How to Make a Cucumber Facial Mask

Cucumber can reduce puffiness under the eyes, as well as help diminish dark circles. All over the face, cucumber has a naturally astringent affect, which reduces oiliness, tightens pores and makes foundation glide on. It's also great for summer, when going make-up free means skin needs to be at its best.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cucumber
• Witch hazel
• Lemon juice
• Egg white
• Mint
• Honey
• Rosewater
• Apple

1. Put a sliced cucumber into a food processor and blend until it becomes pulpy. Pour this into a strainer and collect the liquid in a bowl. Add 1 tsp. each of lemon juice and witch hazel, which also have gently astringent and purifying effects on the skin. Add 1 gently beaten egg white and stir to combine ingredients. Apply the mixture to the face and neck, avoiding the eyes. Leave on for 15 to 25 minutes and rinse with warm water.

2. Mix 1/2 cucumber, sliced or cut in chunks with 1 tsp. of mint, 1 tbsp. of lemon juice and the white of 1 egg. Put all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes before applying to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water.

3. Grate 1/2 cucumber into a bowl, making sure the pieces are small enough to be applied to the face as a mask. Add 1 tsp. of rose water. Apply to the forehead, nose and chin, where skin is naturally more oily. The mixture can be used all over the face, including under the eyes and on the eyelids, for pore-reducing and skin-tightening affect. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse skin with warm water.

4. Combine cucumber with avocado for a skin tightening and nourishing facial mask. Chop 1/2 cucumber and 1/2 avocado and mix in a blender or food processor. Add the white of 1 egg and 2 tsp. of powdered milk.
   Refrigerate for a half hour before applying the mixture to the face and neck. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water.

5. Add apple to a cucumber mask for gentle fruit-acid exfoliation. Chop 1/2 cucumber and 1/2 apple and mix in a food processor until all the large pieces are incorporated. Add 1 tsp. of honey and apply to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with warm, then cool water.

Tips & Warnings

• It's usually best to peel a cucumber before using it in facial mask recipes. The seeds may be used or removed, depending on personal taste.

• Discard the remainders of fruit and vegetable facials. Do not keep them for a second use, since they deteriorate rapidly and lose effectiveness.

Resources

• Your Skin 101
• Cool Nurse
• Health Recipes