4 homemade face masks to suit every skin type

If you’re anything like the beauty-obsessed folk here at IMAGE HQ, you probably spend a large chunk of your paycheck on cleansers, masks and exfoliants. But did you know it’s easy to make your own facial products at home? Everything you need is already in your kitchen (and if it’s not, it’s likely on your grocery list). Whether your skin is dry, oily, rough or dull, there’s a home-made beauty treatment for you (just try not to eat it first).

Acne-prone skin

Mix a tablespoon of manuka honey, a teaspoon of turmeric powder, and half a teaspoon of sea salt in a bowl before applying to your skin. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe angry, red spots.

It’s suitable for sensitive skin and can even reduce flare-ups in people with eczema and rosacea. The manuka honey draws out bacteria from your pores, improving acne-prone areas, while the sea salt cleanses your pores. Allow your skin to absorb the ingredients for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Dry skin

Dry skin can be incredibly uncomfortable (and it’s not made easier by these long, winter days). To give your face a natural boost of moisture, mix an avocado, two tablespoons of natural yoghurt, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to your skin using a clean foundation brush, leave for 20 minutes, then wash off.

Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, told Allure, “The omega fatty acids in avocado and olive oil help seal cracks between skin cells,” while the honey and yoghurt help your skin feel plump and hydrated.

Dull, ageing, or rough skin

If your skin is looking dull or tired, a brightening treatment is what you need. Blend two spoons of natural yoghurt, a scoop of porridge oats, a tablespoon of honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice together in a bowl. The lactic acid found in yoghurt fights common signs of ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles, while the citric acid in lemon juice tackles age spots and pigmentation.

The porridge oats act as an exfoliant, clearing away dead skin cells to reveal the bright, young cells underneath. Lastly, honey leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. Keep the mask on your face until it dries, then wash away with warm water.

Oily skin

There’s no way to ‘close’ your pores, per se, but you can minimise their visibility and reduce the amount of oil they secrete. Whisk one egg-white, a tablespoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice; then apply the mixture to your skin. The protein in the egg-white helps to tighten your skin, reducing the size of your pores.

The honey will eliminate the discomfort of tight skin, moisturising your face without leaving you oily. Alternatively, a blend of avocado and cucumber can moisturise your skin while also regulating oil production.