Give Yourself a Food Facial

Facials are wonderful for the skin, but they can be expensive, especially if you go to a spa or buy one in a jar. They don't have to be expensive, however; you don't even have to leave your home. With just a few ingredients from your fridge or kitchen cabinet, you could end up with a wonderful facial mask or scrub.

Steps

Making Basic Facials

1. Choose a facial that appeals the most to you. You do not have to do all of the facials listed in this section; in fact, it would not be recommended that you do all of them, especially in one day. Instead, choose one that appeals the most to you, or that you already have the ingredients for. The recipes in this section are suitable for all skin types.
2. Use plain, old honey for all-around goodness. Wash your face with warm water first, then apply some honey, taking care to avoid the area around the eyes. Wait 15 minutes, then rinse the honey off with warm water. If you need to, use a washcloth to get any excess honey off.
   • Honey is great for all skin types. It is moisturizing, making it ideal for dry skin. It is also antimicrobial, making it perfect for those with acne.
   • If you have long hair, keep it tied back so that it doesn't get sticky.
3. Try plain, full-fat yogurt if you'd like something more exfoliating. Wash your face first, then spread some plain yogurt all over it, taking care to avoid the areas around the eyes. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then wash the yogurt off with warm water. Pat your face dry, and apply some toner and moisturizer, if needed.
   • Yogurt is great for all skin types. It's full of protein and enzymes, making it a great, natural moisturizer. The lactic acid in it also makes it naturally (but gently) exfoliating.
   • Yogurt may also help brighten up your skin and clear up blemishes. This usually takes a few treatments, however.
   • Fat-free and 2% yogurt may still work, but they won't be as effective as full-fat yogurt.
4. Give your eyes a treat with chamomile tea. Place two bags of chamomile tea into a mug, and fill the mug with hot water. Wait for the water to cool, then take the bags out, and squeeze the excess water out of them. Lay down, close your eyes, and place the tea bags over your eyelids. Cover your eyes with a washcloth and relax for 15 minutes before taking the tea bags off.
   • Alternatively, you can also use fresh cucumber slices instead. Simply lay down, and place a cold cucumber slice over each eyelid, and relax for 15 minutes. You don't have to heat them or use a washcloth.
5. Try a simple strawberry face mask to brighten up your complexion. Mash 5 strawberries with a fork in a small bowl, then stir in 2 teaspoons of honey and ½ tablespoon of plain yogurt or heavy cream. Spread the mask over a clean face, taking care to avoid the area around the eyes. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then wash the mask off. Follow up with some toner and moisturizer, if desired.
   • Use plain yogurt (preferably full-fat) if you have oily skin.
   • Use heavy cream if you have dry skin.
   • Strawberries naturally exfoliating, making them ideal for those who have dry, dull, or even acne-prone skin.
6. Try a deluxe strawberry face mask for something more luxurious. Mush together 8 to 9 strawberries with a fork in a small bowl. Stir in {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey. For something more moisturizing, stir in {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of oil. For something to combat oiliness, stir in up to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Apply the mask to a clean face, taking care to avoid the eye area. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it off with warm water. Pat your face dry, then follow up with some toner and moisturizer, if desired.
   • You can use just about any type of food-grade oil, such as: grapeseed, jojoba, olive, or sweet almond.
   • If you have dry skin and acne, you can add up to 8 drops of lemon juice. It will be enough to help manage those pimples but not so much as to dry out your skin.
7. Give ground tumeric a try. Tumeric is not only tasty in food, but it is also great on your skin! In a small bowl, mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of milk (or yogurt if you have acne) and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of flour (or ground oats if you have dry skin). Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground tumeric and a few drops of honey. Spread the mask over your face, avoiding the eye area, and wait 20 minutes. Wash the mask off using a washcloth and small, circular motions. Finish off with some toner and moisturizer.
   • Tumeric great for slowing down aging and reducing wrinkles.
   • Tumeric is gently exfoliating and may help even out skin tone and reduce blemishes.
   • Tumeric helps with various skin conditions, such as: acne: dryness, eczema, and psoriasis.
   • Tumeric may stain the skin, especially if you use too much, but it should come off in the shower. If you need to, use some face wash.
8. Try a cooling aloe vera scrub. Cut open 2 green tea bags, and dump the tea into a small bowl. Next, stir in ⅓ cup (75 grams) of coconut oil, ¼ cup (55 grams) of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Gently massage the scrub onto your face, avoiding the area around the eyes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Splash your face afterwards with cool water the seal your pores, then pat your face dry with a clean towel. Store any leftover scrub in a glass jar in the fridge.
   • For extra moisture, add 3 to 4 drops of vitamin E oil.
   • If you have bad acne, add 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil.
   • If you have sensitive skin, use brown sugar. The grains are smaller, and thus gentler.
   • This scrub is great for all skin types. It is moisturizing, which makes it suitable for dry skin, and packed full of antioxidants, which makes it suitable for acne. Although aloe vera is good for sunburns, do not use this scrub on sunburned skin; the sugar will irritate it.

