Let’s be real ladies, breakouts happen every now and then, either because your hormones are acting up or very simply because your face decided to produce a little too much oil. A case of acne is a situation where these breakouts become bacteria-fueled inflammations and make the skin itchy and highly irritable. In fact, there are a lot of contributing factors in play when it comes to acne. Although the most basic cause seems to be oil and clogged pores, the reasons for excessive oil production here can range anywhere from hormones to small infections.
Severe acne may require attention or prescribed medications to go away completely but there is always something you can do on your end to help your skin heal faster. Fortunately, DIY face masks for acne can more often than not, be whipped from the contents of your refrigerator and from the comfort of your home.
That’s why we’re sharing this list of our favorite DIY face masks that are bursting with beauty-boosting antioxidants and vitamins to help soothe your skin this season and beyond.
Left-Over Oatmeal, No Sugar.
You might not have heard this before now, but oats contain an impressive array of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Oatmeal is one of the cheapest DIY face masks for acne ingredients because it’s also a major multitasker: it cleanses, moisturizes, and gently exfoliates your skin! Oats are highly absorbent and they help in extracting any oil or dirt blocking your pores.
How To Prepare
To prepare this DIY face mask, boil oats with water, as you normally would for a healthy breakfast option. You really can’t go wrong when using oatmeal for skin issues, but adding a few drops of tea tree oil is great for compound results. Allow the mixture to cool completely before applying it to the skin for a soothing mask session. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse away.
You could also just cook together 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/3 cup of oatmeal. Remove from the heat when ready and set aside to cool. When cold, mix in 1 tablespoon of plain yoghurt, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, and an egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face and wash it off about 15 minutes later. Then come thank us when your acne begins to clear.
Blend Aloe Vera And Turmeric Or Green Tea
The mixture of Aloe Vera and turmeric or green tea is a great DIY face mask for acne for so many reasons. Aloe is a natural calming ingredient, and so it can prove most helpful if the acne is very inflamed because it helps calm the skin. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation in the skin. And green tea, courtesy of its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces irritation, redness, and swelling of the skin. Mixing Aloe Vera with powerful ingredients like powdered turmeric or green tea helps immensely with oil control on all skin. Because aloe vera gel is sticky, a little often goes a long way.
How To Prepare
Mix in half a teaspoon of turmeric and the contents of a green tea bag from your cabinet. Apply to your face and leave on for about 15-20 minutes before rinsing out.
You could also just simply mix together 1/2 teaspoon turmeric with one tablespoon of honey, apply it on your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Mixing turmeric with honey will help soothe inflamed skin and prevent future breakouts because honey is amongst other things, naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial.
Yoghurt And Egg White Mask
The third DIY face mask for acne on our list is the yoghurt and egg white mask. You may not have heard this before, but yoghurt is really good for your skin. It is a natural exfoliator. It contains AHA lactic acid and this helps in dissolving the dead skin, dirt, or bacteria that are clogging your pores. Yoghurt also hydrates and soothes the skin, leaving you with a natural dewy glow.
The egg whites on their own end will tone your skin, tighten your pores and even out your skin tone. It doesn’t get any better than the combination of these two ingredients.
How To Prepare
For this DIY face mask, you would need one egg white, and two tablespoons of simple Greek yoghurt. Whisk the egg whites slightly, and then mix in the yoghurt. Apply the mask to your face using a brush or your fingers. Leave the mixture on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. You can do this every other day.
Nutmeg, Milk and Honey
I saved the best for last. Even though this DIY face mask for acne only takes about 10 minutes, the difference it makes is literally impossible to miss.
Now for a little background info, nutmeg has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and works to reduce swelling, decongest clogged pores, and balance oil control. Honey is also really healing and super nourishing for the skin; while dairy milk contains lactic acid which works to gently exfoliate the top layers of your skin, remove oil-soluble impurities, and help fade acne scars.
How To Prepare
For this DIY face mask for acne, you would need one tablespoon of honey; one tablespoon of nutmeg; and 2/3 teaspoons of cow’s milk. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, then apply to your face using a brush; continue to layer the mask until it’s all gone. Leave it on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently wash away with warm water. You can repeat any of these masks a couple of times in a week, and your skin will steadily improve as you go.
At the end of the day, we all love splurging on pre-packaged expensive skin products but sometimes all you really need is a simple two or three-ingredient DIY face mask for acne to soothe your skin. Asides from the simplicity of these recipes, you would also be applying the ingredients in their rawest form. Not only does this mean that your face mask is chemical-free, it also means that the regimen is a whole lot cheaper than the factory-made ones. And that’s what I call a win-win situation.