Fantastic Homemade Facial Masks

The skin is your body's largest organ, and an extremely sensitive one at that! It is affected both by outer influences (such as cold, heat, and ultraviolet radiation) and internal ones (such as stress).
On the average, the skin produces millions of new cells every day, and regenerates itself completely every 30 to 40 days. After the age of 35, however, the skin's natural rejuvenating process slows considerably. At this time, the skin can benefit from a facial mask.
There are generally two types of facial masks. Relaxing masks moisturize the skin and refresh the complexion, while stimulating masks promote blood flow and smooth and firm the skin.
Here are some general tips and easy recipes for homemade facials:

• Cleanse your face before applying a mask, using a toner. (Witch hazel is an effective and inexpensive choice).
  
  
• Use soft water or distilled water when possible when making a mask. Hard water high in minerals, may irritate the skin or provoke an allergic reaction. If you must use tap water, boil it first.
  
  
• Apply the mask by beginning at the chin area and moving up to the cheeks and forehead. Apply the nose next, moving outward toward the cheeks. Be sure to leave space around the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows. Finally, spread the mask on your throat, moving from bottom to top.
  
  
• Three great natural ingredients for facial masks are strawberries, honey, and whole wheat flour.
  
  
• Strawberries are used in stimulating masks. They gently refresh and exfoliate the skin, remove impurities, and reduce redness and swelling.
  
  
• Honey has antibacterial properties, so it is great for disinfecting and healing minor blemishes. It is also gentle on sensitive skin.
  
  
• Whole wheat flour is great for sloughing off dead skin. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental toxins. It is reputed to slow the aging process of the skin and to give it a fresh, new appearance.

Strawberry Mask
4 to 5 very ripe, medium size strawberries
2 teaspoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon honey
Rinse the strawberries in lukewarm water, and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. In a small bowl, mash the fruit with a fork. Add the cream and honey, mixing well. Leave on for 20 minutes
People with sensitive or sunburned skin might find the strawberries irritating. Test on a small patch of skin first to assess your skin's reaction.
Whole Wheat Flour Mask
1 quart water
peels from one or two oranges
4 teaspoons dried or 8 teaspoons fresh rose petals
6 tablespoons of milk
2 tablespoons of rose water
2 teaspoons honey
4 tablespoons of whole wheat flour
Boil the water and remove from heat. Add the orange peels and rose petals. Cover the pan and allow them to steep until the water is lukewarm or cool. In a separate pan, heat the milk, floral water, and honey. Remove from heat. Add the flour and whisk everything together into a thick paste.
Apply the warm paste to the face and neck. Leave on 15-20 minutes. Wash the mask off carefully with the rose-orange water. Pat dry, and add a moisturizer.
Here are four super easy masks for every skin type:

• For normal to dry skin, mix together 2 to 3 teaspoons of bran, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 egg yolk.
  
• For oily skin, mix together 1 egg yolk and a few drops of lemon juice.
  
  
• For dry skin, mix together 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of honey and a few drops of strong chamomile tea (cooled).
  
  
• For dehydrated skin, squeeze juice from half a cucumber and mix with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Homemade Hand Lotion

Homemade Lotion For Sore, Dry Skin

Here is a recipe I found for hand cream that is excellent for sore, dry skin. The recipe, developed by Rosemary Gladstar, is contained in the book "Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts."
3/4 cup of apricot or almond oil
1/3 cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter
1 teaspoon lanolin
1/2 oz of grated beeswax
Melt these ingredients over low heat. Cool to room temperature. While these ingredients cool, mix together:
2/3 cup of rosewater
1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
1-2 drops of rose oil
the contents of 1 vitamin E capsule
Add these ingredients to the first mixture. Whip together until their consistency resembles buttercream frosting. Store in a covered jar.

