Wholefood Face Masks for Glowing Autumn Skin
The Australia Times - May 14, 2016
As we enter a new season and the weather starts to change, so does our skin. The cold chill of these coming cooler months coupled with the drying nature of heaters rakes havoc on our faces — our skin gets drier, dehydrated and easily irritated. Combat the chill and nourish and protect your skin with homemade face masks using basic natural ingredients you can find at home. Your skin will love you for it. Here are some of my personal favourites.
Moisturising Avocado Mask Avocados are packed with antioxidants and vitamins which adds hydration and moisture to your skin, which is great for dry and irritated skin in the winter. Mash one avocado with a fork and add a small amount of olive oil (great for hydration and anti-aging) and mix until smooth and creamy before applying on your face. Add aloe vera if you are looking for some extra hydration. Rinse after 15 minutes and pat dry to reveal soft and supple skin. I find it best to follow with a rich natural moisturiser such as Aveeno Daily Sheer Hydration lotion for glowing skin for the rest of the day.
Lemon and Strawberry Mask If your skin suffers from redness during winter, this mask is great for calming and rejuvenating your face. Blend together a cup of strawberries, two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of raw honey until smooth. Strawberries contain salicylic acid which helps prevent breakouts while honey has antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties making this the perfect mask for acne prone skin. Apply to your face for 15 minutes before washing off.
Honey and Banana Mask For soft and radiant skin, this mask is a must! Mix one mashed banana with one teaspoon of raw honey and leave on your skin for up to 30 minutes. This mask will give you a surplus of vitamins to hydrate, soften and brighten the skin. Hint: If you want to add some gentle exfoliation, add a tablespoon of baking soda for a more powerful facial. This is a great option for when your skin is needing a winter pick me up!
Oatmeal Mask This mask is brilliant for healing skin beaten by the cold winds with ingredients that will continue to protect against the elements. Blend the raw oats in until reduced to a powder then mix together equal proportions of egg yolk, natural yoghurt and raw honey until combined and apply to your face. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Oatmeal is a great for exfoliation so your skin should feel soft and refreshed after application. Apply this mask twice a week for extra hydration.
Egg White Mask Best for oily or combination skins, this mask will help tighten your skin and close up your pores making it feel refreshed. Beat an egg white until relatively frothy and apply on your face. Relax for about 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. This will leave your skin feeling tighter and protected from the cold weather. If you have dry skin your face may feel uncomfortable as the mask works on closing your pores.
Yoghurt Mask
If your skin is feeling tired and dull, this mask is a simple and effective cure to brighten and tone your face. Apply natural yoghurt (or buttermilk) on your face and relax for 15 minutes. Not only will your skin feel soft and rejuvenated, but the yoghurt helps to restore a natural pH balance which protects your skin from the cool air.
Hint: Add in almond oil or pureed almonds. Almonds are full of nutrients such as vitamin E and magnesium which are nourishing for your skin and well as your insides.
Chocolate and Banana Mask Indulge your skin and treat it to this delicious smelling mix to help soften, hydrate and cleanse your face for an ultimate glow in the winter weather. Mix together one banana with one teaspoon of raw honey and one quarter teaspoon of organic cocoa powder until combined. Apply to damp skin and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, while banana contains vitamins to hydrate and the honey cleans and softens the skin making this a complete luxury treatment for your skin.
While you try out these masks and let the natural ingredients work their magic, put a couple of chilled cucumber slices over your eyelids to sooth and reduce puffiness under the eyes. Before trying these masks, please be aware of how your skin will react to some natural ingredients. As with any beauty product, do a patch test on the inside of your arm. If your skin becomes red or irritated, avoid putting it on your face.