Before We Start
• Before getting the at-home spa day in motion, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind when making DIY face masks.
• Always do a patch test. You should test products that will go on your skin on a small patch before applying them all over your face.
• Use fresh ingredients. If you wouldn’t eat it, neither should your skin.
• Don’t wait! When you buy skincare products, preservatives or stabilizing agents are added. Because your home-made version is as natural as it gets, it’s prime is short-lived. Only make what you need and get straight to the pampering.
• Apply your face mask to a clean, dry face. This is always a good practice when receiving face care.
• Don’t forget to take it off. Most face masks should only stay on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Once your time’s up, wash off with warm (not hot) water and moisturize.
• All these easy home-made masks can be vegan. A few easy changes make these recipes accessible to all.
Ingredients and Their Properties
• Avocados are perfect on toast, but they’re also great at answering your skin’s hydration needs.
• Cocoa will make your mask smell lovely, is a source of antioxidants and calms irritation.
• Coconut oil is a great source of vitamin E and saturated fats which repairs, restores and moisturizes the skin.
• Coffee wakes up your skin, reduces inflammation and exfoliates.
• Egg whites create a tightening film when applied to the skin. While erasing pores is impossible, this ingredient is a great way to minimize their appearance. Aquafaba is the perfect vegan tightening replacement for egg whites.
• Honey has been used in skincare for centuries. It’s hydrating and is believed to be antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory. Honey can be replaced with maple syrup. Our homegrown and vegan alternative contains antioxidant properties and is believed to help fight wrinkles, redness, inflammation and dryness.
• Lemon Juice acts as a firming agent. Its vitamin C will brighten your skin.
• Milk is packed with lactic acid and vitamin B, which do wonders for the skin. Coconut and oat milk are the perfect vegan alternative to milk as they are equally hydrating and gentle on the skin.
• Oatmeal soaks up excess oil, helps treat acne, is anti-inflammatory and acts as a gentle exfoliator.
• Rosemary helps stimulate cell renewal.
• Yogurt contains lactic acid which helps smooth out bumpy skin texture. Just swap yogurt for the soy or coconut equivalent to veganize any recipe as both are still effective moisturizers.
The Recipes
Hydrating
• ¼ of an avocado
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
Mash your avocado, stir in the honey and cocoa, and you’re good to go!
Glowing
• A sprig or two of rosemary
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons of yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of honey
This one is a little more complicated. First, melt your coconut oil in a small saucepan. Add the rosemary to the oil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer the infused oil to a mixing bowl and let cool slightly. Before the oil solidifies, mix in the yogurt and the honey. Refrigerate for a few minutes until the mixture is cold to the touch and apply!
Firming
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• A squeeze of lemon juice
Mix all your ingredients, apply to the skin with a brush and, most importantly, don’t get any of this mask in your mouth!
Exfoliating
• 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal
• A dash of your preferred milk
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon of ground coffee
Start by blitzing some oats into coarse flour. If you would rather skip that step, you can cook the oats and let them cool before use. The texture will be different, but the benefits of oats will be there either way. Mix the coffee, cocoa and oatmeal with the milk to create a paste, smear it on and wait until it dries.
Our refrigerators are packed with the ingredients for a myriad of recipes. Hopefully, these four easy home-made face masks will tide you over until your next spa visit.
