Easy DIY face mask recipes
Massage parlours and spas in Thailand may be back in business as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve, but it’s understandable that many people are still avoiding visiting these places due to health concerns.
But worry not – we’re here to make sure everyone can safely give their skin a treat at home without having to worry about the virus.
We’ve gathered 12 easy DIY facial scrubs and mask recipes for all skin types to enjoy. The best part is that all ingredients are simple enough to be found at home, or bought at the supermarket!
Exfoliate your skin first!
Before we get started with the face masks, we need to exfoliate our skin with a scrub first. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, cleanses and unclogs pores, and simply prepares our skin to absorb nutrients from face masks.
Remember to be gentle! Here are some scrub formulas you can try at home:
Brown sugar scrub
Image credit: Khatishodai
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil
Preparation and application
Stir the ingredients in a small bowl until combined well. Spread the scrub on your face and give it a gentle circular rub for around 1 minute.
Benefits
Coconut oil adds moisture to your skin while dead skin is being scrubbed off by the brown sugar granules. As a result, your skin will get a soft and glowy finish.
Fresh blueberry scrub
Image credit: Earth
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 – 2 tbsp sugar
Preparation and application
Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor until smooth and gently scrub your face with the mixture for 60 seconds. You can also allow it to stay on your skin for 15 minutes.
Benefits
Packed with antioxidants, fresh blueberries protect the skin from free radicals, which are molecules that can damage our skin cells, and slows down the ageing process. If you have an acne problem, then honey is also your best friend as it is believed to combat breakouts.
Chocolate sugar scrub
Image credit: Steele House
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Preparation and application
After mixing all the ingredients together, mildly rub it all over your face for 60 seconds. If you wish, leave it on your skin for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. The sweet and delicious chocolate is tempting to eat – we wouldn’t blame you for sneaking a little lick!
Benefits
Olive oil contains antioxidants that help fight off ageing skin while moisturising your skin at the same time. Cocoa powder is also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
For dry skin
Turmeric & yoghurt mask
Image credit: Times of India
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of Greek yoghurt
Preparation and application
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and use your hands or cosmetic spatula to apply the mask to your face. Allow the ingredients to seep through your skin for 20 minutes.
Benefits
While yoghurt and honey prevent acne and add a nice “glow” to our skin, turmeric helps to reduce redness and skin inflammations.
Banana & honey mask
Image credit: Girlsallaround
Ingredients
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Preparation and application
Mash half a ripe banana with honey and baking soda. When the ingredients are well-mixed, gently apply it to your face.
The mask might feel runny at first, but it should dry within minutes. Let the mask sit for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.
Benefits
Banana, like many fruits, is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe your skin. Both honey and baking soda are also known as a treatment for breakouts and pimples.
Note: If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid baking soda because it can cause irritation. Also, don’t use this recipe more than 2 times a week.
Honey-coco mask
Image credit: Sun Warrior
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Plain Yogurt
Preparation and application
Pop some coconut oil in a microwave for a few seconds until melted and mix all ingredients together. Then, use a cosmetic brush to slather it on your skin and let it soak in for 10-15 minutes.
Benefits
This formula adds extra hydration and moisture to your dry skin with the help of coconut oil, yoghurt, and honey. Moreover, it has soothing properties, which is perfect for folks with sensitive skin.
For oily skin
Fresh aloe vera mask
Image credit: Medical News
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons fresh aloe (or, in a pinch, aloe vera gel)
Preparation and application
Fresh aloe vera can be found in the majority of Thai houses. Peel the clear, jelly-looking part of the aloe vera and mix it with egg whites. Slather the mixture on your skin with a cosmetic brush or sponge.
Let it soothe your skin 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Benefits
The aloe vera plant is widely known for calming and hydrating your skin, which is perfect for after a long stressful week. As for egg whites, they can absorb excess oil, making this mask perfect folks with oily skin.
Mojito mask
Image credit: Pinterest
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- Cucumber
- Mint leaves
Preparation and application
Throw everything into a food processor or blender until smooth and refrigerate it for a good 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face with fingers or a brush. Let it calm your skin for 15 minutes.
Benefits
While the egg whites eliminate excess oil, mint and cucumber will pump vitamin C and antioxidants into your skin.
The best part? You get to enjoy a cool, relaxing sensation from the refrigerated mint and cucumber. Slathering this mask after a hot day out is recommended.
Banana & lemon mask
Image credit: Moon Gate Botanicals
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 10 drops lemon juice
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
Preparation and application
Mash the banana in a bowl before putting in the olive oil and lemon juice to form a soft paste. Carefully apply the mask all over your face and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing with warm water.
Benefits
People with oily skin and clogged pores will love this formula as the banana acts as an oil “sponge” while the lemon helps clean your pores.
Better yet, the olive oil also provides your skin with vitamin A, D, E, and K and moisturises it, giving it a soft and smooth finish.
For mixed skin
Soothing honey mask
Image credit: Health Facts
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of pure honey
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 wedge of fresh lemon
Preparation and application
Warm the honey in a microwave for a few seconds before mixing it with the cinnamon and lemon juice. Use your fingers or a cosmetic brush to thoroughly apply it on your skin.
Give your face a gentle massage and let the mask sit for 15 minutes.
Benefits
Lemon’s acid not only energises and exfoliates your skin but also helps minimise dark spots too. Cinnamon also reduces inflammation and redness while honey keeps the breakouts at bay.
Anti-blemish milk mask
Image credit: Health and Trend
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons of milk
Preparation and application
Like preparing your milk before bedtime, mix everything together. We strongly recommend you use a cosmetic sponge or brush to slather the product as its consistency is on the watery side.
Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes before washing.
Benefits
Honey milk is known to kill off bacteria and, therefore, prevent future pimples and nutmeg functions like a soothing exfoliator for all skins.
Chocolate cake mask
Image credit: Maria Lujan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons of oats
- 4 tablespoons of cream (dairy)
- 1/4 cup of honey
Preparation and application
Mix all ingredients until it looks similar to that of a chocolate cake mix before applying it to your face with a makeup spatula or brush and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
Benefits
Let the antioxidants in cocoa flight off free radicals that can lead to early wrinkles while honey and oat tag team to improve breakouts and acne.
Turning your home into a spa
For ultimate relaxation, we recommend lighting up your favourite aromatic candles, setting up some soothing music, and dimming the lights while recreating these easy-peasy DIY face mask formulas.
And voila! Everyone in your household can pamper their skin with spa-like vibes without having to step out of the house.
Cover images adapted from: Maria Lujan, Pinterest
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