Homemade face mask one must try

Skincare is an absolutely essential step to make you appear younger and healthy. However, we constantly expose ourselves to pollution, UV rays and harsh chemicals which make our skin dull and lifeless. To bring back the glow, we may resort to many chemical-based face masks. But it is possible to achieve the same flawless results with the help of homemade face masks. This article brings to you several face masks which you can prepare at home. Specific face masks are mentioned for each skin type to target specific skin issues.

Benefits of using homemade face masks

Home-made face masks make use of natural ingredients which are mild on the skin. You may have noticed that store-bought face masks work too effectively on the first application. This is because they contain many harsh substances to strip your skin of natural moisture. This in turn triggers the skin cells to produce more oils and become dependent on the face pack. Many face packs which claim to brighten the skin contain bleaching chemicals that damage the skin cells and only provide temporary results. Commercial face packs can be expensive. Homemade ones on the other hand are much milder on the skin and will give you longer-lasting results without any side effects.

FACE PACKS FOR OILY SKIN

Home-made face packs for oily skin aim to use natural ingredients to absorb excess sebum and oil from the epidermal skin. These face packs will also help to reduce pore size in order to control oil production. 

Lemon and tomato face pack

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice 
• 2 tablespoons of potato juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey

How to: 

1. Combine all the ingredients together to obtain a runny mixture. This face pack will not be thick because it only has natural juices. 
2. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture to your face. 
3. Leave it on for 1 hour. Wash with the help of cold water.
4. The face pack does not have any oils in it and hence will be very easy to remove. Do not apply a moisturiser immediately. 

How this works: lemon and tomato have a mild drying effect on the skin. Lemon juice helps to absorb excess sebum while tomato juice helps to tighten the pores. Honey is also an effective ingredient for oily skin as it helps to add the right amount of moisture so that the skin does not become too dry.

Fuller’s earth face pack

You will need:

• 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth or multani mitti
• 5 tablespoons of rose water 
• A pinch of turmeric.

How to: 

1. Mix the Multani mitti with rose water.
2. Add a pinch of turmeric and mix until a paste is formed. The consistency of the face pack should be thick and not runny. 
3. Apply this on your face and leave it on until it dries up completely. 
4. Wash away with the help of cold water.

How this works: this a mud face pack. Fuller’s earth, also known as Multani mitti is very absorbing in nature. It pulls out all the dirt and toxins from the pores and helps to deep clean the skin. This face pack will work especially well for people who use makeup. Most of the times, we do not remove the makeup properly and the residue can clog the pores leading to blackheads and pimples. Rosewater is very soothing on the skin. Turmeric helps to fight acne and reduce inflammation on the skin.

Oats and honey face pack.

You will need: 

• 10 tablespoons of oats
• 1 cup tablespoons of rose water
• 5 tablespoon of honey

How to: 

1. Add the rose water to the oats. You may find that the oats absorb the rose water very quickly. Mix the two ingredients nicely.  
2. Now add this mixture to a blender.
3. Add 5 tablespoons of honey. Now blend on high speed for 5-6 seconds. Do not blend for a very long time. You should end up with a paste.
4. Scoop it out and apply it on your face as well as the neck area. 
5. Wait for it to dry up completely. 
6. Wash with the help of lukewarm water.

How this helps: oats helps to absorb oil from the skin without causing too much dryness. The combination of honey and oats will help to make your skin more firm and soft while reducing the oil production over regular uses.

Fuller’s earth and sandalwood face pack

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon of fuller’s earth 
• 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder
• 3 tablespoons of rose water.

How to:

1. Mix all the ingredients together until a smooth paste is formed. 
2. Apply it on your face after cleaning it.
3. Allow it to dry completely. 
4. Wash away with cool water. 

How this works: oily skin can appear dull over time due to the accumulation of oils and dirt. Sandalwood powder helps to restore the moisture back along with a youthful glow.

Gram flour and Neem powder face pack

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of gram flour
• 1 tablespoon of neem powder
• A pinch of turmeric 
• 5 tablespoons of lemon juice.

How to:

1. Mix the gram flour along with the neem powder.
2. Add a pinch of turmeric and then add the lemon juice.
3. After you have obtained a paste, apply it all over the face as well as any other areas where you are experiencing breakouts.
4. Allow it to dry completely. 
5. Wash with the help of cold water.

How this works: this face pack is extremely beneficial for people with acne prone skin. Neem powder works very well against any pimples and other skin issues. Gram flour removes excess oil from the pores while lemon juice helps to brighten the skin effectively. This remedy can be used for spot treatment and selectively over the nose and forehead area, where there is most of the oil production.

