Top 6 Homemade Face Masks

Welcome to the new Beauty & Skincare section of my site. As a makeup enthusiast and a product junkie it was about time I added an area dedicated solely to beauty to PeaceLoveShea.com. As much as fashion is my life, the truth of the matter is that I’d give up all my clothes for perfect skin any day. Who wouldn’t?! Over the past 4 years I have had the advantage of working with some very talented makeup artists, estheticians, hairstylists, manicurists, photographers, nutritionists, health addicts, fitness instructors, you name it; and I’ve learned so many tips and tricks from the best of the best that now I’m able to share with you here. And keep your eye’s peeled because we’ll be having some fabulous guest writers too.

For the first post I’m sharing some of my favorite homemade masks.
Beauty and drugtores are lined with shelves of the “best new must-try” products that will make you empty your wallet- if not bank account in search of perfect skin. While many times its true- what you get is what you pay for- there are also amazing skin care products that you can make yourself, using natural products you may already have at home. They are easy to make, effective, and best of all, made with all natural ingredients.

1) Yogurt, Lemon & Sunflower Oil

This is a near daily mask you can use 3-5 times a week. It’s a great mask suitable for all skin types and a good starting point to add other ingredients. Yogurt is a powerhouse when it comes to face masks. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which is a natural exfoliator that dissolves dead skin cells that can accumulate in pores causing dull looking skin. It also contains zinc, which slows down aging by fighting free radicals that can cause wrinkles. Sunflower oil’s calming and moisturizing properties have been know for years. It is a relatively light weight oil compared to other oils and has a high vitamin E content, which is important in preventing sun damage. Lemon juice contains citric acid which brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots and blemishes. It’s a natural antiseptic when used in facial mask and also speeds cell turnover.

Ingredients:
1 cup Greek plain Greek yogurt
2-3 T sunflower oil (you can also use olive oil)
2 T lemon juice

Mix together and apply to face. Let dry for 15-20 minutes then rinse with tepid water. Your skin will feel refreshed, tightened so soft. I keep this in the fridge to use throughout the week. You can add more or less oil or lemon juice to adjust for your skin type

2) Yogurt, Lemon & Sunflower with Strawberries and Honey

Start with the yogurt/sunflower mask and just add strawberries and honey. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, salicylic and hydroxy acids, which helps cleanse and clear your complexion. Honey has natural healing and antibacterial properties. It’s rich in minerals and amino acids. It’s also a humectant that draws moisture into your skin.

Place some of the yogurt and sunflower mask in a small bowl. Mash a few very ripe strawberries. Add to bowl with 1 tsp of honey. Mix together. leave on for 15 minutes and rinse.

3) Oatmeal, Yogurt and Honey

Oatmeal contains both anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is ideal for sensitive skins. It helps with many skin disorders such as sunburns, eczema, and poison ivy.

3T oatmeal finely ground (grind a cup or so in a small coffee grinder and save extra)
1T yogurt
1 t honey

Place oatmeal in small bowl and add a little hot water. Add the honey and let this steep for a few minutes. Add yogurt and stir. Apply the mask and leave on for 10 minutes then message gently for a minute to exfoliate. Rinse with warm water.
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4) Avocado, Yogurt, Honey & Lemon

Avocados nourish and hydrate the skin without irritation, making it one best ingredients for natural face masks. It’s also rich in vitamin E. The oil in avocados has the ability to retain water, so it acts as an emollient for soft and supple skin.

1/2 very ripe avocado smashed into paste
2T yogurt
1/2 t honey
few squeezes lemon juice

Mix together all ingredients and apply to face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

5) Avocado, Honey and Grapeseed Oil

This is an excellent mask when your skin needs a moisture boost. The honey helps to refine and tighten pores. Grapeseed oil is a light emollient oil that easily penetrates the skin and is especially good for sensitive skin.

1/2 very ripe avocado smashed into paste
2T honey
1T grapeseed oil

Mix together all ingredients and apply to face for 10 minutes. Massage into skin, then rinse with warm water.

Please make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients used here. You can do a patch test on your wrist to be sure. I’m sure many of your have your favorite recipes so feel free to add them in the comment section.

6) Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar and Honey Scrub

This is my favorite scrub. Coconut oil is used in so many natural beauty products. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. It’s a great moisturizer for skin and hair and the smell is beyond heavenly! Brown sugar is gentler than white for exfoliation. I use this once or twice a week.

3T coconut oil
3T honey
3T brown sugar

Use pure unrefined extra virgin coconut oil. It isn’t a liquid but more of a thick cream that melts when it warms or touches your skin. It feels so luxurious. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Apply to cleansed face in a gentle circular motion, then rinse off with warm water. (you won’t be able to resist tasting this so go ahead and taste) Your skin will feel amazing afterwards! You can keep the extra scrub in a covered container. I have heard that coconut oil is one of the best moisturizers for your hair since it has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft. I’d love to know if any of you have tried it.