Face masks are the fast pass to a clearer, more radiant complexion.
By Cristina Mueller, Redbook
[post_ads]A mask is one of the fastest ways to get a healthy glow because it delivers a potent dose of ingredients into your skin," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. You can apply a mask as often as once a week, but whether you whip up your own at home or buy one at the store, make sure to wipe off any makeup and gently exfoliate your skin first, which makes it easier for the ingredients to sink in. (The old advice about steaming your face? Experts say it's just not necessary.)
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For Moisture
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For Moisture
In a bowl, stir together 1 Tbsp honey, 5 Tbsp dry oatmeal (blended into a powder using a food processor), and 2 Tbsp plain yogurt. Spread the mix on your face, avoiding your eye area, and leave it on for 20 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, combine the dry oatmeal powder with ½ Tbsp almond oil, juice from half a lemon, and 1 egg white instead.
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Prefer to have someone else do the work for you? Try Origins Drink Up mask ($23; sephora.com) or, for sensitive skin, Ole Henriksen Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask ($32; sephora.com), which has anti-inflammatory lavender.
For a Deep Clean
[post_ads]Coat it with ingredients that draw out impurities and unclog pores. Facialist Joanna Vargas, founder of Joanna Vargas Salon in New York City (Rachel Weisz is a client), swears by this D.I.Y. formula: Mix together ¼ cup mashed-up strawberries, 3 Tbsp plain yogurt, and 1 Tbsp rice flour or any nut that's been ground into a fine powder. Smooth the paste on your skin, avoiding your eyes, and chill out for 20 minutes. If you don't feel like playing Top Beauty Chef, go with a clay facial mask such as Freeman's Mint & Lemon Facial Clay Mask, $3.99; ulta.com, or one that contains tea tree oil, like the Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask, $15; amazon.com.RELATED: The 5 Best Face Masks for Every Budget
For Smoother Skin
Negin Niknejad, a former actress-turned-facialist based in New York City, offers hour-long facials can cost up to $185, but she's giving away one of her favorites for free and it'll only take you one ingredient to replicate.
Niknejad loves avocado masks — so much so that she created a 30-Day Avocado Challenge around them on Instagram. To apply the mask, simply discard any brown avocado and scrape off the creamy substance to apply right to your skin. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water using a sea sponge. According to Niknejad, it only takes a few days to start seeing silky, smooth skin with decreased redness and inflammation.
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Want to take things a step further? Massage the avocado into your skin, which Niknejad says is "good for penetration, circulation, and lifting."
To Brighten Skin
Believe it or not, you only need 3 ingredients for a brightening face mask: pumpkin, honey, and lemon. Ali Ebright, the blogger behind the always-delicious recipes on Gimme Some Oven, also has a trick up her sleeve when it comes to homemade beauty treatments.
"I'm a total fan of [this mask], and love how refreshed and soft and glowy it makes my skin look afterward," Ebright writes. "And as a baker, of course, I've gotta say that I love all of that sweet pumpkin-y flavor."
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By whisking together 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon of raw honey, and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, you'll create a mask that not only helps deal with acne and aging, but also evens out skin tone and lightens any scars and age spots. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, avoiding your eyes, then rinse for a refreshed, bright look.
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To Soothe Irritated Skin
Summer is still months away, but this easy DIY mask from Lauren Conrad's team will make you feel like you're on the beach. Perfect for soothing skin and beyond, this mix of coconut, honey, green tea, and lemons moisturizes and exfoliates at the same time.
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To create the mask, mix together 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon green tea leaves (or half a tea bag), and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice with a fork or whisk. Apply evenly to your face and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. After rinsing with warm water, any dry skin will get a must-needed boost.
For Glowy Skin
You'll need 2 teaspoons honey to purify and hydrate skin, 2 teaspoons turmeric, which helps with redness, and 1 teaspoon coconut milk. Mix ingredients in a small bowl, then apply to both your face and neck with a bristle brush or your fingers. Leave for 5 minutes before rinsing.
For an added bonus, Diaz says you can eat this mixture on bread — so you'll know exactly what to do with any leftovers.
