During the pandemic, at-home beauty treatments have gone from one option to another.For some (reluctant self-waxers), the transition was painful, but it also popularized DIY face masks—one of the most satisfying (and practical) skincare options around.
Whether you have access to a spa or salon, homemade face masks with simple ingredients will allow you to take care of yourself.Not only do you take the time to slather your face with glowing slime, but you also know where each ingredient comes from—the fridge or pantry, chosen by the person who knows your skin best: you.
However, it’s important to note that just because a mask is simple or has a “natural” label — or the Internet tells you to — doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe for your skin or that your face will love it.
“You probably won’t take pills casually until you review how they affect your body, so you should also use this rule of thumb with your skin,” says Mona Gohara, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Yale Dermatologist Teach medicine, tell yourself.”The wrong ingredients can quickly go downhill from your at-home beauty treatment.”
If you’re not sure about a specific ingredient, you should consult a dermatologist, says Dr. Gohara, but in general, she recommends avoiding DIY masks: lemon juice and apple cider vinegar (their high acidity can cause irritation and burning), Spices have a strong yellow color, such as turmeric (which can cause discoloration) and cinnamon (a well-known skin irritant).
As for the best DIY mask ingredients, there’s limited research on using refrigerator and pantry staples as skin care products, but the simple skin aides below are generally well tolerated, Ife Rodney, lead dermatologist at Eternal Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland, tells SELF :
Oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal (ground oats – you can buy or mix oatmeal until they become flour) can help improve dryness and lock in moisture.1 It also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to relieve itching and/or irritated skin.2
Avocado: It contains a high concentration of fats, which increase skin moisture, and vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage.3
Honey: A natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, honey can reduce redness and irritation.4 It has also been shown to help exfoliate and keep skin moisturised.5 Dr. Rodney notes that raw honey is preferred because it may contain more beneficial properties, including additional antioxidants.6
Green tea: It contains high concentrations of polyphenols, antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.7
Milk and yogurt: They contain lactic acid, an exfoliant known to have moisturizing properties, and a protein that calms inflamed skin, says Dr. Gohara.8 9
Regardless of the ingredients in your homemade mask, though, you should do a patch test first, because we all have unique skins that may respond differently to certain ingredients, says Dr. Rodney.Here’s how: Apply a small amount of the mask of your choice behind your ears, rinse off after 15 minutes, and wait 24 hours to see if there’s any redness or irritation.
Oh, and one last thing: don’t make a ton of DIY face masks to use later.”Once you’ve made a homemade mask, you need to use it right away,” says Dr. Rodney.”Not only does it start to lose its potency quickly when it’s exposed to air and light, but depending on the ingredients, it can also build up bacteria over time that can eventually clog pores and cause acne.” No. , which is not what we want.
Inspired to get creative in your cosmetic kitchen?We’ve rounded up nine dermatologist-approved DIY face mask recipes you can try at home—some from beauty brands and blogs; some straight from your doctor’s mouth.If you’re still in the Why I can buy it camp, don’t worry.We also give you options selected by Dr. Gohara and Dr. Rodney.
All products on SELF are independently selected by our editors.However, we may earn affiliate commissions when you purchase items through our retail links.
Want to get the potential beauty benefits of some of the above simple, dermatologist-approved mask ingredients without raiding your fridge or pantry?We also cover your face:
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.No information published on this website or this brand is intended to be a substitute for medical advice and you should not take any action without consulting a healthcare professional.
Post time: Mar-14-2022