DIY Face Masks
by Nicole Wilkes
Photography courtesy of Noor Nasser
As cold weather, midterms and all-nighters approach, fall at Boston University can do a number on your skin, leaving it dry, tired and dull. Fear not—here are five Do-It-Yourself face-mask recipes to include in your next self-care session.
Cocoa and Coconut Oil Mask Good for serious hydration Directions:
In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
Apply evenly to face
Leave on for 15 minutes
Rinse face with water
People may be surprised, but cocoa powder is an excellent exfoliant that works wonders in getting rid of dead skin. Coconut oil locks in moisture and gives the skin a beautiful glow, so this mask is perfect for those prone to dry skin in the winter. Recipe from Hercampus.com.
Papaya Mask Good for luminous, wrinkle-free skin Directions:
Mix 3-5 tablespoons of blended papaya with 1 tablespoon of honey
Apply to entire face and spread evenly
Leave on for 10-15 minutes
Rinse face with warm water
According to Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa, which posted this mask mix, papaya is a great exfoliant as “it helps remove dead and damaged skin, which exposes fresh new glowing skin.” They also said, “It also helps in evening out skin color by reducing brown spots caused by sun exposure.”
Strawberry Mask Good for acne relief Directions:
Mash 2-3 ripe strawberries (leaves included) in a small bowl
Combine with 1 tablespoon of honey
Massage gently onto face for two minutes
Leave on for 15 minutes
Rinse face with warm water first, then cold (to close pores)
Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid—a key ingredient in many acne-fighting medicines and creams. When you include the leaves in the mixture, it gives the mask a gentle exfoliating effect as well. Recipe from Bellatory.com.
Oatmeal Mask Good treatment to fight redness Directions:
In a saucepan, mix ½ cup oatmeal, ½ cup water, ½ cup milk and 1 tablespoon of honey
Cook on medium heat for five minutes, then let it cool
Apply to face for 15 minutes
Rinse face with water
The combination of oatmeal, honey and milk leaves your skin smooth. “Honey makes skin feel soft,” said Her Campus, which posted this recipe in April 2016. “Milk is an anti-inflammatory, and this is why redness is reduced with this mask. Oatmeal is used for exfoliating the skin. Water is just used to thin out the mask a little and gives the mask a more even texture to apply.”
Lemon and Egg White Mask Good for oil control Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg white until frothy
Combine with ½-1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (the more severe and inflamed your acne, the less you should use)
Gently massage onto face and leave on for 10-15 minutes
Rinse with slightly warm water
Lemon is famous for reducing the skin’s oil production in addition to reducing the visibility of acne scars and blemishes. The pH of egg whites balances out the highly acidic lemon juice, keeping the mask from irritating the face. Egg whites also contain nourishing vitamins and minerals, which can reduce oiliness and tighten pores. You can find the recipe on Bellatory.com.