Myths and facts about oily skin

MYTHS	FACTS
You can skip sunscreen	One must not forget to use sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. The oils present on the skin are not an effective barrier against UV rays and hence using sunscreen is important for all skin types.
You need not moisturise your skin because it already has plenty of oils.	Oily/combination skin needs moisture too. The correct method is to use a moisturiser made for oily skin type. If you do not apply moisturiser to oily skin then it might produce more oils in order to compensate.
Oily skin is more prone to breakouts and pimples.	Pimples and breakouts on the face could occur due to hormonal issues or diet issues. These factors are internal. However, the hygiene factor is important. No matter what skin type, if you are not cleansing it properly then you can have breakouts.

Precautions: 

• Lemon can cause mild itching on the skin. This is due to its natural bleaching properties. While it won’t cause any burns or marks, it may be slightly uncomfortable for the first few minutes of application.
• Use turmeric in moderation since it has a strong yellow colour. 
• Do not use lemon juice on acne or any cuts. It will cause an intense burning sensation.
• Lemon and tomato can brighten the skin but bleach the facial hair as well. Although this won’t be so drastic, if you don’t desire this effect, then dilute the juices with rose water or use in combination of fuller’s earth.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of moisturiser should be used after using these face packs?

Since oily skin can replenish itself in some time, you need to use a gel-based/water-based moisturiser. These moisturizers do not contain any oils and do not add to the sebum your pores are already producing. 

How can we make makeup last on oily skin?

Use any of the above-mentioned face masks before applying makeup. After washing it away, use a moisturiser (water-based) and then follow up with a pore filling primer. This will make your makeup last longer.

Can lemon be used every day on the face?

It is not advised to use lemon juice on the skin every day. This is because it makes the skin photosensitive by removing the pigment from it. Hence it must not be applied right before going out in the sun.

Is it necessary to moisturise the skin after the application of these face masks?

Do not use a moisturiser immediately. You may apply a little moisturiser after 30 minutes. It is a must especially after using the fuller’s earth mask.

Is it possible to close the enlarged pores?

No, pores cannot be closed completely. However, the regular use of these face masks can reduce their appearance.

How often can these face packs be used?

Other than the lemon juice, all the other face packs can be used every day.

FACE PACKS FOR DRY SKIN

When using face packs on dry skin, the important thing is to include ingredients which are naturally hydrating in nature. Dry skin flakes easily and tends to itch due to dryness. The skin may get particularly dry in areas like around the mouth and forehead. It aggravates further in cold season or on exposure to intense heat. These face packs make use of the best naturally moisturising ingredients.  

Curd and honey face mask

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of curd
• 1 tablespoon of honey.

How to: 

1. Simply mix the two ingredients together and apply on a clean face.
2. Let the curd dry. This should take about 20 minutes. 
3. Wash with the help of lukewarm water.

How this works: curd and honey help to nourish skin and add moisture to dry skin. Curd also helps in brightening the face.

Red lentil and curd face mask

You will need: 

• ½ cup of red lentils,
• ½ cup of milk, 
• 5 tablespoons of curd,
• A pinch of turmeric.

How to: 

1. To prepare this face mask, you have to soak the red lentils beforehand. 
2. Mix the red lentils with warm milk and keep aside in the refrigerator overnight or for about 8 hours. You will find that the red lentils have soaked up all the milk and have split. This indicates that the lentils are soft enough to be blended. 
3. Add the lentils along with the leftover milk into a blender. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds to obtain a smooth paste. 
4. Now add curd to the mixture along with the turmeric. Blend for a few seconds. 
5. Remove the paste from the blender and allow this paste to cool completely in the refrigerator. 
6. After you have cleansed your face, apply this face mask with the help of your fingers or a brush. A cotton ball will not be ideal for its application as this face pack will be quite thick. 
7. Allow it to dry completely. 
8. Rinse away with the help of cold water and pat dry your face. 

How this works: red lentils contain skin brightening compounds. When soaked in hydrating ingredients like milk, it will help to soothe dry skin. 

Avocado face mask

You will need: 

• The pulp of one avocado, 
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey.

How to: 

1. Add the avocado pulp, olive oil and honey to a blender and blend for a few seconds. 
2. When you obtain a creamy paste that does not have any lumps, apply this on your face and leave it on for 30 minutes.
3. To remove the face mask, take a wet towel and wipe away the excess face pack. 
4. To get rid of the residue, wash your face with cold water. 

How this works: avocado contains fatty acids and oily compounds which will help to moisturise dry skin. Its creamy texture makes the skin supple while olive oil helps to add the shine back since dry skin is unable to produce oils itself. 

Cocoa and coconut face mask

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil,
• 2 tablespoon of coconut milk.

How to: 

1. Mix the cocoa powder with coconut milk. Once you obtain a thin paste, add the coconut oil and mix well. 
2. Apply this paste onto clean skin and let it rest on your face for 30 minutes. 
3. Wash with the help of lukewarm water. 
4. Then follow up with a face wash. Use a mild face wash so that it does not strip the skin of all the moisture. 

