It's time to look to an unlikely source as your new go-to for all things beauty. Yup, your kitchen is full of ingredients that actually make real super skin friendly staples. Cucumber decongests, mint purifies and lemon lightens, so pop them to the top of your shopping list cos it's time to stock up.
Thought honey was only good for spreading on your morning toast? Well you thought wrong sister. It's actually one of the best natural remedies for smoothing and hydrating skin too. Take it from us, you can trust those bees to give you a plumped and dewy finish before you can say honey pot.
In celebration of these miracle ingredients, we've rounded up the best at home remedies you can whip up right in your kitchen. Cos when it comes to skincare, basic is best darling.
How To Apply Your Mask:
Before trying out your new face mask, make sure you carefully remove all your makeup to get rid of any dirt or impurities. Then apply your mask all over your neck and face taking care to avoid the eye area, then rinse with warm water. FYI as these masks are 100% natural with no nasties or preservatives, you must use them quickly as it won't be long before they turn stale. Yuck.
1. Cucumber Clarifying Mask
Who is it best for?
Those who have a congested complexion and seek luminous skin in minutes. (That's all of us then!)
Ingredients
-1/2 cucumber
-1 natural yoghurt
Prep:
Peel the cucumber, to remove the pesticides from the surface of the skin. If you want an extra gentle mask, opt for the organic version. Cut it into pieces and mix it together with the yoghurt. Apply liberally to the skin and leave on for 15 minutes.
Cucumber Properties:
This green veg is packed full of water, so it moisturises, cleans and makes skin look radiant and happy again. Full of vitamin C, it's also known for its cleansing and astringent qualities. We're sold.
2. Nourishing Avocado and Banana Mask
Who is it best for?
Those who have super dry, and tight skin who experience tugging, reddening easily, etc as a result.
Ingredients
1/2 avocado (very ripe)
1 banana
1 c. (cup of) honey
Prep:
Mix or crush the banana and avocado together to create a perfectly smooth mixture. Add the honey to make the puree, then apply to the face and leave on for 10 minutes.
Properties of banana and avocado:
Thanks to the high level of proteins and vitamins A, B and E that these yummy foods contain, they hydrate your skin from the inside out. The avocado protects your skin from external aggressions, while the banana softens, nourishes and regenerates. If we weren't already obsessed with avo before, we are now!
3. Honey Mask
Who is it best for?
Those who burn the candles at both ends with too many nights out, (guilty!) also those of you who are feeling particularly stressed out whether that be work or home related, and your skin is showing it.
Ingredients
1 egg white
1 c. liquid honey
1/2 c. of lemon juice
1 c. yogurt or cream
Prep:
Beat the egg white and add the honey and lemon juice. Incorporate the yogurt and stir until the ingredients come together. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse.
Properties of honey:
Honey is rich in mineral salts, vitamins and amino acids which makes it super soothing, purifying and softening, leaving your skin dewy and glowing. AKA Insta ready.
4. Yogurt and Oat Shake Mask
Who is it best for?
Tired and dull skin that lacks brightness and luminosity.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup hot water
1/3 cup plain oatmeal
2 c. honey
2 c. plain yoghurt
1 egg white (optional)
Prep:
Mix the hot water with oatmeal, then wait 3 minutes for the water-soaked flakes to swell - think morning porridge but for your pores! Once ready, add the yogurt and egg white to the mixture, then apply a super thick layer to the face and rinse after 15 minutes.
Properties of oats and yoghurt:
B vitamins and minerals found in oats have anti-irritant and softening properties. Enriched with lactic acid, the yogurt exfoliates, hydrates and reveals silky, smooth skin. Calcium also promotes cell renewal for a radiant complexion. We're talking #nofilter.
5. Egg Anti-Wrinkle Mask
Who is it best for?
If you have ageing skin and are looking for a natural alternative to anti-wrinkle creams on the market.
Ingredients:
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg white
2 c. Argan oil or olive oil
Prep:
Beat the egg white until it becomes clear, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Apply a thin layer over the entire face and leave to work its magic for 20 minutes.
Properties of egg:
Egg white is a high protein food that is known to be a natural tensor. It tightens the pores of the skin and acts as a natural anti-wrinkle aid. Not just for the gym freaks then!
6. Oatmeal and lemon matifying mask
Who is it best for?
Those that have oily or combination skin (the skin that shines on the T-zone).
Ingredients
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. yogurt
2 c. of lemon juice
Prep:
Mix the oatmeal and yoghurt carefully together, then add in the lemon juice and stir. Massage your face gently while applying it, then leave for 15 minutes. Once it's been 15 mins, rinse off but take care not to rub the skin too hard as this will just create more oil.
Properties of lemon juice:
The lemon has both exfoliating and lightening powers. It erases imperfections on the surface of the skin such as small pimples and blackheads thanks to its antibacterial and antioxidant powers. It really is a juice of many talents.
7. Chocolate Antioxidant Mask
Who is it best for?
For those who want to prevent the oxidation of the skin, caused by pollution, sun, tobacco and all those every day nasties that make us less beautiful, and thus prevent ageing.
Ingredients:
2 c. Unsweetened cocoa (or 2 square dark chocolate)
1 c. Vegetable oil OR Argan oil OR olive oil OR walnut oil. Pick just one.
1 c. Fresh cream
Prep:
Mix all the ingredients together, (melt the chocolate in a pan of boiling water before making the mask). Mix well until smooth. Pop on to your face and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing. And er, try not to eat it eh?
Properties of the chocolate:
The antioxidant capacity of cocoa is three times greater than that of green tea. Here's the best news you'll hear all day: eating 1 square of 70% cocoa dark chocolate is excellent for the skin and your health in general. Yay!
8. Purifying Clay Mask
Who is it best for?
Mixed and oily skin. City-dwellers and commuters who seek to eliminate the toxins that clog their pores on a daily basis.
Ingredients
2 c. clay powder
1 c. of hazelnut oil
2 c. mineral water
Prep:
Mix the 3 ingredients well until you get a smooth paste without any lumps. Apply a thick layer on to your face avoiding the delicate contour of the eyes and lips. If the clay dries, you can moisten it with steam (place your face a few inches over a bowl of hot water - easy). Leave to work for between 10 and 15 minutes.
Properties of green clay:
It has purifying, healing and absorbing properties and it rebalances the skin by absorbing the excess sebum which causes those annoying black heads. Blemishes be gone!
Inspired to get making some at home remedies? Let us know how you get on @SoFeminineUK!
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