How to Make All Natural Face Masks

Co-authored by Diana Yerkes and Janice Tieperman

Face masks are a great way to address a variety of skin issues, like acne and dryness.^{[1]
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Research source} Natural, homemade face masks take already beloved foods and instead use them for cosmetic benefits. While your mask might depend on what ingredients you have lying around your pantry and refrigerator, there’s no shortage of options. Figure out what your skin needs and create an all-natural mask to pamper those issues away!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hydrating and Exfoliating Masks

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Mix avocado and honey to help hydrate dry skin. Slice an avocado in half and remove the central pit. Scoop out one half of the avocado and place it in a small bowl, along with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey and a fistful of oats. Mash and stir the avocado with the other ingredients until they form a paste, which you can rub onto your face with your fingertips.^{[2]
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- Put the avocado mixture on the driest parts of your face first. Continue spreading the avocado paste around until your entire face is covered.
- You can substitute pumpkin for the avocado. Pumpkins are rich in vitamins A, C, and E and have natural exfoliating properties. Look for canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) at the grocery store and mix that with the other ingredients you're using to make the mask out of.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Professional
  Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}
- Keep the mask on for at least 10 minutes, then rinse it off with water.^{[4]
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2
Use lemon and olive oil to exfoliate and hydrate your skin in one go. Accomplish 2 things at once by mixing together one lemon’s worth of juice with 0.25 cups (59 mL) of olive oil in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients together until they’re thoroughly mixed before spreading the oil mixture onto your face. Use your fingertips to apply the mask in parts. Use short, circular motions as you rub the mask into your skin—this makes the exfoliating process more effective.^{[5]
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- Try almond oil if you’d prefer not to use olive.
- Let the oil mixture soak into your skin for around 10-20 minutes before washing it off with cool water.
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3
Scrub off dead skin with a mix of brown sugar and coconut oil. Combine 2 tbsp (25 g) of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coconut oil and mix them together thoroughly. Use the tips of your fingers to dip into the brown sugar mixture and apply it over your skin. Apply it in circular motions to exfoliate any dead skin cells from your face. For maximum effect, let the mask sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.^{[6]
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- This mask is especially good for people with dry skin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Masks for Smooth and Even Skin

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Add orange juice to a mashed banana for glowing skin. Peel a banana and slice it in half. Place one half of the banana into a small bowl and mash it with a fork before adding 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey and orange juice. Apply the mixture directly to your face with your fingers, covering all portions of your skin. Leave the mask on your face for around 15 minutes before washing it away with lukewarm tap water.^{[7]
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- Don’t worry if the mask seems lumpy, as that’s an inevitability of working with bananas.
- The best part of this mask is that it’s great for any type of skin.
2
Combine papaya and honey to even out your pigmentation. Balance out your skin by mixing 2 tablespoons (30 mL) and ½ cup (115 g) of mashed papaya together in a small bowl. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and can easily be applied to your face. Scoop some of the mask mixture onto your fingertips and rub it all over your face. After you’ve finished applying the mask, let it sit for 15-20 minutes before you rinse it off with cool water.^{[8]
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- Make sure you apply the mixture to dark spots on your face.
3
Combine yogurt and honey for an anti-inflammatory mask. Combine 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of plain, unflavored yogurt with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of honey. Mix these ingredients together thoroughly until they create a consistent mixture. Scoop some of the mask onto your fingertips and gently rub it over your skin so it covers all parts of your face. Leave the mask on for around 10-15 minutes before washing it off with cool water.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional
Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}
- This mask is great if you're dealing with redness or sunburn.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Masks for Softer Skin

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Achieve softer skin with a mask of strawberries and yogurt. Trim the stems off of 4-5 ripe strawberries and mash them up in a bowl. Mix 3 tbsp (21 g) of ground almond powder into the strawberries, along with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of plain yogurt. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together. Apply the mask all over your face with your fingertips, and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off.^{[10]
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- After making this face mask, be sure to apply it within a day, or else the ingredients might go bad. If you plan on applying this mask later in the day, be sure to refrigerate the mixture.
2
Stir orange juice and egg whites together to shrink your pores. Separate an egg white from the yolk and dump it into a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of orange juice along with ½ tsp (1 g) of turmeric powder. Beat the egg whites, juice, and powder together until they form a liquid mixture. Use the tips of your fingers to spread ample amounts of the mixture all over your face. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional
Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}
- Turmeric is useful because it helps to brighten portions of your skin that look uneven.
3
Blend cucumber and yogurt together to soothe your skin. Peel the cucumber and slice it into thin, circular pieces. Next, place these slices in a blender along with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of plain, unflavored yogurt. Purée the ingredients until they’re thoroughly mixed, then pour them into a smaller bowl for easier application. Use your fingertips to rub the mask mixture all over your face, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before washing it off with cold water.^{[12]
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- Refrigerate any of the leftover mask mixture in an airtight container. Enjoy using this mask for up to a week!
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Get rid of blemishes with a honey and chamomile mask. Use 2 bags to prepare a cup of chamomile tea. After the tea cools, pour at least 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of tea into a small bowl of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of raw honey and 1 tsp (6 grams) of (nutritional) yeast powder. Stir the ingredients to ensure that the mixture is thick enough to apply to your face. After rubbing it onto your face with the tips of your fingers, let it soak into your skin for about 20 minutes. When you’re ready to remove the mask, wash it off with cool water.^{[13]
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- If you’d prefer a spicier route, mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey with 1 tsp (2.64 g) of cinnamon instead.^{[14]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Can you use bad strawberries?

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Try to only use fresh strawberries when you’re making a face mask. If the strawberries are rotten, they may not be as naturally effective.
Question

Can I keep the mix refrigerated and reuse it?

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It depends on ingredients you’re using, but usually, yes! For example, a mask made of cucumber and plain yogurt can last up to a week in the refrigerator.
Question

How long can you keep the face mask mix?

Community Answer

It's best to throw it out after use. Since they are made with natural ingredients, bacteria can easily form and make it go bad quickly.