How to Make Your own Facial Mask

With a little research and creativity, you can make your own facial mask using simple ingredients from your kitchen pantry, refrigerator and fruit basket.Making your own facial treatments is a healthy alternative to store-bought facial masks that often contain chemicals and preservatives. Become a beauty expert and keep your skin healthy by following these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access or book on homemade beauty recipes
• mixing bowls
• mixing utensils
• various ingredients, depending on recipe
• essential oils, if desired

Make a homemade facial mask

1. Normal, oily, dry, combination or sensitive are five basic skin types. Identify your skin type and any other issues that you have, such as large pores.

2. Research. Surf the Web for homemade facial mask recipes, or check out books on homemade beauty recipes from your local library. This will help identify what ingredients are commonly used for different skin types.For instance, green clay is often used for oily skin and to tighten large pores, while papaya, a fantastic skin food, is great for all skin types. Honey and jojoba oil are two options for moisturizing dry skin.

3. Gather ingredients. Many ingredients can be found in the kitchen or around the house. If not, your local health food store should stock what's needed. When possible, use fresh, natural and organic ingredients. Skin will absorb anything you put on it, so beware of additives and chemicals.

4. Experiment! For instance, use a recipe you like and add different essential oils to it, depending on what effect you desire. For instance, lavender is soothing, lemon is invigorating, etc. Try mixing green clay with jojoba oil for a pore-tightening, skin moisturizing mask.Many recipes are simple, too. Mashing up a papaya and applying it to your face for 15 to 20 minutes is a nurturing and effective facial that dissolves dead skin cells and softens skin.

5. Apply your mask, relax and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure leftovers are stored in tightly sealed containers and used as soon as possible. Many of the ingredients are fresh, and therefore perishable.
• It's always a good idea to test for allergies on a small patch of skin on your arm, before applying the mask. If itching occurs, do not use the mask.

Resources

• Identify your Skin Type: Five Basic Skin Types