While it’s nice to treat yourself to a day spa session every now and then, it can also be a little pricey. So, when the coffers are low, head to your kitchen: your DIY facial awaits!
What’s Good for Your Face?
You’ll be amazed to know that a huge range of everyday essentials can work wonders on your face. Here are just a few examples of some nutritious foods that will give you salon-quality results for just a few dollars…
- Avocados: Rich in essential fatty acids, avocados are pure heaven on dry, dehydrated skin. The soft green flesh of a ripe avocado also contains chlorophyll, a powerful detoxifier and anti-inflammatory agent. Vitamin E is another skin essential, helping to soften the skin and prevent wrinkles. The Vitamin E also helps to keep the face mask thick enough to stay on your skin. The wonderful thing about avocado is that it can be used as a mask all on its own.
- Bananas: Packed with natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes, bananas work with almost any ingredient as part of a face mask. They provide a solid, sticky texture that keeps the mask on the skin. Best of all, the skin-nourishing nutrients manganese, vitamin C, potassium, biotin and copper as well as enzymes help to exfoliate the skin. You’ll be left with clean, firm, bright face!
- Coffee grounds: Coffee not only wakes up your brain but your skin as well! The caffeine content helps to stimulate skin cells, boosting circulation required for cell renewal. It also aids the production of collagen and elastin, reducing fine lines and tightening pores. Coffee can even reduce puffiness and swelling. The result is a radiant glow!
- Honey: Sweet and nourishing, honey has been for centuries to treat topical ailments of all kinds. It’s a natural antibacterial, which makes it especially good for acne-prone skin. Its exfoliating powers mean it’ll also help to remove dead skin cells, as well as deeply moisturising the skin. To top it off, honey is the number one choice as a natural ‘glue’ in any face mask, holding the ingredients together and keeping them on your skin!
- Oatmeal: It’s not just for breakfast! Oatmeal makes a fantastic face mask both as paste on its own or as an exfoliating scrub with other ingredients. Oatmeal is a natural anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce redness and swelling. It’ll also slough away dead skin cells, revealing bright new skin.
- Yoghurt: Yoghurt is wonderfully soothing and easy to use on the skin. It’s long known to be a great natural moisturiser that helps to relieve irritations and set the stage for healing. Even better, it’s rich in lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid that’s highly coveted by product manufacturers for naturally exfoliating the skin.
For the perfect mask, always try to use organic ingredients! Unfortunately most products these days are laden with chemicals and preservatives that do more harm than good. The good news is you don't need to look too far, you'll find most of the ingredients right here at Healthy Being, the home of all things natural and organic!
How to Make Your Own Facial Mask
Grab yourself a mixing bowl and a spoon, and let’s make a mask!
- Choose a base for your mask. Avocado, yoghurt or oatmeal are all great as bases because they spread well and absorb other ingredients efficiently. Add to your bowl.
- Using a ratio of two-to-one, add other ingredients to the bowl.
- Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- With your fingers, apply the mask to your (washed) face. Be sure to spread evenly.
- Allow 15-30 minutes for the ingredients to do their work. Take this time to relax.
- Gently wash the mask off with warm water. Use a soft face flannel to remove any residue.
- Pat dry with a towel.
If you simply don't have the time, or patience to make your own face masks, don't stress! Healthy Being have you covered with their great range of natural face masks - you just can't go wrong!
...and remember, qualified nutritionists at Healthy Being are available to offer further general advice to help guide you in selecting the right products. So please, feel free to contact us at any time!