Tips and Recipes For Natural Face Masks

As someone who occasionally uses face masks as a pamper day treat, I’ve never been entirely sure about their benefits, how often I should use them or which face mask to use. In this week’s expert blog post, Olivia sheds some light on these questions and also shares some brilliant DIY recipes that you can make at home!

Face masks are the perfect treat to revitalise your skin and can also help you unwind and relax. Masks can be used for a wide range of reasons; to draw dirt, oil and impurities away from the skin; soften blackheads; cleanse, soothe, soften, hydrate, balance, brighten, heal, revitalise and improve the colour tone and texture of your skin. However, with professional facials and a huge variety of masks on offer, it can be pretty confusing which one to choose.

Before choosing your mask, here are some common rules:

1. Make sure your face is well cleansed before applying

2. Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes

3. Extend the mask to your neck too

4. Rinse off with lots of tepid water and a soft cotton cloth

5. Follow with toner and moisturiser

FACE MASKS FOR EVERYONE

To make things easier, a simple, natural mask can be beneficial for all skin types.

Depending on your skin type you’ll need to apply face masks less or more regularly. If you have normal/combination skin, you’ll only need to apply a purifying mask once or twice a fortnight.; Oily skin would benefit from more frequent applications and dry or mature skin would benefit from a cleansing or nourishing mask at least once a week.

Here’s some you can make at home and we’ve included our more sophisticated ‘Frankincense and Palmarosa Face Mask‘ to really get you cleansed and ready!

Avocado and Banana Mask – for all skin types (makes one application)

Fresh banana has a moisturising and smoothing effect on your skin.  Here it is combined with vitamin and mineral-rich avocado, which has great skin-conditioning properties.  Mix it with moisturising honey to give your skin a deeply nourishing treatment.

Ingredients:

½ ripe avocado

½ ripe banana

1 tsp honey

1 tsp rose water

Method:

Put avocado and banana in a bowl and mash to make a paste.  Add honey and rose water to the paste, and mix well.  The paste should be thick enough to spread evenly.  Use immediately.

Application:

Apply mask to your freshly cleansed skin.  Leave it on for 10 minutes and remove with warm water.

Green Clay Purifying Mask – for all skin types (makes one application)

Green clay has a natural ability to absorb, which makes it a useful ingredient for cleansing and absorbing excess oil.  Used as the basis for a face mask, it helps to draw impurities from your skin.  In combination with nourishing glycerin and calming lavender, this mask cleanses and balances the skin.  It also has toning properties, which help to refine your pores and revitalise your complexion.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp powdered green clay

1 tbsp glycerin

1 tsp lavender floral water

Method:

Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix to a paste.  The paste should be thick enough to spread evenly.  If the mixture is too runny add more clay.  Use immediately or it may dry out.

Application:

Apply the mask to your freshly cleansed skin.  Leave on for 10 minutes, but do not allow to dry.  Remove with warm water.

FRANKINCENSE AND PALMAROSA FACEMASK

Clogged pores caused by makeup, oils and everyday life can cause whiteheads and blackheads. It’s therefore important to deeply cleanse these pores and refine them to keep your complexion balanced and healthy! Oleo’s ‘Frankincense and Palmarosa Facemask’ does just this by:

– Removing and cleansing impurities by using Kaolin Clay

– Restoring moisture levels with sweet almond and apricot oils

– Healing and hydrating with palmarosa essential oil

– Improving your skin’s tone and radiance with the regenerative properties of Frankincense

This mask can be used once a week, or more if you have particularly oily skin.