How to Create a Homemade Moisturizing Facial Mask

Bananas and avocados make a great base for a moisturizing mask.

Your skin's water content plus a protective layer of oil keeps it supple and firm. If the oil is stripped away by soaps or astringents, the skin can dry out. Cold weather, sun, wind and dry air are also responsible for drying skin, as is hot, chlorinated or salty water. Rather than spending a small fortune at a salon for a moisturizing facial, make your own mask at home with items from around the kitchen and the health food store. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• 1 medium-sized ripe banana
• 1 ripe avocado
• Bowl
• Fork or potato masher
• Borage oil, capsule or liquid

Instructions

1. Mash one medium-sized ripe banana and 1/2 ripe avocado together in a clean bowl. Continue to mash the fruits with a fork until the mixture is uniform and smooth. Scoop the mixture into a blender.

2. Add two capsules of borage oil or about 1 tsp. liquid form.

3. Mix the banana, avocado and oil in a blender until it's well combined.

4. Apply the paste to your face and neck with a brush or use your clean hand. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Pat your face dry with a clean cloth and moisturize as you normally would.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find borage oil in liquid or capsule form at your local drug or health food store.

References

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison; University Health Services; Dry Skin
• Martha Stewart; Nourishing Skin and Hair; Eva Scrivo
• James Madison University; Kiss Dry Skin Goodbye!; Katie Crandell; January 2010