No matter your skin type — whether it be oily, dry or somewhere in between — I think that everyone can benefit from adding a boost of hydration to their skincare regimen. And if you don’t have a skincare regimen, you should get one, sis. Proper skincare is necessary because our skin is the most substantial barrier against infection. Keeping our skin clean and moisturized helps keep this barrier secure.
Why is moisture in our skin essential?
According to skincare experts, we all have free water levels in our skin that need to remain flowing to have healthy skin. And a hydrating mask is a great way to ensure that your hydration levels are balanced.
While you can undoubtedly find your fair share of hydrating masks at your local beauty stores like Ulta or Sephora, many of the key ingredients used in these over-the-counter masks may already be in your fridge or pantry. For example, yogurt and honey provide essential probiotics and lactic acid that help nourish and hydrate the skin.
So if you’re looking to ramp up your hydration, whip up something at home. It is not only convenient, but it also gives you the empowerment of knowing precisely what you’re putting on your face because many over-the-counter varieties contain fillers, chemicals and other harsh ingredients that can do more harm than good. Here are three homemade recipes for creating hydrating face masks.
Photo: Alamy Stock
Hydrating face mask for glowing skin
Courtesy of Girls Love Style, this homemade nourishing facial mask is great for winter when our skin becomes very dry and sensitive, but it can also be used in the spring to keep skin feeling fresh and clean.
Ingredients
– Cottage Cheese
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions
1. Mix 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese with two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil (you can use sweet almond oil too)
2. Stir well and apply the mask on clean face
3. Leave the cover on your face for 20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water
4. Mix all ingredients and then apply to face in a circular motion
5. Leave on for roughly 20 minutes before rinsing off and drying the face
Hydrating Face Mask to nourish skin cells
Egg whites are known to supply the skin with necessary proteins, and amino acids and avocado add healthy fat and oils with a plethora of other vitamins. Check out this nourishing face mask, courtesy of Bellatory,
Ingredients
• 1 Egg White
• 1 Avocado
Directions
Mix ingredients in a blender and apply the mixture over the entire face for extra hydration and nourishment.
Hydrating Face Mask to soothe and soften skin
The pantry truly is a powerhouse when it comes to skincare. There are so many common natural ingredients that can do wonders for your skin, including a sweet staple: honey. Honey has a natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that can help slow signs of aging, according to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Check out this face mask to soothe and soften the skin, courtesy of Taste of Home.
Ingredients
• 1 Tbsp. Manuka or raw honey
• 1/8 tsp. ground turmeric
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Directions
1. Measure and mix the ingredients in a bowl
2. Wash your face thoroughly, then apply the mask to your face
3. Allow the mask to sit for at least 15 minutes
4. Use warm water to rinse the mask off
5. Repeat once a week to keep your skin healthy and smoothe
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