How to Make an Exfoliating Facial Mask

Regular exfoliating treatments are essential to creating and maintaining soft skin with an even tone and texture. Spas and salons charge a fortune for exfoliating facial treatments, but this facial mask recipe will give you beautiful skin while saving you time and money. The natural ingredients will not irritate your skin like harsh commercial cleansers, so it’s safe to use as often as you'd like to get great looking skin.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. whole ground oats
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. aloe vera
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. fresh tomato, mashed into a liquid (optional)
• Food Processor
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Grind the oats in a food processor until they are a fine texture. Mix the oats, brown sugar, aloe vera and lemon juice in a small bowl, using a non-stick spoon. After the mixture has formed a paste, add the liquefied tomato for an added vitamin boost. Tomato is especially good for creating an even skin tone or for soothing dry or chapped skin. If your skin tends to be oily, you can leave out the tomatoes.

2. Spread the mixture onto your face and throat using small, gentle circular motions. The longer you scrub, the more you are exfoliating off dead skin and impurities, so take your time and scrub for up to five minutes. Avoid the delicate area around your eyes; this area will become inflamed if exposed to too much exfoliation. Leave the mixture on your skin for up to five minutes longer. This will allow the vitamins in the aloe and tomato to penetrate the upper surfaces of your skin, creating a glowing and healthy complexion. Remove the mixture by gently rubbing with a damp cloth and rinsing any excess with cool water. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.

3. You can use this exfoliating treatment as much as you'd like, but an average of three times a week is recommended for maximum results. Exfoliation has the potential to irritate the skin over time, so just pay attention to your face's reaction to the treatment and make adjustments to the frequency and the formula as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• For extra dry skin, try leaving the oats whole as opposed to grinding them in the foord processor. The larger the oats are, the more extreme the exfoliation will be.

Resources

• Great homemade facial mask recipes