Skin is the largest organ of the body and the first line of defense. The skin on your face is continuously exposed to various toxins, chemicals and pollutants. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the skin and protect it against harmful substances that may degenerate the skin proteins, affect the skin texture and lead to premature aging of the skin.
Homemade hydrating face masks are free from harsh chemicals and they do not have any adverse effects on the skin. One can easily prepare these hydrating face masks in no time without spending too much money on it.
Best Homemade Hydrating Face Masks
Regular application of these face masks will give the best results. Here are top 14 homemade hydrating face masks for the skin that are prepared from 7 main ingredients.:
Papaya
This delicious fruit is great for your skin. Eating as well as topical application of fresh papaya pulp can enhance the beauty of your skin.
Papaya is loaded with beta-carotene or provitamin A, which nourishes the skin and helps in the removal of dead skin cells. This fruit keeps your skin well hydrated and prevents the loss of moisture from the skin.
Papain, an enzyme present in papaya is an amazing exfoliator and a skin-lightening agent. It is a natural bleaching agent that reduces dark spots, blemishes and other unwanted pigments on the skin.
Hence, regular application of papaya softens the skin and keeps it moisturized. Here are some simple papaya face masks:
1. Papaya face mask
- Blend 1/4 piece of papaya to make a lump-free puree.
- Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon honey and mix well.
- Apply this face mask onto your face and allow it to dry for 15 minutes.
- Wash your face with water and pat it dry.
- Repeat this twice a week for effective results.
2. Papaya-egg white mask
- Blend the papaya to make its puree or mash it with the help of a fork.
- Beat an egg white and add it to the mashed papaya.
- Mix the two ingredients properly and apply it on your skin.
- Wash your face after 5-10 minutes and pat it dry.
Cucumber
Cucumber is chock-full of nutrients, which are essential for a beautiful and flawless skin. It has an excellent potential for cooling, healing and soothing to an irritated skin.
Cucumber is used for various skin problems like wrinkles, sunburn and acne. Regular application of a cucumber face mask is a great way to moisturize the skin.
Cucumber keeps the skin hydrated via the following mechanisms:
- It repairs the skin barrier.
- Retains or increases the water content.
- Restores lipid barriers.
- Holds and redistributes water.
- Maintains the integrity of the skin and appearance.
Studies have indicated that vitamin C present in cucumber increases the collagen fibers in the skin, which in turn improves the hydration conditions in the skin. Read below and learn how to make your own cucumber face mask:
1. Cucumber-yogurt face mask
- Blend 1/2 cucumber with its outer peel in a blender.
- Transfer it to a bowl and add 1 tablespoon yogurt to it.
- Mix well until the two ingredients are combined properly.
- Apply this on your face and neck and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
2. Simple cucumber mask
- Mash the cucumber or blend it in a blender.
- Apply this plain cucumber mask on your clean face and let it dry.
- After 15-20 minutes, wash your face and pat it dry.
Note: During summers, cool the cucumber in the refrigerator for extra cooling.
Tomatoes
Apart from being used in the culinary world, tomatoes are also used to get a glowing and supple skin. Tomatoes are loaded with the goodness of essential nutrients and antioxidants that help in lightening the skin and diminishing the dark spots. It keeps the skin well hydrated and helps in getting rid of excess oil.
Various tomato-based face masks and face washes are available in the market. Here are some natural homemade tomato face masks:
1. Tomato-lemon face mask
- Mix tomato paste and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together in a mixing bowl.
- Apply this mask to your face and allow it to dry for 10 minutes.
- Wash your face with warm water and pat it dry.
2. Tomato-cucumber face mask
- Blend tomato and cucumber together and transfer it to a clean bowl.
- Apply this on your face and neck.
- After 15 minutes, wash your face with water and pat it dry.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is effective in reducing skin dryness. It moisturizes the skin and keeps it soft and supple. Aloe Vera-based face masks improve the texture of the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
If your skin is not properly hydrated, the skin cells may begin to die. The skin becomes irritated and may look dull. Using aloe Vera on the skin prevents loss of water from the skin, moisturizes it and soothes the skin.
