How to Make Natural Face Masks from Food in Your Kitchen

We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us. They give us so many vitamins and minerals that are good for maintaining a healthy body. Some of these plants that we eat are also great for our skin! Since our skin readily absorbs what we put on it, it’s a great idea to replace our chemical-laden products with natural ones. So I’m going to show you how to make natural face masks from food in your kitchen!

All of my recipes are easy and quick. Who has time for making complicated skin-care products?! That’s why we so often turn to buy something from the store. But many of the chemicals in the store-bought products are actually harmful to our bodies. Remember that what you put on your skin doesn’t just sit on top. Most of those chemicals are soaked in and transported to the liver which then has to work to clean them out of our blood. The more chemicals we use on our bodies, the harder the liver has to work. And since you are trying to steer clear of chemicals applied to your skin, use organic fruits and vegetables for the recipes below whenever possible.

 

 

 

 

Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something. Opinions about the products are fully my own.

Easy DIY natural face masks

 

 

Apricot Face Mask for Dry Skin

This mask is a great moisturizer for dry skin. It can be made with either fresh apricots or dried apricots. Mash or pulverize in your high-speed blender or food processor. Warm some olive oil, avocado oil or jojoba oil and blend in until your desired consistency. I really like NOW Solutions, Organic Jojoba Oil, Moisturizing Multi-Purpose Oil for Face, Hair and Body, 8-Ounce and 4 oz Premium Avocado Oil Extra Vigin Raw Unrefined Organic Cold Pressed. You want it thick enough to stay on your face and not run off. There are no measurements. It depends on whether you use fresh or dried apricots.  Apricots provide protein and vitamins that are great for the skin. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and wipe off. I recommend making just how much you will use in a day or two as it may spoil quickly. You could keep it in the frig for up to three days.

Moisturizing Avocado Face Mask

As I write this, it’s mid-February in Virginia and we are starting to get those perfect Haas avocados on sale for 39 cents at Aldi. I figure it’s avocado season somewhere nearby! We eat our fill of avocados when they are that cheap, and another great use for them is to make an avocado face mask. Avocado has so much wonderful healthy fat that you don’t need to add any oil to the mix. Just mash up a whole avocado and warm it briefly over a double boiler. (Don’t have a double boiler? Just fill a small saucepan half-filled with water. Find a heat resistant bowl that will fit on top without falling in and place it on top. Voila! A double boiler!) Spread this on your face and leave on for 20-30 minutes. It will start turning brown during that time but don’t worry, it won’t hurt anything. If you’re making it ahead–say for a girls’ night in–you will want to add 10-15 drops of lemon or lime juice to keep the green color longer.

 

 

Moisturizing Banana Face Mask

Okay. You can’t get easier than a banana face mask. Mash up a ripe banana and smear it on your face. For extra moisturizing, add some olive oil or avocado oil. A few drops of lemon or lime juice will keep the banana from turning brown but isn’t really necessary. Leave on your face for 20-30 minutes and then wipe off. Use a mild skin toner to remove the banana residue afterward.

Why is banana good for your skin? When put directly on your skin as a face mask, banana works as an exfoliant, essentially gently scrubbing your skin clean. Bananas also have a high level of antioxidants which help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Not to mention that bananas have inflammatory vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, manganese and zinc.

Cucumber Facial for Puffy or Discolored Skin

We all see those pictures in ads of women with face masks and cucumbers on their eyes. Because cucumber is astringent but also mild, it is great for getting puffiness out of our faces and is even safe to use around the eyes. Cucumber is also cleansing and mildly bleaching for freckles and skin discolorations. It is cooling and soothing for sunburned skin or rough skin.

