Homemade acne masks made from natural ingredients such as fruit, honey, and essential oils can help to not only cleanse, balance, and tone, but to nourish the skin as well. With a well-balanced diet as a foundation and lots of water to keep the body cleansed of toxins, natural efforts such as the regular use of homemade facial masks for acne, can yield long-term benefits for your skin. Consider a bi-weekly facial to enhance your complexion with these homemade acne treatment recipes.
Cleansing and Balancing Acne Facial Mask
A simple, natural acne treatment recipe to cleanse pores and balance skin pH combines two ingredients that are probably in your kitchen – tomatoes and baking soda. Tomatoes are one of the best food facial ingredients for combating blackheads and pimples. Use fresh tomato to remove oil and dirt from pores, while also toning and balancing. A great source of nutrients, including free radical fighting antioxidants, tomatoes also serve to protect cells from damage and promote new tissue growth.
Baking soda in an acne facial mask will help to destroy bacteria and fight inflammation, while also balancing the skin's pH. Baking soda also leaves skin feeling soft. To make this homemade acne treatment use:
- 1 medium organic tomato, quartered
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
Lightly mix the tomato and baking soda in a blender, just until a pulp is formed. Apply the acne mask over face, gently rubbing the mashed tomato into the skin. Leave on for twenty minutes while relaxing. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Homemade Acne Treatment Recipe for Excess Oil
Often overly oily skin is one of the causes of acne. Excess oil can clog pores, causing blemishes and inflammation. Try this homemade facial mask to help manage acne due to oily skin.
- 1 teaspoon of green, white, or rose clay powder
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
Mix together to form a paste and then apply a thin layer over face and neck. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Wash away with warm water.
Clay is a great natural ingredient for drawing out impurities and oil. While you may not have clay on hand, it can be found at your local health food store. White and rose clay powder are better for sensitive skin. Honey has antibacterial properties. It also acts as a natural moisturizer. Try to use a raw honey for more beneficial properties. While some honey products such as manuka honey can be expensive, a small amount does go a long way.
Cooling and Toning Homemade Acne Mask
Of all the homemade acne treatment recipes this one is the most well-suited for sensitive skin. It combines the cooling and cleansing properties of cucumber and lavender with rose water, a gentle natural astringent. Cucumber is rich in vitamin C, which is necessary for the formation of new collagen. It also is rich in amino acids and organic acids that act to cool and refresh while tightening pores at the same time. In an acne facial mask, lavender essential oil helps to destroy bacteria that may be causing blemishes. It has an overall normalizing effect on tissue and has anti-inflammatory properties.
To make this homemade acne mask use:
- 1/2 cup of sliced cucumber
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
Blend the cucumber in a blender by itself. Move to a small glass or ceramic bowl and stir in the rose water and essential oil. Apply to your face, gently rubbing in a circular motion to help the mask settle into the skin (this acne mask will be very moist). Relax for twenty to thirty minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
Using Homemade Facial Masks for Acne
All of these homemade acne facial masks will help to remove some of the potential causes of acne, while also improving the health of your skin. On their own they can only do so much, but with other natural skin care efforts, such as using natural cleansers and moisturizers, eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and even drinking cleansing herbal teas, they can help to get rid of acne while also helping to create new, healthy, balanced skin. Use these natural acne treatment recipes once or twice a week. Try them all and decide which type of mask works the best for you.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition. Penguin Books, 2006.
Page, Linda. Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, Eleventh Edition. Traditional Wisdom, 2003.
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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