15 DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type and Concern
Getty/Klaus Vedfelt
Dealing with uncooperative skin can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Whether dry, chapped skin or oily, acne-prone skin, you might be losing hope if you’ve already tried expensive moisturizing creams and serums with no relief. But sometimes, a good homemade face mask is the detox you need to get your skin back to its healthy state.
Ingredients such as avocado, honey, milk, and brown sugar are all ideal for dry skin, while aloe vera, honey, and oatmeal are better geared towards oily, sensitive types. Keep reading for 15 homemade face mask recipes featuring key ingredients straight from your pantry along with tips from board-certified dermatologists.
Meet the Experts
- Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA, is a Harvard-trained dermatologist and author. Dr. Kapoor currently serves as the senior executive vice president at Beloit Health System in Beloit, Wisconsin.
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology.
- Julyne Derrick is a contributing beauty writer at Byrdie specializing in hair and has over a decade of editorial experience.
What to Consider Before Using a DIY Treatment
- Your skin type plays a huge role in determining which DIY treatments will work best, according to dermatologist, Alexandra Bowles, DO. “For example, if you have oily skin, clay masks can help absorb excess oil, leaving your skin feeling fresh. For dry or sensitive skin, however, hydrating masks with ingredients like honey or aloe vera are gentler and won’t strip your skin’s moisture, which is essential for maintaining a healthy glow.”
- The key to healthy skin is hydration. Drinking a lot of water as a daily practice will help your skin retain its healthfulness, and can work in tandem with topical products for better results.
- Avoid alcohol and sugar before a big event when you want your skin to glow. Consuming either or both will cause dullness of the skin as alcohol dehydrates and sugar damages collagen and elastin.
- Rethink your cleanser. If you have dry skin, use a creamy cleanser that won’t strip it of oils.
- Exfoliation is key. You need to remove dead cells so your skin can soak up moisturizer or oils. But if you have redness, consider skipping anything that will tear at the skin, like a washcloth, sugar, or scrubs with microbeads. Instead, try an enzyme-based exfoliant. These enzymes (typically found in fruit) break down the dead skin naturally and won’t dry out your skin.
- After you wash off your face mask or scrub, be sure to apply a hydrating moisturizer or oil afterward to maximize the effects.
- “When using DIY treatments, patience is necessary,” says Dr. Bowles. “Results typically take time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t notice immediate improvements. With consistent use of proper skin care, your skin will gradually improve. I always remind my patients that skincare is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Byrdie Tip
If you have skin sensitivities, you’ll want to do a patch test on your neck or wrist first before proceeding with these recipes. “By applying a small amount of the product to an inconspicuous area (such as your jawline or wrist), you can check for any allergic reactions or irritation before applying it more broadly. This step is crucial to avoid any unexpected issues,” says Dr. Bowles.
The Best Avocado and Honey Face Mask
Avocado
Avocados are particularly moisturizing for the skin thanks to omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B that help reveal a brighter, more plump face. Avocado masks are great for dry, normal, and combination skin. People with mature, dry skin and fine lines will also find them hydrating.
It’s best to use a ripe, fresh, organic avocado and mash it up into a creamy pulp. When combined with carrot, honey, oil, egg, or buttermilk, they leave your skin fresh and near-perfectly moisturized.
Key Ingredients
Avocado oil is an edible oil pressed from the fruit of the avocado. For the skin, it contains vitamin E to help nourish and soothe, as well as oleic acid to promote collagen production.
Brown Sugar
A natural exfoliant, brown sugar is the base for many facial scrubs as it sloughs off dry skin cells and can be combined with moisturizing ingredients.
From a simple coconut oil and brown sugar blend to a hydrating honey and coconut oil scrub with your favorite floral essential oils, there’s sure to be a recipe with brown sugar that works for you.
Byrdie Tip
Keep in mind that this physical exfoliator can be irritating to dry or sensitive skin types. “While it can improve skin texture, it may be too abrasive for those with sensitive or dry skin, so I always recommend exfoliating gently and testing first,” says Dr. Bowles.
Turmeric and Yogurt
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice used in curries, but it also makes a brilliant face mask for dry or aging skin. Plus, you get all the spice’s healing benefits, including antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which can reduce inflammation.
“Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to soothe and calm the skin,” says Dr. Bowles. “When mixed with yogurt, it hydrates and exfoliates gently, making it an ideal choice for dry or aging skin in need of extra brightness and balance.”
Adding yogurt will provide natural lactic acid and moisturizing properties from milk and dairy fats. You can also add rosewater for an anti-inflammatory skin boost.
Milk
Milk works well to moisturize dry skin and its lactic acid does wonders for removing dry skin cells. You can even find a recipe that uses powdered milk, in addition to honey, aloe vera, and essential oils. It is invigorating and can help keep even the driest skin to look and feel healthy.
Key Ingredients
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works to exfoliate the skin. Its molecule is slightly larger than glycolic acid, meaning it works a bit slower and doesn’t penetrate the skin’s outermost layer as easily.
Egg White and Green Tea
Egg whites pack tons of skincare benefits as they are “rich in proteins, specifically albumin, which can help to tighten our skin, making pores appear smaller while green tea is loaded with antioxidants, like polyphenols, to help calm the skin and protect against free radicals,” explains dermatologist, Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA. When paired with ingredients like green tea, “egg whites tighten your skin, while the green tea will soothe and protect it, offering a balanced DIY mask,” Dr. Kapoor adds.
