DIY Masks for Winter
We’re still in the depths of winter and the only good thing about this season is getting to be as indulgent as I please with my skincare. However, sometimes the funds don't exactly match what the lady of leisure in me wants but this doesn't get in the way of one of my favourite aspects of self-care. Being the glorious cesspool of stuff Amazon is, I finally found something that would allow me to have my pamper Sundays while saving a bit of cash, DIY face masks. You read that correctly, do it yourself face masks! Now I don't just mean mashing a bit of banana in a bowl and throwing it on (although this will come in later), you can literally buy the sheet mask 'fabric' yourself, soak it in whatever solution you think is best for you and there you have it!
Now in case you were thinking ‘how do I know which combinations work best for me’, this basic guide usually works best. After washing your face, if your skin feels tight and you notice some dry spots or noticeable flaking, your skin type is dry. If you dab your t-zone with tissue, and there’s excess oil, your skin type is oily. If your t-zone is oily but there’s some tightness in your cheeks, you have combination skin. Now we’ve got that out of the way, I’ve got some concoctions below perfect for keeping your skin as soft and bright as possible no matter the weather:
Dry:
Cucumber and Aloe Vera (my favourite)
Cucumbers are mostly water, but they also contain vitamin C and Caffeic acid, both of which help to soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Aloe Vera helps to treat dry skin and it also contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory.
Shea Butter and Cucumber
Shea Butter has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins which make it the perfect ingredient for softening skin. Perfect for those days where the wind is so aggressive you immediately regret even thinking of leaving your house.
Avocado Oil and Buttermilk
Avocado Oil is the best for moisturising dry skin and acts as a natural sunblock, which is incredibly important even in winter. Regular use of buttermilk helps tighten the skin, keeping it looking bright even without your favourite highlight.
Oily:
Rosewater and Lemon Juice
Rosewater helps maintain the skin's pH balance, and also controls excess oil. Lemon is a well-known natural remedy used for soothing spots and helping to ward off blackheads, make sure to dilute your lemon to make sure your solution isn’t too acidic.
Banana and Honey
Banana may be the worst tasting fruit of all time (in my humble and right opinion) but it is a great exfoliator which helps to take off excess oil on the skin surface. Since Honey contains antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, it helps to rid your skin of blackheads by removing dirt from pores. It then hydrates and tightens skin pores for a clearer complexion.
Eggs whites, Oats and Honey
Egg whites contain albumin, a protein that helps tighten pores and also remove excessive oil. Oatmeal soaks up the excess oil on your skin and can help treat breakouts.
Combination:
Pineapple Juice and Yoghurt
Pineapple juice contains vitamin C and beta-carotene. These antioxidants can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture. Yoghurt is a great skin exfoliate. The lactic acid present in yoghurt is the natural alpha hydroxyl acid that helps remove dead skin cells.
Olive Oil, Honey and Lemon Juice
Olive oil acts as an antioxidant and can fight the signs of premature ageing, it is also a natural moisturiser that is often used to soften both skin and hair.
Egg white and Apple Cider Vinegar
This exfoliating effect promotes cell turnover, which sloughs away dead skin cells and helps clear out and prevent clogged pores