While you could juice the cucumber and pat it onto your face, it really isn’t necessary. You can take cucumber slices and rub them on your face. You could also place the slices on your face or eyes and lay very still for 10-15 minutes so they don’t fall off. Ha. You could even use the inside of the cucumber peel. Waste not, want not! 🙂

 

 

Warm Oil Facial for Dry Skin

A warm oil facial is a wonderful deep moisturizer for dry skin. My favorite oils to use are avocado and jojoba, (See my links above for my favorites.) but you really can use what is in your pantry. My next choices would be olive oil or coconut oil. Remember that this oil will be absorbed into your skin, so you want the best quality that you have. Not only will the oil soak into your skin to help moisturize it, but by absorbing the oil it stimulates your skin to produce its own oil supply. Simply warm your oil in a double boiler or even for just a few seconds in the microwave. BE CAREFUL! Don’t get your oil hot or it will burn and could even blister your skin! Warming it slowly over a double boiler is the safest way, checking it every minute or so to get it to body temperature or a little warmer.

For the best results from your warm or hot oil facial, cleanse your face first with a gentle cleanser. Next, steam your face. This is easy to do by just running a clean washcloth in hot water from your tap. Put the hot washcloth over your face for 3-5 minutes to help open up your pores. Next, gently rub the warm oil over your face and throat. Rewarm the washcloth in the hot tap water and wring it out. Lie down and place the warm, wet washcloth on your face for 10 minutes. With another clean, damp washcloth, remove the oil from your face. Use witch hazel or another gentle skin toner with a cotton ball to remove any extra oil.

 

 

Oatmeal Facial Mask for Sensitive Skin

Oatmeal is great for all types of skin–even sensitive skin. It is soothing, softening and moisturizing without being oily. A great way to use it is to take dry rolled or instant oatmeal and add enough water to it to make a paste. Lightly scrub your face your whole face and neck–but of course, not around your eyes. Leave the oatmeal on your face for 10-15 minutes and rinse off. Follow with witch hazel or gentle toner.

 

 

Yogurt Skin Mask

The lactic acid and probiotics in yogurt are wonderful for your skin. Lactic acid is a type of alpha-lipoic acid that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, much like those formulas in the skincare aisle do. It also contains natural antibacterial and antifungal properties which cleanse your skin and helps keep those acne breakouts at bay.

Yogurt can also take the sting out of a sunburn and can help lessen discoloration in blotchy or freckled skin. To boost the lightening effect, add a little lemon juice to your yogurt before applying it to your face. For a perfect sunburn healer, mix half plain yogurt and half apple cider vinegar. Apply to your skin a couple of times a day and you will find quick relief. To make your yogurt facemask even more moisturizing, add a little olive oil or avocado oil before applying. Leave on for 30 minutes and wash off.

 

 

Other Ingredients from Your Kitchen that Make Interesting Facemasks

Just mix and apply to your face like the other face masks mentioned here.

Crushed tomatoes for a natural blackhead remover.

Crushed strawberries face mask for oily skin. 

Mayonaise face mask to remove wrinkles and soften skin.

Egg White Face mask to tone your skin

 

 

Perfect Food Blends for Every Skin Type – Natural Face Masks from Food in Your Kitchen:

Avocado Yogurt Face Mask Blend for Normal to Dry Skin

A great all-purpose face mask formula for normal to dry skin is 1/2 avocado, 2 Tablespoons yogurt, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, plus 1 Tablespoon honey. Blend and use right away. This makes a lot so you will have some for your neck and chest. Or reduce the quantities to make just enough for your face. Leave on your face for 20-30 minutes.

Chocolate Yogurt Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

This yummy chocolate facemask for sensitive skin sounds good enough to eat. Mix 1 Tablespoon Yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon powdered cocoa and apply to the face. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.

 

 

Cooling Cucumber Mint Face Mask for Oily Skin

This cucumber, egg white, mint blend is a great cleansing and cooling facemask for oily skin. Blend together in a high-speed blender: 1/2 cucumber, peeled, 1 egg white, a teaspoon lemon juice, and 1-2 Tablespoons of fresh chopped mint. Leave on your skin for 20-30 minutes.

I hope you find a face mask or two from this list that you love! Let me know in the comments which one you like or if you have other recipes for natural face masks from food in your kitchen.

You may also like my article, How to Make Natural Skin Tonersand The Best Natural Deodorant for Women.