Making Facials for Acne or Oily Skin

1. Choose a facial from the list below that best suits your needs. All of the facials below are suitable for oily skin; some of them may also help clear up acne. Do not try all of the masks all in one day, however; it will be too much for your skin. Instead, choose a mask that appeals the most to you, and start with that one.
2. Try a cinnamon and nutmeg mask if you have oily skin. Mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg. Spread the mask over your face, taking care to avoid the eye area, and wait 20 minutes. Wash the mask off using warm water and a washcloth.
   • If you have sensitive skin, try the mask on your inner elbow first, or don't leave it on for as long.
3. Try a cooling cucumber mask if you have oily or inflamed skin. In a food processor or blender, combine ½ of a cucumber with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey. Spread the mask all over your face, and wait 20 minutes. Wash the mask off using warm water and a washcloth.
   • For an even more effective mask, add 1 teaspoon of bentonite or kaoline clay.
4. Try a lemon-based mask to zap blackheads and acne. Lean your face over a bowl of hot, steamy water for a few minutes to help open up your pores. Then, mix together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey and the juice from half of a lemon. Spread the mixture over your face, taking extra care to avoid the eye area. Wait 15 to 30 minutes, then wash the mask off with warm water. Finish off by splashing your face with cool water and applying some moisturizer, if needed.
   • Lemon is great for reducing blackheads and acne. It may also help even out skin tone.
   • Honey helps fight acne because it is naturally antibacterial.
   • Lemon juice can be harsh. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Try an oatmeal mask if you need something more soothing. In a small bowl, stir together {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of ground oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Gently massage the mask onto your face using circular motions, then leave it there for 15 minutes. Wash the mask off using warm water, then splash your face with cool water to help close the pores. If you need to, follow up with some moisturizer.
   • Yogurt helps fight acne because it contains probiotic enzymes.
   • Honey helps fight acne because of its antimicrobial properties.
   • Oatmeal is great for oily skin because it helps absorb excess oils. It can also help sooth irritated skin.
   • You can use this mask as a scrub instead! Simple massage it onto your face for a few minutes, then rinse it off.
6. Try a cinnamon scrub if you have acne. In a small bowl, combine {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of ground cinnamon with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of sugar, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Pierce a vitamin E capsule with a pin, and squeeze the oil into the bowl. Stir everything together, then gently massage the scrub onto your face, taking care to avoid the eye area. Rinse the mask off with warm water, then splash your face with cool water to seal your pores. Gently pat your face dry when you are done, and store any leftover mask in a glass jar.
   • Cinnamon has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it helpful when treating acne.
   • Do not use this mask if you have sensitive skin. Cinnamon tends to irritate skin.
   • Cinnamon helps increase blood flow, so it will give your skin a healthy, rosey glow.
   • If you can't find any vitamin E oil capsules, you can add a few drops of bottled vitamin E oil instead—or skip it altogether.

Making Facials for Dry or Sensitive Skin

1. Choose a facial from the list below that best suits your needs. All of the facials below are suitable for dry or sensitive skin; the two usually go hand-in-hand. Do not use all of the masks all in one day, however; they will be too much for your skin. Instead, choose a mask that you like the most.
2. Make a banana face mask if you have dry skin. Using a fork, mash together 1 banana and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey. Spread the mask over a clean face, and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Wash the mask off with warm water.
3. Try an avocado mask if you have dry skin. Using a fork, mash together ½ of an avocado and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey. Spread the mask over a clean face, and wait 20 minutes. Wash the mask off with warm after when you are done.
   • For a deluxe version of the mask, add {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of plain yogurt and ½ tablespoon of olive oil. The yogurt will help exfoliate and brighten your skin, while the oil will help moisturize it further.
4. Make a soothing cocoa-yogurt mask if you have sensitive skin. In a small bowl, combine {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of yogurt, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder. Spread the mask over your face.
   • Yogurt is naturally cooling, so it will feel gentle against your skin.
   • Honey is moisturizing, so it will help add moisture back into your skin.
   • Cocoa powder helps calm irritations, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
5. Try a honey-oatmeal mask if you have dry or sensitive skin. In a small bowl, combine {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of oatmeal with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of honey. Spread the mixture over your face using circular motions. Wait 30 minutes, then wash the mask with warm water.
   • Oatmeal is naturally soothing. It is also gently exfoliating, making it suitable for dry, sensitive skin.
   • Honey is a humectant, so it helps draw moisture back into your skin.
   • You can also use this mask as a scrub instead. Simply massage it onto your face for a few minutes, then rinse it off.
6. Try a baking soda scrub if you have sensitive skin. In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup (60 grams) of baking soda with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of coconut oil. If the scrub is still too thin, add a little bit more baking soda. Next, gently massage about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the scrub onto your face, taking care to avoid the area around the eyes. Rinse the scrub off with warm water, then splash your face afterwards with cool water. Pat your face dry with a clean towel, and store any leftover scrub in a glass jar.
   • For fragrance, add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil; make sure that it is skin-safe first, however!
   • If you tend to get breakouts, add 5 drops of tea tree oil. It is a natural astringent.
   • This scrub is also suitable for dry skin due to the coconut oil.

Tips

• Store any leftover face mask or face scrub in a glass jar. Keep the jar in the fridge, and use the mask or scrub within one week.
• Cinnamon-based facials are harsh, and should not be used more than once a week. If you have sensitive skin, it would be best to avoid them altogether.
• Relax when waiting for the face masks to do their work. Lay down some place comfortable, turn on some music, and close your eyes.
• Scrubs make great gifts! Face masks are not recommended, however, because they are perishable and must be kept in the fridge.

Warnings

• If the mask contains lemon juice, avoid stepping out into the sun immediately afterwards. Citrus makes your skin extra-sensitive to sunlight, and you could end up with a very bad sunburn.
• Be realistic. There is no such thing is a magical face mask or face scrub that vanishes all traces of acne, oiliness, or dryness. These facials may help, but they won't make things like acne go away, especially after one use.
• Some facials may need to be used several times before you start seeing any results. Most masks can be used once or twice a week.

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• Make a Basic Homemade Facial Scrub
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Sources and Citations

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• Do a Facial at Home
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• Make a Natural Large Pore Treatment
• Make a Skin Toner
• Give Someone a Facial
• Make an Egg Facial Mask
• Make a Basic Homemade Facial Scrub
• Make All Natural Face Masks

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