Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
For those of us who aren’t able to escape to a spa for relaxation on a daily basis (or even occasionally), these do-it-yourself face mask recipes are a great solution for giving skin a nourishing, moisturizing boost.
Even better, they are all made from completely non-toxic ingredients… in fact, you can eat most of them and have them at your fingertips in your kitchen already!
Why Make a Homemade Face Mask?
There are many quality natural skincare options these days (I’ll link to my favorites at the end of this post), so why make your own?
Bottom line, it’s convenient, inexpensive, fun to do, and these DIY masks really work! Not to mention you know exactly what’s in them (without reading tricky ingredient labels).
My Favorite DIY Face Mask Recipes
You can’t go wrong with these simple, inexpensive recipes:
1. Very Basic Face Mask(s)
Bentonite clay is something I keep around for a wide range of DIY recipes. Use some bentonite clay or kaolin clay and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to face in a circular motion until face is covered. Let dry and use a warm, wet washcloth to remove.
Another great basic face mask is just one ingredient… honey! You’ll be amazed at how soft a simple honey mask will leave your skin. If you have sensitive skin or are just short on time, try it!
Good for: All skin types
2. Tropical Mask
In my opinion, this is the only good use for a banana, one of my least favorite foods (putting it mildly!). Mash one banana with 1 tablespoon of honey and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Apply to face and allow to stay on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well.
Good for: Dry skin
3. Pumpkin Spice Face Mask Recipe
I love everything pumpkin, so why not put it in a face mask? Pumpkin contains vitamins and minerals that are great for skin like vitamin C, vitamin A, and zinc. It also contains enzymes and antioxidants that create an effect similar to an alpha-hydroxy treatment.
Mix pureed pumpkin, honey, bentonite clay, and a little cinnamon following this recipe and apply. Guarantee you’ll want a pumpkin latte brewing for right after!
Good for: Mature skin
4. Chai Mask
For a delicious smelling mask that also gently exfoliates, mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Rub on face and let sit 20 minutes. Remove with a washcloth and warm water. (Note: some people react to cinnamon or nutmeg on skin. Test a small amount on your inner arm before using.)
Tip: Double the batch and use as sweetener in a cup of chai tea!
Good for: Oily or normal skin
5. Guacamole Mask
For dry skin, mash 1/2 of a ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons of honey and apply to the face. Let sit 20+ minutes and rinse well.
Good for: All skin types, especially dry skin
6. Cool Cucumber Mask
This one is especially great for oily or inflamed skin. Blend 1/2 of a cucumber with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of bentonite or kaolin clay. Add additional clay if needed to create a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes.
Remove with a washcloth and warm water.
Good for: All skin types, especially cooling for acne-prone skin
7. Matcha Tea Face Mask
Matcha tea is a powdered green tea and the same properties that make it beneficial for drinking are great for the skin! Just add a little honey to make an antioxidant matcha tea mask to reduce inflammation, even skin tone, and increase skin elasticity.
Again, I highly recommend making a matcha tea latte to go with your spa experience!
Good for: Acne or redness-prone skin
8. Chocolate Face Mask
I saved the most delicious for last! Honey, cacao powder, and chocolate combine to make this moisturizing and toning chocolate face mask. Theobromine in the cacao stimulates blood flow to the skin for a natural glow and according to studies even protects from sun damage.
Good for: Anti-aging, all skin types
9. Turmeric Face Mask
Want bright, glowing skin? Why not use a bright, glowing spice to get it? Warning, only use this turmeric face mask recipe in the shower and not with your favorite white washcloth – it stains!
Good for: All skin types
Buy Instead of DIY?
If you fall in love with these natural face mask recipes and are ready to splurge in this department, I highly recommend Alitura’s Natural Clay Mask. It’s the purest formula I’ve found and leaves my skin baby soft with significantly smaller pores and fewer breakouts. It’s like combining the benefits of all of these recipes into one!
After Mask Routine
After using a face mask, a sea salt spray or 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in 1 cup of cool water work as great toners to lock in the effects.
I find that these all work best in combination with the oil cleansing method for completely natural skincare.
Ever used a face mask made from food? How did it work for you? Share below!
Homemade Mulling Spices Recipe
»
Hi there, im wondering how long can face masks with dairy products be kept because most of these face masks have yogurt/milk content. Thank you:)
You are going to want to make a small batch since they won’t last very long.
Hi Katie,
The Bentonite Clay on Amazon says that it contains trace amounts of lead, which can cause birth defects and other reproductive issues. We are not done having babies (just had our first), so this disclaimer make a little nervous. Are these trace amounts significant enough to cause any real issues?
I found another option that claims to have no lead whatsoever. it is Sodium Carbonate instead of Calcium Carbonate (link below). Have you tried this one before?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NALUNAI?psc=1
I have not tried that one, no. Sorry…
There are more than trace amounts of lead in the plastics we all use, a wide range of cosmetics (especially lipsticks & mascaras), not to mention the soil we grow our food in, the food we eat & the water we drink (lead in old pipes & newer pipes used in our infrastructure & homes).
Trace amount means nearly none, so I wouldn’t even worry about this. You’re already packing more than trace amounts of lead in your body. The tiny bit in any clay masks isn’t going to overload you.
Is lead good for you? No. But there’s no way to avoid it. It’s all around us & in us.
Ok WOW. I had some overripe avacado left and knew about the health benefits of avacado (but not how to use them in beauty) which led me to find your site. I ended up first using your oil cleansing method with equal parts organic pure expelled coconut oil and EVOO and put it in my magic bullet to get a nice consistency. Once I was done cleansing and rinsing my face, I kept the remaining CO and EVOO in my magic bullet to create my mask by adding 1 whole avocado, and 2 tbsp honey. It felt so luxurious being applied and slightly cool to the touch. I plan to follow my mask (wearing as I type) with the healthy skin sea salt spray. Thanks so much for your creative recipes,
try milk powder and apple cider vinegar (small amount) – make a smooth paste – apply with brush – instant lactic acid mask! leave on for 10-15 minutes
Raw honey can be expensive and i am already going to be using it to put in drinks and recipes, so can i use regular honey or do you recommend raw honey for the face mask????
Thanks for the recipe!!
i use half a banana and a whole avocado, a teaspoon of honey and drops of lemon , teaspoon of yogurt and a teaspoon bicarb soda. Usually at this point my mixture is quite thin so i use flour or rice flour to thicken into a paste.
These stay quite well in the fridge for upto 3 days.
Enjoy 🙂
~~~~Aurora ~~~~~
Thanks for great mask recipes! Do you have any recipes for the skin around eyes, against dark circles?
if you put cottage cheese under your eyes that should help.
I try many face cream even from organic brands but dos’nt work for me. I have a sensitive skin but I’m not allergic to tha sea butter stil I’m not happy with,pleas somebody need help,please!
Can these be stored for any amount of time after making them? I whipped up a batch of the guacamolemask, but there was way more than I could use on my face in one go.
They can stay good in the fridge for a few days
Thanks for it you made everyone beautiful