How this works: cocoa powder has anti-oxidants and coconut oil is extremely good for soothing dry skin and adding a surge of moisture back into it. Coconut milk helps to treat flaking skin and makes the skin look plump. 

Banana and honey face mask

You will need:

• ½ ripe banana, 
• 2 tablespoons of honey,
• 1 tablespoon of milk.

How to: 

1. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl. Make sure that you achieve a pulp-like consistency. 
2. Now add the honey and milk to it and mash until combined. 
3. Apply this face mask immediately onto the skin and wait for it to dry. 
4. Wash with the help of lukewarm water.

How this works: banana is naturally hydrating and contains essential minerals which heal dry skin. Honey and milk help to brighten the complexion and make the skin appear more dewy and healthy as opposed to dry and lifeless.

Coffee and honey face mask

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds,
• 2 tablespoons of honey, 
• 1 small cup of water.

How to:

1. To prepare your coffee essence, add the coffee grounds to 1 cup of cold water. 
2. Mix lightly and allow the water to rest for about 5 hours. 
3. Now strain the liquid. You will obtain a black coloured coffee essence.
4. Make sure you do not use instant coffee for this face mask. Now take two tablespoons of coffee essence and add honey to it. Mix nicely. 
5. Now apply this mixture to your face using a cotton ball. 
6. Rinse with cold water after 20 minutes of application.

How this works: coffee has plenty of anti-oxidants. It helps to nourish the skin and make it appear brighter instantly. Coffee essence also helps with fine lines and dark circles. It helps to lift sagging skin. Honey is very moisturising for the skin. This face mask also helps to remove impurities from the skin but unlike the harsh face washes, it won’t dry out your skin.

Wheat flour and milk face pack

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of wheat flour, 
• 3 tablespoons of cold milk,
• 1 egg white

How to: 

1. To the wheat flour, add the cold milk and form a paste. 
2. Add the egg white as well and mix it evenly. If you find that the face mask has turned too runny or loose, then add more flour. 
3. Apply this mixture on your face and allow it to dry.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water and then clean your face with a mild face wash.

How this works: the thick and granular nature of wheat flour mixed with milk helps to add moisture to the skin and help it produce more natural oils. Egg white contains proteins and nutrients which heal dry skin.

Almond oil and gram flour mask

You will need:

• 2 tablespoons of gram flour, 
• 2 tablespoons of almond oil, 
• Rosewater as needed.

How to: 

1. Mix the gram flour with rose water and make sure it is well mixed. 
2. Add the almond oil with the paste.
3. Apply the mask on your face and let it rest for 30 minutes. 
4. Wash using lukewarm water.

How this works: almond oil is very hydrating. Gram flour acts as a good base for the face mask and helps to lightly exfoliate dry skin. It removes the dead skin cells without being harsh on the face.

Myths and facts 

MYTHS	FACTS
Dry skin only happens during winters.	The dryness could be caused due to the season but the skin could stay dry even during summers. This only gets aggravated during the dry and cold season.
It is not necessary to exfoliate dry skin.	Dry skin flakes more and therefore the dead skin cells may just stay in the pores and cause acne. Hence it is necessary to exfoliate once a week. There is no need to use a harsh exfoliator.
People with dry skin also tend to have more dandruff.	Dandruff can occur even if you have an oily scalp. It is not restricted to dry skin. People with dry skin may or may not have a dry scalp and accordingly, the flakes could be the result of dead skin cell accumulation.

Precautions

• Do not exfoliate more than twice a week.
• While using face packs, take note of any ingredient which may cause itching or rashes.
• Avoid using any cosmetics containing bleach as that could damage dry skin.
• While oil based face packs work very well for dry skin, the oils should not be left on the skin for too long. They may clog pores and result in acne.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of facial creams should be used for dry skin?

Oil-based facial creams work well on dry skin. During winters, cold creams can help to hydrate the skin from within.

How often must the face packs be used by dry skin people?

Face packs can be used every day. 

Why has milk been used in the face packs so often?

Milk is immensely hydrating and soft on the skin. Dry skin often appears flat and scaly. Milk helps to make it look bouncy and plump. 

FACE PACKS FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Neem powder face pack

You will need: 

• 1 tablespoon of neem powder, 
• 1 pinch of turmeric, 
• 2 tablespoon of gram flour, 
• 5 tablespoons of rose water.

How to:

1. Mix all the ingredients together to obtain a paste. 
2. Now apply this onto clean skin with the help of a brush. Avoid using your fingers as this could transfer germs and aggravate the acne further. 
3. You may also use this face mask as a spot treatment. 
4. Now wait for it to dry completely and then rinse with cold water. 
5. Rub ice all over the washed area to reduce inflammation.

How this works: Neem powder has very powerful anti-microbial properties which help to treat acne. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce redness and itching near the affected area.

