Natural Face Masks

While there are many great face masks available to buy at your local beauty counter or drugstore, sometimes it's best to just open up your kitchen cabinets and use the natural ingredients that you have right at home....

Personally, I love making homemade natural face masks....I like knowing exactly what ingredients I'm mixing together... that way I don't have to worry about chemicals that are added to most masks that may cause my skin to freak out.

I was told a while back by a facialist that honey (especially raw) is a natural lifesaver for the skin.  It can remedy skin that is dry, provide a high amount of nutrients, act as an anti-bacterial agent against skin prone to breakouts and even has anti-aging properties due to all the antioxidants that are in honey.

The following are two of my go-to honey based natural masks that are inexpensive, easy to make and can be done with just a few ingredients, that you probably all ready have in your kitchen cupboard! 

Honey, Oats and Lavender Face Mask:

Benefits:
The fiber found in oats increases skin's moisture, helps improve lines and wrinkles in the face, aids in replenishing dull skin tone and increases the rate of skin renewal. I will put lavender in just about anything I can... as you can see (here) but it's an extra bonus when there are health benefits for you skin involved! Lavender oil can help soothe the appearance of blemishes and even reduce inflammation.


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of oats 
2 tablespoons of honey
4 drops of essential lavender oil (optional)


Method:
Mix all ingredients together well until you have a paste like consistency, apply to skin for about 20 min and then wash off with warm water and preferably with a wash cloth in order to get the optimal exfoliation benefits from the oats. 










Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Honey Face Mask

Benefits:

Nutmeg and honey act as natural anti-inflammatories, which can help in reducing swelling and the redness in your skin. It's also great to soothe acne scars.  When cinnamon is applied topically it brings blood and nutrients to the skin's surface making your skin look more vibrant.




Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of honey 
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of nutmeg. 

Small amount of warm to hot water (optional)

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together until you have a paste if you're finding it's still too dry you can add some water, a little at time until you have the desired consistency.  

If you do add the water make sure it's fairly warm as this will aid in "melting" the honey making it easier to mix into a paste. 

Leave on for 20-25 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.  If you have very sensitive skin don't do this mask more than once a week or your skin could become irritated. 

xoxo

Meg