To pamper your face, nothing is better than a homemade mask prepared with natural and easy-to-find food items. Explore the basics, active ingredients, and their benefits, then get inspired by recipes that will gently hydrate, nourish and soothe your skin.
The Most Common Basic Ingredients
When preparing a homemade face mask, it is essential that it stays in place during the application time. The mixture should not be too liquid, but should form a homogeneous paste.
Some powders and purées of neutral ingredients are particularly suitable for use as a base. They give a pleasant texture to apply while diluting the active ingredients, so that they are not in direct contact with the skin. Among the most used are:
- Colloidal Oatmeal Powder
- Clay (green, white or pink)
- Marshmallow powder
- Rice powder
- Fenugreek powder
- Plain yogurt
- Avocado or mashed banana
Beneficial Active Ingredients
Once the base of the mask is formed, add ingredients with specific benefits. These actives complete the base, turning a simple blend into a complete skin care ritual. Vegetable oils— ideal for dry skin—nourish and protect the skin. Honey, on the other hand, moisturizes and softens, leaving a soft and comfortable finish. These ingredients are part of a long list that also includes:
- Lemon juice (brightens the complexion – watch out for sensitive skin and the sun)
- Aloe vera (soothes, moisturizes and calms irritation)
- Coconut oil (nourishes, protects and softens the skin)
- Royal jelly (regenerating, revitalizing, stimulates skin repair)
- Green tea extract (antioxidant and soothing)
- Vitamin E (protects against skin aging)
- Lavender or chamomile essential oil (calming – to be used diluted)
- Cucumber juice or purée (refreshing and moisturizing)
- Rose or floral water extract (tones and softens the skin)
- Calendula extract (soothing and healing)
Easy to Make Homemade Mask Recipes
1. Healthy Glow Mask with Egg White
The white of the egg, which coagulates as it dries, can be used as a base. It also acts as an active ingredient. It helps smooth the skin and tighten pores, and also has purifying properties.
Ingredients
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) yogurt
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice
Mix the ingredients into a homogeneous paste and apply to the skin of the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
2. Nourishing Egg Yolk Mask
Rich in lipids and nutrients, egg yolk acts mainly as an active ingredient, nourishing and moisturizing the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- 5 ml (1 tsp) sweet almond or avocado vegetable oil
- 5 ml (1 tsp) colloidal oat powder (optional)
Mix the ingredients and apply the mask in a thin layer to the skin of the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
3. Refreshing Cucumber Mask
This vegetable with high water content moisturizes and soothes the skin. It helps reduce redness and brings a feeling of lightness and freshness.
Ingredients
- 1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and puréed
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) yogurt
Mix and apply the paste to the face. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
4. Avocado Hydrating Mask
Avocado, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, nourishes the skin and restores its suppleness and radiance.
Ingredients
- 1/2 avocado* (preferably organic), mashed
- 5 ml (1 tsp) honey
*You can replace half an avocado with half a banana, also preferably organic, and add yogurt (1 tsp) to the mixture.
Mix the ingredients and apply to the skin of the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing.
5. Lemon “Radiance Boost” Mask
Thanks to its astringent and exfoliating action, lemon helps tighten pores and eliminate dead skin. It’s perfect for brightening the complexion and leaving the skin clear.
Ingredients
- The juice of a lemon
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) sweet almond oil
Mix and apply to the face. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing well.
6. Antioxidant Green Tea Mask
Green tea is known for its antioxidant effect. It helps to protect the skin from external aggressions and slow down the signs of fatigue and aging.
Ingredients
- 1 green tea bag
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
Open the bag and mix the green tea and honey. Apply to the face by massaging lightly and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
For more ideas, try this recipe with white clay and lavender: Homemade lavender mask – Rachelle Béry