Our skin is our largest organ. It’s therefore essential that we feed it with non-toxic ingredients that nourish and replenish. Natural face masks are an excellent alternative to store-bought face masks. They are non-toxic, affordable, easy to make and more importantly, excellent for your skin.

Natural, homemade face masks are also much more environmentally friendly. The plastic packaging, which the majority of store-bought beauty products come in, end up in landfill or the ocean, not to mention the toxic chemicals which end up down our drains and cause serious damage to the ecosystem as well as aquatic life. Making your own products is environmentally friendly as you reuse the packaging (which is usually glass) and you won’t be adding toxic chemicals to your homemade products so won’t need to worry about the ingredients filtering through your drain.

Prior to applying any of the face masks, ensure your makeup is fully removed and your skin is cleansed thoroughly. Before you begin applying a face mask, take a warm damp cloth and pat all over your face to soften the skin and to enable the face mask ingredients to soak through.  

Here are six natural face masks for you to make and at home. You may find that you have most of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard already.

1. REPLENISHING SKIN MASK

Cacao powder is full of antioxidants, a number of minerals including magnesium, selenium, zinc and folate which work together to repair damaged skin and prevent skin damage. Banana and cacao work really well together in this mask as bananas are also high in vitamins and minerals and antioxidants which help protect the skin. Natural yoghurt is rich in probiotics, calcium and vitamins A, D, B12 and can help with reducing inflammation in the skin. Raw honey has brilliant healing properties for your skin as it helps with balancing pH levels and cleanses pores. These ingredients work well together to form the perfect texture for this mask as well as the magic combination of properties within all these ingredients. 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Organic Natural Yoghurt

1 Tsp Raw Honey

2 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder

¼ Ripe Banana

Method:

Mash the banana with a fork in a small bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix all the ingredients together to form a sticky paste. Apply generously to your face and neck, avoiding the mouth, eye and nostril areas. Leave the mask on for 10-20 minutes and then rinse the off with warm water. Save and store any remaining mixture in the fridge for the following day.

2. FRESH SKIN MASK

Matcha green tea is full of antioxidants which assist with an increase in skin elasticity. It also contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which helps with reducing inflammation and evening out skin tone. Adding honey to this mask gives it an extra boost of nourishment for your skin and both these ingredients work together wonderfully to leave your skin looking fresh and even. 

Ingredients:

1 Tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder

1 Tsp Raw Honey

Method:

Mix the matcha and honey together in a small bowl to form a paste, then spread over your face, avoiding your mouth, eyes and nostrils. Leave the mask on for around 15-20 minutes and then remove with warm water and a face cloth. 

3. DETOX MASK

The combination of these three powders is incredibly powerful at detoxing the skin. Earth powders have strong healing properties and will leave your skin feeling soft and healthy. They have the ability to draw out toxins from your skin while replenishing at the same time so your skin isn’t left dry and flaky. 

Ingredients:

¼ Cup Bentonite Clay Powder

¼ Cup Activated Charcoal Powder

¼ Cup Diatomaceous Earth Powder

Method:

These ingredients will make a dry batch for you to store and use again and again. Mix all the powders together and store in an airtight jar for freshness. For use, use one 1 tsp in a small bowl and add a tiny amount of water. Mix with a small foundation brush until a paste is formed and then paint all over your face but avoid the eye, nostril and mouth areas. Leave on your skin for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off using a dark cloth and warm water.

4. HYDRATION MASK

This combination is incredibly hydrating for the skin and will leave it feeling soft and youthful. Honey is excellent at enabling the skin to retain moisture so adding it as a base to a face mask is a great idea. Avocado is highly anti-inflammatory and contains a number of healthy fats which nourish the skin and oats are very moisturising and feed your skin. 

Ingredients:

½ Ripe Avocado

1 Tbsp Raw Honey

A Handful of Oats

Method:

For use, simply mash the avocado until it’s a smooth consistency and then add the honey and oats and mix until the mixture becomes a thick consistency and the ingredients are mixed through. Using your hands or a clean brush, apply the mixture to clean skinn, avoiding your eye, eyebrow, mouth and nostril areas and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and a face cloth and notice how hydrated and plump your skin looks and feels.

5. BRIGHTENING MASK

This combination will leave your skin looking bright and glowy. Turmeric is very anti-inflammatory and is excellent at reducing redness so adding it to your face mask will reduce down any skin redness whilst brightening your overall complexion.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Raw Honey

1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder

½ Teaspoon Sea Salt

Method: 

Mix all the ingredients together and using a clean brush or your fingers, apply to your whole face avoiding the eye, eyebrow, nostril and mouth areas and let the mask sit for 15 minutes. Then, using a face cloth and warm water, gently rinse the mask off to reveal your bright, youthful glow.

6. REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF PORES

Egg white and lemon work extremely well together to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. By adding the honey into this mask, you will remove the tight feeling which comes from the use of the egg white and the honey will also provide additional moisture to the skin.

Ingredients:

1 Egg White

1 Tablespoon of Honey

The Juice of 1 Lemon

Method: 

Mix all three ingredients together and apply to your face evenly, avoiding the eye, eyebrow, nostril and mouth areas and let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water and after a few uses of this mask you should notice how fresh your skin looks and how your pores appear smaller and more refined.

For more skincare tips from BALANCE, click here