter months.

How Often Should I Use Facial Masks?

To avoid excessive drying out of the skin, facial masks shouldn't really be used more than once a week, which is the ideal. Think of masks like exercise - you won't get the benefits if you only use them every few months. If you can't manage a mask session that often, though, don't worry. The change of seasons at the end of summer (when skin is often thirsty after sun exposure) and at the end of winter (when skin is flat and dingy) are the two prime times to make an effort. Finish off by using a warm, wet flannel cloth to remove the mask and it will act as a gentle exfoliant, leaving skin instantly brighter and clearer-looking.

What Type Of Mask Should I Use For My Skin Type?

As far as what type of mask to use, if you have oily skin, go for a clay or mud mask to absorb excess oil buildup. If you have dry skin, try a creamy, hydrating mask. If you have sensitive skin, use a light, gel mask. And if you have combination skin, you may need more than one mask to spot-treat different problems, says David Bank, M.D., a dermatologist in New York and author of Beautiful Skin: Every Woman's Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age. For example, zap zits along your t-zone with a deep-cleansing mask and keep your cheeks soft with a more moisturizing formula. You'll get the best results if you choose a mask that targets your specific skin type and addresses any problems you have.

How to use facial masks:

1. Wash your face and neck
2. Put some protective cream around your eyes and mouth
3. Put a mask on your face and neck and do not keep it on for longer than 20 minutes
4. Rinse it off with warm boiled water or mineral water
5. Apply a moisturizing cream. 

Facial Mask Recipes

As a general rule, cucumber and mint are natural refresheners; oats exfoliate; cream cleanses and softens; lemon juice tones and refreshes. Mix and match these ingredients, add a few other items from your pantry, and voila! You have a great mask that you can make in minutes. See our recipes below for facials that are sure to become staples in your weekly beauty regimen.

Refreshing Masks

Tomato Facial Mask

Terrific for normal skin. Cut a small sized raw tomato into two halves and gently rub both halves on your face in a circular motion. After the tomato face pack has dried, rinse your face completely, tone and moisturize.

Easy Egg White Mask

Improves skin tone. Massage egg white all over your face. After mask has completely dried, rinse your skin thoroughly, tone and moisturize. Leaves your pores feeling taut and refreshed!

Peachy Honey Mask

Works like magic and tastes great! Mash 1 large skinned peach (or nectarine) and 3 tsp. honey together, and add 2 tbsp. yogurt until you have a workable paste. Pat evenly over your face and neck and around your eyes. Lie back and relax for about 10 minutes. Rinse well with warm water, tone and moisturize.

Cool as a Cucumber Facial Mask

This mask is perfect for any skin type; for best results, apply weekly. Place 1 cup oats and 1 tbsp. wheat bran in a blender and grind to a fine powder. Add 2 tbsp. buttermilk, 2 tbsp. whipping cream, 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. plain yogurt, 1 tsp. fresh mint leaves, and 1/2 medium diced cucumber. Blend until consistency is smooth. Apply to freshly cleansed face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, tone and moisturize.

Exfoliating Masks

Exfoliating Oatmeal Mask
Wonderful for sloughing off dried skin! Mix 3/4 cup dry oatmeal with approximately 1/3 cup warm water into a paste and spread on face. Lie down and let it dry. Wash off with warm water, tone, and moisturize.

Nutty Avocado Honey Mask

First mash and mix 1 ripe avocado with 1/2 tsp. honey. Add 1 tsp. almonds to mixture and continue to mash until creamy. Apply mixture to a clean face and relax for 15-20 minutes. Massage gently to exfoliate before rinsing with warm water.

Cornmeal Concoction Face Wash

Mix 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 egg white, 1 tsp. honey, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, and 2 tbsp. milk. Gently massage on face, avoiding eye area, let dry and wash off with warm water.

Hydrating

Egg and Honey Hydrating Mask

This mask is wonderful for refining and smoothing scaly skin. Mix together 1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp. almond oil and 1 tbsp. yogurt. Massage into skin and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse well with cool water, tone, and moisturize.

Banana Facial Pack

Lovely and soothing mask-smells scrumpious! Combine 1 egg yolk, 2 tsp. almond oil, and 1 ripe banana in a bowl and mash into a paste with a fork. Apply to face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, pat dry, tone and moisturize.

Moisturizing Beer Mask

Don't take that last sip! In a blender, combine 1 tbsp. beer, 1 heaped tsp. plain yogurt, 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 egg white, 1 tsp. lemon extract, and 1 tsp. almond extract. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Wet face with warm water and apply mixture evenly. Let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water, then splash with cold water. Tone and moisturize.

Oily Skin

Avocado and Mud Mask

To give oily skin the slip, try this sebum-absorbing clay mask. Clay or Fuller's Earth mud is available in powder form at any health food store. Mix 1 tbsp. dry clay with 1 egg yolk, 1/4 of a mashed avocado and enough witch hazel to create a smooth mixture. Apply to face (avoid eye area) and let dry completely. Rinse well with warm water, pat dry, tone and moisturize.

Sebum-Reducing Soy Facial

Excellent for oily or spotty skin. Mix 2 tbsp. of strained soybean curd with 1/2 tsp. of lemon juice in a blender for 30 seconds. Massage paste into the skin and let dry completely. Rinse well with cool water, tone and moisturize.