Masks and Scrubs for all Skin Types

Okay let's talk skin*.  Deep in the layers of your skin new skin cells are being made all the time.  The newest cells push the older ones further and further away from the water and nutrients they need so the old cells begin to die. These older dead/dying cells make up the 5-7 layers of your outer skin.  These old cells are also what make your skin look not so great: they clog pores, dry out and flake, or just make your skin look dull.  This is why we use things like cleansers, scrubs, masks and peels to help exfoliate these dead cells away.  Okay the boring technical part is over.  Now lets talk about some scrubs and masks that you can make at home.

For All Skin Types

Exfoliate: Combine 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp olive oil. Separately, prepare a serving of plain oatmeal (minus the salt) using less water than called for so it forms a thick paste. Next, add the honey and olive oil mixture to the cooked oatmeal. Apply as a scrub, gently rubbing it in small circles over your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This mask can be done twice weekly. The oatmeal in this scrub exfoliates, while the honey and olive oil moisturize.

Cleanse: Combine 1 Tbs plain Greek yogurt with 2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp lemon oil (not to be confused with lemon juice; lemon oil is an essential oil that can be found at health food stores). The mixture should be a little bit runny but not easily poured out. Massage it over skin, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth soaked in tepid water. This can be done daily. You want to use good-quality oil.  Be careful around the eye area the mixture tends to be very sticky.

For Oil and blemish prone skin

Lift & Tighten: Combine 2 Tbs plain yogurt with 1 Tbs fresh lemon juice and apply to your cleansed face and neck. Let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll feel the mask tighten on your face and neck, which creates a lifting and firming effect. Leave it on longer (up to one hour) for even more face-lifting effects. Once done, rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This mask can be done two to three times a week or whenever you need a face lift. This mask helps fade age-spots, acne scars and even helps keep blemishes and acne in check. It also gets rid of uneven-looking skin tone.

For Dry skin

Soothe: Combine 2 Tbs honey with 1 Tbs apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apply to your clean face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This can be done three times a week. This mask helps to heal, moisturize and balance the pH of the skin.

Moisturize: Oatmeal and fennel will help moisturize dry skin. Grind 1 Tbs oatmeal in a blender and set aside. Add 1 Tbs fennel seeds to 1/2 cup boiling water to make a tea. Allow the seeds to steep for 10 minutes; strain the tea then discard the seeds. Let it cool to room temperature and then combine 1 Tbs of the fennel tea with 1 Tbs ground oatmeal and 1 Tbs honey. Apply the mixture to your clean face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This mask can be done twice weekly.

Brighten: Combine 2 Tbs sour cream with 2 Tbs honey and 1 Tbs apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apply to your cleansed face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This mask can be done twice a week. 

Go ahead and try some of these at home and tell me how they work for you!  Try to use the best quality ingredients that you can find.  Products that are all natural/organic will not contain many of the chemicals found in the more processed stuff out there.  Also, when a recipe calls for oats, use rolled oats never steel cut.  Steel cut oats have sharp edges that can scratch your skin.  Good luck!

*I'm not a doctor or anything.  I've had some medical training/education, but I mostly know this stuff because I've studied and I've used it myself.  This is not medical advice but home remedies that you can try at your own risk.  Thank you.