Try it: As a skin-soothing homemade face mask for when your skin is having an angry day
Why it works: Colloidal oatmeal reigns supreme at beating back inflammation; it's often an ingredient in eczema relief products. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dry, itchy skin has a high pH level, which oatmeal can help stabilize.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup hot water
1/3 cup oatmeal
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoon honey
1 small egg white
Directions: Mix oatmeal and hot water together, then let sit for two minutes. Mix in the rest of the ingredients, combining well. Apply a thin layer to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.
Homemade Face Mask No. 3: Skin-Saving Mayonnaise Facial
Try it: When your skin needs a serious dose of moisture
Why it works: You've heard of mayonnaise for your hair, but it also works wonders on skin. With ingredients like egg and soybean oil, mayonnaise is a natural emollient that will soothe dry skin.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Directions: Spread chilled mayonnaise on your skin. After 15 minutes, wash off with warm water.
Homemade Face Mask No. 2: Skin-Balancing Mustard Facial
Try it: When all signs (extreme sensitivity, acne, inflammation, etc.) point to a skin pH imbalance
Why it works: This mustard seeds in this homemade face mask contain sulphur, an bacteria killer that will keep your skin in balance. They're also rich in vitamin A, C and K, which prevent free radicals.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup mild mustard
Directions: First, patch test the mustard on a small area of skin to make sure it's mild enough to safely use on skin. If no irritation occurs, spread the mustard on your face. (You can use a makeup brush if you want to feel fancy ... or at least fancier.) Wait 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
Homemade Face Mask No. 1: Skin-Reviving Chocolate Face Mask
Try it: When you need to hit the "refresh" button on your skin
Why it works: Any chocolate lover has used this defense: Chocolate is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent skin damage. And protected skin cells are happy skin cells. All the more reason to use your leftover brownie ingredients in this homemade face mask.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered oatmeal
Directions: Mix all ingredients into a paste. Apply to face, let sit for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
A small-batch, locally sourced, artisanal beauty product is to me what Christmas is to five-year-olds.
While I love the beauty benefits of all-natural products, I don't always love the price tag. Those "made in the USA" and "gluten-free" labels translate to higher prices. That's why I'm equally obsessed with homemade face masks. It's a chance to play chemist in my very own skin apothecary and it costs a fraction of the price of my precious Fair Trade products.
We've rounded up some of the best face mask recipes from dermatologists and beauty experts that deliver skin-healing, glow-inducing magic. Whether you need an avocado mask to hydrate parched skin or an egg-based facial mask to tighten pores, these are the best homemade face masks for your skin.