Homemade Anti-Acne Face Mask

 

author: Emily Cordz

Acne is never fun. One great way to combat acne is with face masks. Store bought face masks can be expensive and full of artificial chemicals and preservatives that you don’t want absorbing into your skin. So what’s a person to do? Create your own homemade acne face masks! Many recipes are simple and use things you already have in your kitchen. Below are some basic recipes to get you started, but then feel free to create your own combination, experiment with different proportions and ingredients until you find your perfect anti-acne elixir.

Clay Based Acne Mask

Clay has been used for thousands of years to keep skin looking beautiful. The rich minerals content nourishes, detoxifies, and tones your skin. While the fine texture of the clay gently exfoliates your skin. As it pampers your skin, it draws out toxins and excess oils that are responsible for blemishes. This is the most basic clay recipe for treating acne. Feel free to spice it up with other ingredients once you know how it works on its own.
You’ll need:

• French Green Clay (this can be found at most natural food stores)
• Yogurt, or something to provide moisture

Mix a good dollop of yogurt and two or three big spoonfuls of clay. When it is thoroughly mixed, smooth over your freshly washed faced and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Egg Based Acne Mask

Egg has played a prominent role in homemade masks for acne for several years. It reduced the appearance of black heads and pores by tightening and cleansing the skin. It also has a gentle exfoliating effect while reducing the appearance of redness and inflammation. Some recipes call for the whole egg, others just the yolk or white. The recipe below calls for the whole egg, but you can test to see if you prefer using just part of the egg as well.
You’ll need:

• One egg

Beat the egg until slightly frothy. Take a cotton pad, paint brush or your fingers and paint the concoction on your freshly washed face. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Fruit Based Acne Mask

 

Fruit based face masks are great at combating acne. You use the fruit as a puree which can be used alone or with a combination of other ingredients. One popular anti-acne face mask is made with banana puree. Banana clears pore and balances oily skin.
You’ll need:

• One ripe banana
• Honey

Mash the banana in a bowl with a fork, or blend in a blender until relatively smooth. Mix in a bit of honey and apply on your freshly washed face. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Other Ingredients

The major benefit is homemade acne face masks is that you are able to create a face mask to suit your particular skin care needs. Some acne fighting face masks work great for one person, but cause another person to break out more. Below are some common face mask ingredients that you might want to mix into the above recipes, or use to create your own recipe.
Blueberry puree

• High in anti-oxidants, blueberry is wonderful at healing and soothing skin

Honey 

• Honey is antibacterial, moisturizing and gently exfoliating. It can be added to any face mask recipe and is great for all skin types.

Oatmeal

• Ground oatmeal absorbs excess oils and is gently exfoliating

Tea Tree Oil

• Fights bacteria in acne and balances skin tone

Strawberry puree

• Strawberries naturally contain salicylic acid which is used in most acne treatments. It stops dead skin cells from clogging pores.

Lemon

• The acid in citrus kills infection and dries out pimples. It also lightens acne scars

Yogurt

• Good for all skin types as it moisturizes and soothes skin

Cucumber puree

• Excellent for oily skin by balancing oil production

Additional Tips

When fighting acne don’t deprive your skin of moisture. Moisturizing with a light or non-comedogenic, won’t clog pores, product will help keep your skin healthy and acne free. After your face mask treatment apply a bit of alcohol-free rosewater with witch hazel or a very small amount of almond oil.
Open your pores before applying your face mask for deeper pore cleansing. You can do this with either a warm wash cloth draped over your face or steaming your face over a bowl of hot water. After you have washed off your face mask, close your pores by splashing cold water on your face.
Often a few days after a mask treatment, you’ll notice more breakouts. Never fear. Often face masks will cause an increase in breakouts for a few days as it clears the impurities out of your skin. If you are still seeing an increase in break outs after a week or so, try a different recipe.
Then next time acne is threatening, don’t worry. Just head to your kitchen and whip up an acne face mask.

This article on how to make an acne face mask at home has been written by expert author ‘Emily Cordz‘.


credits to: www.outofstress.com with added pictures from any sites