How do I Choose the Best Mask Recipe?

There are several deciding factors when choosing the best facial mask recipe for your complexion. First, find out what type of skin you have. Dry, oily or combination skin can all have different needs. Then, decide whether you want a facial mask for relaxation, to cleanse or firm the skin or for another purpose. Other things to consider are skin sensitivity, allergies and cost of ingredients.

A mask recipe for oily skin may include ingredients such as kaolin, a clay found in natural health food stores and pharmacies. Its oil absorbing properties are useful as a base for a cleansing mask. Other ingredients to add include strawberries, which contain a natural source of salicylic acid, a plant hormone added to many commercial oily skin care products. Some people are allergic to strawberries, so always test the mask recipe on a small patch of skin before applying to the entire face.

Other common ingredients in a mask recipe for oily skin are fruits and vegetables with acidic properties. Lemons, grapefruits and tomatoes can all be juiced and mixed with egg whites to refresh and cleanse surplus oil from the skin. Egg whites can also be used on their own to temporarily tighten the skin and make facial pores appear smaller.

Dry skin benefits from a mask recipe made from oil-rich ingredients, such as avocado, vitamin E oil and whole milk yogurt. Ground nuts and seeds like walnuts can also be added to slough off dry and flaky skin. Do not include extra ingredients if skin is sensitive and dry, however. Sensitive skin in general should have as few products as possible applied to the skin. One of the simplest sensitive skin mask recipes is milk of magnesia, known as an anti-inflammatory, which is applied to the face and allowed to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing with tepid water.

Sensitive skin may also benefit from the soothing properties of green tea, aloe vera and cucumber. If cost is a factor, consider a mask recipe that uses ground oatmeal, which can be mixed into a paste with water and applied to sensitive or sunburned skin. Honey is another effective ingredient for dry skin and can be used without other added ingredients.

If stress relief is the goal, a drop or two of aromatic plant oils like lavender or rose can be added to a mask recipe. A mask recipe for relaxation can also include skin-soothing ingredients like almond oil or bananas. Soft lighting and relaxing music may also add to the experience.