Create your own facial scrubs and masks right in your own kitchen with common food ingredients. Select recipes formulated for your skin type.
Many commercial facial scrubs and masks contain foods, natural botanicals and essential oils. The commercial preparations usually contain carrier creams or carrier oils and preservatives. Sometimes they contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, unrecognizable proprietary ingredients, substances from the depths of the ocean, and an assortment of ingredients that we'd never apply to our faces if we actually read the labels. Often they contain fragrance and color to add eye appeal, and of course, these dollar concoctions often come in a $50 container and package.
Using common ingredients, you can whip up similar, if not better, lotions and potions right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost. If you have to buy an ingredient or two, eat the leftovers or make another batch later in the week. Make small batches, and store for no more than a few days in a covered container in the refrigerator.
We'll explore several easy facial scrub recipes and several easy facial mask recipes. Select one from each group for your skin type.
Note: Perform a small patch test on the inside of your arm before using on your face.
Facial Scrub Recipes
Select a facial scrub for your skin type below. Follow with the face mask for your skin type further down in the article.
Strawberry almond facial scrub for oily skin
Ingredients:
• 5 strawberries, washed and hulled
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons yogurt
• 1/4 cup almonds, ground
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions:
1. Puree the strawberries in a small food processor.
2. Add the other ingredients to the food processor, and blend until creamy.
3. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instructions for use:
1. Wet your face with water.
2. Apply scrub to your face with a gentle circular motion. Take care not to tug the skin, and avoid the eye area.
3. Rinse with warm water followed by a quick cold-water rinse.
4. Cleanse your face with your normal cleanser.
Oatmeal facial scrub for normal or sensitive skin
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons commercial pure aloe vera or aloe vera gel from a plant
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a food processor, and blend until creamy.
2. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instructions for use:
1. Wet your face with water.
2. Apply scrub to your face with a gentle circular motion. Take care not to tug the skin, and avoid the eye area.
3. Rinse with warm water followed by a quick cold-water rinse.
4. Cleanse your face with your normal cleanser.
Brown sugar-lemon facial scrub for dry skin
Ingredients:
• 1 portion of your normal facial cleanser
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, add brown sugar and lemon juice to your normal facial cleanser.
2. Mix until blended.
Instructions for use:
1. Wet your face with water.
2. Apply scrub to your face with a gentle circular motion. Take care not to tug the skin, and avoid the eye area.
3. Rinse with warm water followed by a quick cold-water rinse.
4. Cleanse your face with your normal cleanser.
Face Mask Recipes
Select a facial mask for your skin type below, and apply after using the scrub for your skin type from the recipes above.
Cucumber facial mask for oily skin
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 tablespoon low-fat yogurt
Directions:
1. Wash cucumber, peel and slice into rounds.
2. Add to food processor and puree.
3. Add yogurt and blend until smooth.
4. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instructions for use:
1. Apply to cleansed face.
2. Leave on face until just dry.
3. Using a damp wash cloth, gently remove mask from face.
4. Rinse face and pat dry with a clean towel.
Honey-oatmeal facial mask for normal or sensitive skin
Ingredients:
• 4 tablespoons oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons hot water
Directions:
1. In a food processor, grind oatmeal.
2. Add honey and hot water and process until fully blended.
3. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instructions for use:
1. Apply to cleansed face.
2. Leave on face until your face begins to feel tight.
3. Using a damp wash cloth, gently remove mask from face.
4. Rinse face and pat dry with a clean towel.
Banana-honey facial mask for dry skin
Ingredients:
• 1/2 fresh banana
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to food processor, and pulse to process.
2. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instructions for use:
1. Apply to cleansed face.
2. Leave on face for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Using a damp wash cloth, gently remove mask from face.
4. Rinse face and pat dry with a clean towel.
Written by MJ Plaster - © 2002 Pagewise
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