Natural Skin Care: Face Masks

Do you love pampering yourself with face masks, but hate their high price tags? You don’t have to spend your whole paycheck at the beauty counter to get great skin. All the things you need to make your own face masks can be found right at home. They are all free of chemicals and harsh soaps. Harness the power of food and get glowing, healthy skin.

Sugar for Exfoliation

Sugar is great for exfoliation because the granules are not sharp enough to cause microscopic tears in your face like the exfoliants found in stores. Mass produced facial scrubs often contain crushed walnut shells or other harsh ingredients that can permanently damage your skin.

How to Use It:

Mix one tablespoon of sugar with two tablespoons of warm water to form a paste. Gently massage it into your face, focusing on dry patches and other problem areas. Rinse with warm water.

Yogurt for Redness

A yogurt mask will combat redness and provide a cooling effect. It’s great for hot days and helps soothe sunburned or otherwise irritated skin. Just make sure you pick up plain yogurt, not the flavored kind! It should have no sugar or added ingredients.

How to Use It

• Use a paintbrush for best results, but anything clean that you can spread it on your face with will do.     
• Apply a very thin layer all over your face and let it sit until it is no longer noticeably cool.
• Remove with a wet washcloth.

Egg Whites to Moisturize

You may have seen your mother do this one when you were a little kid. An egg white mask will give your skin a dewy look by adding moisture and minimizing the appearance of pores.

How to Use It:

• Separate the whites from two eggs and put them into a bowl.   
• Mix until they are slightly frothy, but do not whip.
• Apply to your face with a makeup or paintbrush and let set until dry to the touch. 
• Remove with a wet washcloth.

Turmeric to Brighten

Many Indian women use turmeric to brighten their complexions. Warning: Turmeric may stain fair-skinned individuals’ faces and anything else it comes into contact with. Avoid contact with your good towels. Use the old ones in the back of the closet! This mask is best for people with dark complexions, but the staining will fade after a few hours if you have lighter skin.

How to Use It:

• Mix two tablespoons of flour, ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, ¼ cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt and a little bit of honey into a thick paste.
• Spread the mixture over your face, avoiding areas that are prone to staining like the corners of your mouth and around your eyes. 
• Wait 15 minutes. 
• Rinse well with warm water and enjoy your newly brightened skin.