As the winter settles in, sometimes our skin can suffer from a whole host of problems making it look dull, lifeless and a little sallow. With the festive season on its way, add a little sparkle back into your skin with these four homemade recipes to a perfect complexion.
The Honey & Aspirin mask
Great for: Acne or blemish prone skin
What you’ll need:
2 uncoated dissolvable Aspirin tablets
1 teaspoon of natural honey
How to make:
– Dissolve two uncoated aspirin tablets in a few small drops of hot water in a small bowl (egg cups are great for this!)
– Add a teaspoon of natural honey to the dissolved aspirin and stir gently until the ingredients form a smooth paste
– Apply to cleansed, dry skin and leave for 10–15 minutes
– Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturise as usual
Why it works:
Honey has long been regarded as a miracle nectar due to its amazing healing properties. Natural honey such as Manuka has antibacterial properties that can help to fight bacteria and infections and soothe dry, irritated skin. Aspirin contains Salicylic acid – the same ingredient found in spot-fighting treatments. It helps to correct the abnormal desquamation (the skins natural process of sloughing away and replacing dead cells) and exfoliates the skin helping to effectively clear the follicle and keep pores clear of debris that can cause nasty breakouts and acne.
The Egg White, Cucumber and Lemon mask
Great for: Oily skin
What you’ll need:
1 egg white
1 teaspoon of cucumber juice
1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
How to make:
– Take the egg and separate the yolk from the white and pour the white into a small bowl
– Juice a fresh lemon and take one teaspoonful and add it to the egg whit
– Juice the cucumber and add one teaspoonful to the egg white and lemon, and mix together
– Apply to a cleansed, dry face and leave for 10-15 minutes
– Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturise as usual
Why it works:
Cucumber is fabulous for tightening larger pores – a characteristic of oily skin. It also helps to soothe and cool irritated skin. The lemon and egg white are great for reducing the size of pores and brightening your complexion to give you a healthy glow. Remember to use a mattifying oil-control lotion afterwards to keep oil at bay and skin looking fresh throughout the day.
The Avocado and Honey Mask
Great for: Dry and mature skin
How to make:
Half of a ripe avocado
2 teaspoons of natural honey
What to do:
– Mash half of the avocado in a small bowl until you have a soft pulp
– Take two teaspoons of natural honey and mix into the avocado
– Apply to a cleansed, dry face and leave for 10-15 minutes
– Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturise as usual
Why it works:
Avocados are absolutely amazing for deeply nourishing skin without irritation. Combined with the effective moisturisation and healing properties of natural honey, the face mask provides a soothing, deep treatment that will leave winter-worn skin feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable.
The Oats, Yogurt and Honey mask
Great for: Normal/combination skin
What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon of finely milled oats
1 tablespoon of natural yogurt
1 teaspoon of natural honey
How to make:
– Add one tablespoon of finely milled oats to one tablespoon of natural yogurt.
– Add a teaspoon of natural honey and mix all of the ingredients together.
– Apply to a cleansed, dry face and leave for 10-15 minutes
– Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturise as usual
Why it works:
Vitamins found in natural yogurt are great skin boosters, especially zinc that helps to control oil production. The oats sooth dry skin (and even treat acne) while the honey is antibacterial and soothes and softens the skin.
© This post is copyright of Rachael Divers 2014.
