Style & Beauty

Homemade Beauty Masks

Turn back time with these DIY moisturizing and anti-aging facial masks

By Katrina Caruso

 

Making a face mask at home can be an easy way to treat yourself and your skin to some love and self-care. All of these masks can be made with ingredients that you most likely already have at home.

A few tips first:
– Always wash your face before applying a mask.
– Most masks can stay on for 15–20 minutes, or until they dry up.
– You can apply a face mask with a facial brush if you prefer.
– Rinse off the mask with warm water, and then tone your skin, followed by moisturizer.

Avocado Honey Mask
Ingredients
– ½ small, ripe avocado
– 1 tbsp. (15 mL) honey
Instructions
– Mash up the ingredients in a bowl, using a spoon or fork.
– Use immediately. Spread onto your face and neck.
– Rinse off after 15–20 minutes with warm water.
– Pat dry.
Tip
– You can warm up the honey before for a great feeling and better cleansing.
Why this works:
– Avocado is rich in good fats and very moisturizing.
– Honey is clarifying and will help with any impurities.
– The two combined allow for a super soft finish.

Flaxseed Mask
Ingredients
– ½ cup (125 mL) plain Greek yogourt
– 1 tbsp. (15 mL) honey
– 1 tbsp. (15 mL) ground flaxseed
Instructions
– Mix in a bowl, using a spoon.
– Apply mask to face.
– Massage the mask into your skin for 30–60 seconds.
– Rinse off after 2–3 minutes with warm water.
– Pat dry
Why this works:
– Flaxseeds are mildly exfoliating
– Yogourt is moisturizing and will give a brightness to skin.
– Honey is clarifying and will help with any impurities.

Coffee Mask
Ingredients
– 1 tbsp. (15 mL) ground coffee
– 1 tsp. (5 mL) cocoa powder
– 1 tsp. (5 mL) coconut oil or olive oil
– 1 tsp. (5 mL) Honey (optional)
Instructions
– In a bowl, mix the coffee and cocoa powder.
– Slowly add the oil (consistency will become paste-like) and then the honey.
– Apply to face and neck, massaging in small circles.
– Let dry for 15–30 minutes.
– Gently remove mask with warm water.
Pat dry.
Tips
– You can use coffee grounds that have been used to make coffee (I use those from my French press).
Why this works:
– Caffeine is a stimulant, and the grounds are mildly exfoliating.
– Oils are moisturizing.
– Honey is clarifying and will help with any impurities.

Photo: iStock.