A "Natural Recipe" Formula

Here is a recipe from Natural Formula.
Orange Lotion
1/2 oz Cocoa Butter, melted
1 oz Olive Oil, warmed
1 oz Orange Juice
2 drops essential oil (Orange Flower if possible)
Mix all ingredients together in blender until light and fluffy. This lotion need not be refrigerated, but should be used as soon as possible. It may separate, but can be beaten together again.
It also mentions mixing vegetable glycerin and rose water, but most homemade lotions should be refrigerated and used up as soon as possible (within a week) because they do not have preservatives and bacteria can grow in them.
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Homemade Lotion Recipe with Sources

1 cup glycerin
1 cup rosewater
optional:
10 drops (or about 1/8 teaspoon) essential oil fragrance, such as lavender or ylang ylang
1/4 teaspoon (or more) vitamin E oil
Put all ingredients into glass or plastic bottles. Portion out the ingredients according to the ounce capacity of the bottles you are using. Shake well until all ingredients are completely combined.
If using scent, shake well several times a day for 2-3 days before giving or using. If using a fragrance, pick one that smells good combined with roses because of the rosewater.
Don't use metal containers or utensils: they taint the lotion and change the acidity.
Glycerin, rosewater, and vitamin E oil are available at most drugstores. Essential oil fragrance available at specialty fragrance, bath or herb shops.

Beeswax Based

3 tbsp. grated beeswax
1 tbsp. liquid lanolin
1/2 cup light sesame oil
2 tbsp. strong chamomile tea
1 tbsp. coconut oil
1 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Combine all ingredients in a glass ovenproof container. Heat in the Microwave until all the wax and oils are melted. Do Not boil. Pour the mixture into a jar or container and allow to cool completely. yield: 4oz.

Simple, Cheap Mix

I buy cheap, good smelling lotions at the dollar store (3 large bottles) and 1 jar of vasoline. I use a big bowl and my electric mixer and mix them together. Use after a shower or after washing your hands. It keeps your skin nice and soft.

With Cream of Oats

1/2 cup juice of sour almonds
1-1/2 cup of water soaked oat flour
1-1/2 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of white wax
Mix very well all of the above ingredients to make the cream. This can be kept in a plastic or glass container to be used daily. Enjoy!

I've Loved It

This is a recipe I got from a good friend of mine and she gave me some as a gift and I loved it. I haven't made it myself, but here's the recipe she gave me.
Splendid Hand Cream
1/2 oz. sodium laurel sulphate
4 oz. cetyl alcohol crystals
6 3/4 oz. glycerine
1/2 oz. lanolin anhydrous
Place all ingredients in a double boiler, and stir until crystals are dissolved. Add 37 1/2 oz. hot water (not boiling). Add 1 1/2 oz. of favorite cologne. Add enough food coloring to give a pleasing color (use caution--put in by drop). Beat with electric mixer until light, fluffy and the color is well mixed.

Three Part Recipe

1 lb. unibase compounding lotion (obtained from a pharmacist)
1 pt. glycerin
7 cups distilled water
Mix by hand and not by a mixer.

Homemade Facial Mask Recipe?

Three Choices

Depending on your skin type, here are some great masks to try. For oily skin use some plain Milk of Magnesia, rub it on and let dry, then rinse with lukewarm water. It absorbs oil wonderfully!
For Normal/combination skin mix one egg and 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and a teaspoon olive oil until smooth. Spread on your face and leave 15 min then rinse.
For dry skin, mix one egg yolk, one teaspoon honey and a teaspoon olive oil and some vitamin E oil if you have it. Smooth on and leave on for 15 min. , rinse in lukewarm water and pat dry. If your skin is a bit dry you can put a dab or two of either olive oil, or any other light oil, or plain crisco if you want something heavier, on your moist skin after washing or a mask and your face is set without the $$ some people spend for the same look.

Homemade Facial Scrub Instead of Soap

This is for the lady who wanted a homemade facial mask. First, clean your face with water only. Never use soap. You can open your pores with hot compresses (washcloth) For a facial scrub, moisten oatmeal to a "goo", use it to scrub your face (not around your eyes). Wash off with cool water.You may also make a paste of the oatmeal and allow it to dry..remove with cool water.You may also beat an egg white, put it on your face and let it dry, rinse with cool water. Sliced fresh cucumber placed on your closed eyes will reduce bagginess and dark circles.To make your hair shine, rub in some regular mayonnaise,shampoo out after 15 minutes.

Honey for Best Facial

The best facial mask that i have found is honey. Use warm cloth to open pores, smear on honey, leave on 15 to 30 minutes, rinse off with warm water, and then use cold water to close pores. Use for 3 days in a row and then once a week. Sometimes I mix a little gound oatmeal with the honey, which makes a great mask.

Facial Feels Good

One my daughter and I had fun with and found to have a cleansing and softening effect was to mix regular clean kitty litter, the clay kind, with water and strain out the grit. It really felt good.