Fuller’s earth and salicylic acid face mask

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth, 
• 1 tablet of aspirin containing salicylic acid,
• Water as needed.

How to: 

1. Crush the aspirin into a fine powder and mix with the fuller’s earth. 
2. Now add water until you obtain a thick paste. The tablet powder must be well converted into the paste.
3. Now apply this mask onto the face and allow it to dry.
4. Rinse off with the help of cold water.

How this works: Fuller’s earth helps to pull out all the toxins from the pores and detoxifies the skin. With all the dirt and grime gone, salicylic acid helps to dry out the pimples and reduce their appearance.

Fuller’s earth and tea tree oil mask

You will need:

• 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth,
• 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil.
• 2 tablespoons of rose water.

How to: 

1. Mix the tea tree oil with the fuller’s earth and rose water to obtain a paste. 
2. You can also use tea tree essential oil. If using the essential oil then add only 2 drops to the face mask and increase the amount of rose water. 
3. Apply this paste onto your face and let it dry completely. 
4. Wash away completely using cold water.

How this works: tea tree oil is a powerful anti-bacterial oil which helps to get rid of acne faster and also prevents it from coming back. This face mask must be used twice a week for best results.

Green tea and ginger face mask

You will need: 

• 1 tablespoon of green tea powder,
• 5 tablespoons of ginger water.

How to: 

1. To prepare the ginger water, add 5-6 slices of fresh ginger to some water and let it boil for 5 minutes. 
2. Now wait for the water to cool down.
3. Add this ginger water to the green tea powder. You can even add a pinch of turmeric to enhance the healing properties of this face mask. 
4. Once you have obtained the paste, apply it on your face and let it dry. 
5. Wash using cold water.
6. Since this face mask is not drying at all, you can use this every day to get rid of acne completely.

How this works: green tea and ginger water have excellent anti-microbial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. This is the most effective face mask for those with severe acne and you will notice results from the first application itself. The mask not only helps to reduce the size of the pimples but also helps to prevent scarring and pigmentation.

Aloe Vera and baking soda mask

You will need: 

• 2 tablespoons of pure aloe Vera gel, 
• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil, 
• One capsule of charcoal powder, 
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda.

How to:

1. Add the peppermint essential oil to the aloe Vera gel and mix nicely.
2. Keep the gel in the refrigerator until it becomes cold. However, make sure it doesn’t get hardened.
3. Once the gel has cooled, add the charcoal powder and baking soda to the gel and mix thoroughly. 
4. Apply this face mask immediately and let it dry. It may not dry out completely but as soon as you feel it stiffening, you can remove it by peeling it off first and then washing it with cold water.

How this works: while aloe Vera gel helps to soothe the pimples and inflammation, peppermint oil helps to fight the bacteria which cause pimples and boils. Baking soda helps to dry out the acne and exfoliate the skin while the charcoal powder helps to purify the skin. This face mask can be used once a week for significant results.

Myths and facts

MYTHS	FACTS
Acne only happens to oily skin.	Acne can occur on oily as well as dry skin. The ones with normal skin type may get acne too.
Acne always happens due to bacteria.	While you may get pimples due to pollution and allergies, the root cause may be something internal as well. Acne can also be hormonal.
Acne prone skin must always remain dry.	Keeping your skin dry can lead to inflammation. You must use only selective moisturisers if you are prone to acne. Use gel based and water based products. Aloe Vera gel works very well as a moisturiser for all skin types.

Precautions:

• Do not scratch you pimples or boils. This could lead to permanent scarring and cause pain as well.
• Keep your surroundings clean and do not touch your face very frequently. This could lead to transmission of bacteria and dirt.
• Lower your sugar intake. The germs causing acne tend to feed on sugar. Hence too many sweets or much of processed food can result in acne as well.
• Never use coconut oil on your skin. Although it has anti-bacterial properties, it is also highly comedogenic in nature and can clog pores resulting in skin congestion.

Frequently asked questions

Do overnight treatments work on acne?

They certainly can. However, natural remedies take slightly longer. If your acne is related to a certain medical condition then medicated lotions are best for your skin.

Can these face masks be left as overnight treatments?

Do not apply any kind of oil on your face and leave it overnight. Face masks may not allow your skin to breathe and could lead to other skin issues well. You can use aloe Vera gel on your skin and leave it overnight since it gets absorbed and will make your skin look fresh in the morning.

How can makeup be applied on acne-prone skin?

If you already have pimples and breakouts, then avoid using too many layers of makeup on your skin. Use a lighter foundation and do not use setting sprays or too many face powders as well. Use blotting sheets to absorb excess oil throughout the day. Remove makeup completely before going to bed. If you use brushes and sponges to apply makeup then clean them daily or at least once every 3 days to avoid bacteria build-up.