Instead of going to an expensive spa, people can use kitchen ingredients to make a soothing facial mask at home. Dermatologist Susan Taylor, M.D., says a facial can improve the health of the skin and give you a mental boost.
Taylor recommends doing some research online or checking out self-care books for recommendations on making at-home facial masks. It’s important to know your skin type to mix the right combination of ingredients.
For dry skin, one of her favorite recipes uses a combination of honey (to soften the skin) and olive oil (to moisturize).
For oily skin, she likes egg whites (because they contain albumen, a protein that absorbs oil). Add the egg whites to oatmeal or cornmeal to give the mask some substance.
To exfoliate the skin, add salt or sugar to the recipe. The fine crystals in these ingredients help remove some of the dead skin.
For puffy eyes, Taylor likes using slices of cucumbers. The acids in the cucumbers have an anti-inflammatory effect, so they decrease eye puffiness.
Cold tea bags also work well for puffy eyes.
Once the ingredients are whipped together, apply them to the skin. Allow the mask to remain in place for ten to fifteen minutes. Then, gently rinse it off with warm water. Pat dry the face. If you have a tendency toward dry skin, apply a moisturizer to seal in the moisture.
Taylor says fruits are great ingredients to add to a homemade face mask. Grapes, strawberries and bananas are rich in antioxidants and may help fight aging skin. Taylor cautions against using lemon juice or lime juice in a facial mask, especially in the summer. Adding these citrus juices to an at-home mask may cause a rash when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
For general information on skin care visit the American Academy of Dermatology's webiste at www.aad.org.
All the information in this story on home facials comes from MedStar Source.
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