To create this DIY recipe, whip up the egg white until it is frothy, and then add about 1 tablespoon of green tea and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. After you apply it to your skin, wash it off with cold water after about 10-15 minutes.
Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter
Coconut oil can combat dry skin on its own and is ideal for everyday use in the winter. Simply slather a little on and wipe off the excess with a damp washcloth before applying your daily makeup. It acts as a perfect foundation primer and keeps super dry skin hydrated. For added hydration, mix coconut oil with cocoa butter and olive oil for your DIY moisturizer. Keep in mind that coconut oil is an oil, and therefore is comedogenic (pore-clogging). If you have oily skin or are breakout-prone, it’s best to skip this recipe.
Key Ingredients
Cocoa butter comes from the cacao bean, which is found inside the cocoa pod, which grows on the cacao tree. All of this to say, the tree and its products are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, making the cacao bean a great ingredient for a moisturizer.
Turmeric, Honey and Coconut Oil
Another turmeric face mask, this time with moisturizing natural emollients, honey, and coconut oil. It hydrates and brightens the skin, and is a centuries-old trick used in Indian beauty routines. “It’s especially useful for those with uneven skin tone or inflammatory skin concerns, providing a natural solution for a more radiant complexion,” says Dr. Bowles.
Make a paste of turmeric, flour, honey, and coconut oil, then do a patch test. If no irritation, apply it to your face, but only leave it on for 10 minutes tops.
Byrdie Tip
Proceed with caution, as turmeric has been known to stain the skin (even if only temporarily).
Dark Chocolate
Surprisingly, dark chocolate is a fantastic moisturizer when used in a mask, and it’s an ideal home remedy for dry skin. “Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage,” says Dr. Bowles. “Additionally, its hydrating properties make it a great option for dry skin that needs some extra nourishment. Its rich texture helps to replenish moisture, leaving the skin looking smooth and radiant.”
Here’s how to make a mask out of this superfood:
- Melt an ounce of dark chocolate in a bowl at 30-second increments until melted.
- Add the 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/3 cup milk to the melted chocolate and mix to combine.
- Cool to room temperature then apply to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Egg Yolk and Matcha
All parts of the egg are useful to the skin, so if you’re only cooking with the whites, don’t be so quick to get rid of the yolks. They’re packed with fatty acids and are a great source of hydration, says Dr. Kapoor. A simple DIY recipe includes one egg yolk with a tablespoon of jojoba oil and a tablespoon of matcha powder.
“Matcha helps to neutralize free radicals that can accelerate skin aging. The jojoba oil can help to seal in the moisture without clogging pores,” says Dr. Kapoor.
Strawberry
Strawberries are excellent ingredients for your skin due to their naturally occurring salicylic acid content, which helps slough off dead skin cells to reveal fresh, bright skin.
The simplest version of a strawberry face mask is made by mixing 1/4 cup of strawberries with 1/4 cup of full-fat plain yogurt. Check out these additional strawberry-based DIY treatments.
Honey
Adding honey to a face mask works for a variety of skin types. Because honey has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it may benefit acne-prone skin. It’s also a natural humectant that helps the skin retain moisture. Plus, honey pairs well with a multitude of other ingredients including avocado, yogurt, oatmeal, and even coffee grinds.
Aloe Vera and Cucumber
If your skin is red and irritated, and you are sensitive to a lot of ingredients, give aloe vera and cucumber a try. Aloe vera is super hydrating and moisturizing (It’s mostly water), and cucumbers are high in vitamins A and E. Plus, the calming, cooling sensation is super relaxing. When using aloe as an ingredient, you can use a store-bought gel (make sure it is alcohol-free), or aloe from an aloe plant.
Byrdie Tip
Some people can develop an allergic reaction to aloe vera, so it is best to do a patch test on your skin before committing to a mask.
Oatmeal
Have oily, acne-prone skin? Grab some oatmeal. As a gentle abrasive, oatmeal has the power to soak up excess sebum without irritating existing acne on the skin.
To make an oatmeal mask for oily skin, combine half to one cup of oatmeal with warm water to form a paste. Then, add one tablespoon of honey to the paste. Massage the mixture onto your face and leave for three minutes, then rinse off.
Byrdie Tip
If you are concerned about the size of the oats being too large and rough, you can crush them up a bit so they are a bit more fine.
Sugar or Salt Scrubs
For dry skin types, making exfoliation a regular habit is key, and sugar or salt scrubs can be an easy at-home way to do that, especially for exfoliating the body. Dry, dead skin cells are one of your biggest opponents because they blanket the skin and prevent moisturizers from working to their full effect.
All you need is a little sugar or salt, some water or oil, and a few other pantry staples depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that both sugar and salt are physical exfoliators, which can be irritating. If you have sensitive skin, sugar is gentler, so stick with that for your face and reserve your salt scrub for the body. And as always, complete a patch test before using sugar or salt to exfoliate your body.
Byrdie Tip
“Although DIY skincare treatments can be beneficial, they shouldn’t replace professional skincare or dermatological advice,” Dr. Bowles says. “For persistent skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea, I strongly advise consulting with a dermatologist for a tailored treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.”
Pumpkin and Rice Flour
Pumpkin seeds are rich in enzymes and vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, and E, which help to boost cell turnover. Rice flour acts as a gentle facial scrub while also evening out skin tone. Here’s how to turn these two power ingredients into a mask, according to Dr. Kapoor:
- Get 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and mix it with 1 tablespoon of rice flour and 1 teaspoon of rose water.
- After it’s mixed into a smooth paste, apply to your skin and leave on for up to 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with warm water.
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