1. Aloe Vera Multani face mask
- Combine 1 tablespoon Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) and 1 tablespoon aloe Vera gel in a mixing bowl.
- Add milk or rose water to the above mixture to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this on your clean face and neck and allow it to dry for 5-10 minutes. If you leave this face mask for a long time, your skin may turn dry.
- Wash your face with warm water and pat it dry.
2. Aloe Vera- turmeric face mask
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, a pinch of turmeric, 1 tablespoon honey and rose water.
- Mix it properly to form a smooth face mask. Apply it on your face and neck.
- Wash your face after 10-15 minutes and pat it dry.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal possesses antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It is a natural exfoliator that removes excess dirt and oil from the skin and prevents clogging of the pores.
Oatmeal is a strong anti-inflammatory agent that relieves dry and irritated skin. Flavonoids present in oatmeal protect the skin proteins against damage caused by the UV radiation.
Starches and beta-glucans present in it further possess water-holding properties that keep the skin moisturized. Here’s how you can prepare oatmeal face mask:
1. Oats-almond face mask
- Blend together 1 tablespoon oats and 5 almonds in a blender until a smooth paste is formed.
- If the paste is too thick, add some milk or rose water to it.
- Apply it on your face and neck. Individuals with psoriasis can also apply this to their affected skin areas.
- Wash your face after 10 minutes and pat it dry.
2. Oats-besan facemask
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon oat flour, 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan) and buttermilk to form a smooth and lump-free mask.
- Apply this to your face and neck area evenly.
- Wash your face after 5-10 minutes and pat it dry.
Neem
In India, for hundreds of years, neem leaves or neem oil are applied to the skin to relieve skin burn, psoriasis, eczema, dry skin and acne. This powerful and natural ingredient possesses anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property.
Its external application further soothes dry, cracked and damaged skin and restores the natural elasticity of the skin. Thus, it makes the skin soft and increases the flow of the nutrient and oxygen-rich blood towards the skin.
You can easily prepare neem face masks at home, let’s have a look:
1. Neem-honey face mask
- Wash 15-20 neem leaves with fresh water and transfers these leaves in a blender.
- Add 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric to it.
- Blend these ingredients together until an even face mask is formed.
- Apply this on your face for 10-15 minutes.
- Once the mask dries, wash your face with warm water and pat it dry.
2. Neem yogurt face mask
- Blend together a handful of fresh and clean neem leaves, 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan) and 1 tablespoon yogurt.
- Apply this mask to your face and neck and let it dry.
- After 10 minutes, wash your face properly and pat it dry.
Banana
Banana is a natural moisturizing agent and it is better than chemical-based moisturizers that come with a lot of side-effects. It is beneficial for dry, rough and flaky skin.
Applying a banana face mask soothes the irritated skin and improves the texture. Potassium present in this fruit prevents the loss of moisture from the skin and heals the damaged skin cells.
It further prevents premature aging of the skin and its signs, which include:
- Dark Spots.
- Wrinkles.
- Fine lines.
- Pigmentation.
Here’s how you can heal your skin with these banana face masks:
1. Plain banana mask:
- In a bowl, mash a ripe banana with the help of a potato masher.
- If you have a very dry skin, add 1 tablespoon of honey to the mashed banana and mix well.
- Apply this mixture carefully on your face and neck.
- Allow it to dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash your face with water.
2. Banana-yogurt face mask:
- Using a potato masher, mash a ripe banana in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon yogurt to it and mix well. You can also replace yogurt with 1 egg white.
- Mix the ingredients properly.
- Apply this mask on your face and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash your face with warm water and pat it dry.
References
- Aravind G, Debjit Bhowmik, Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Carica Papaya, Journal of Medicinal Plant Studies, Volume 1, 2013 (http://www.plantsjournal.com/vol1Issue1/Issue_jan_2013/2.pdf)
- Erica N, Rachel E, An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene, Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 1, 2013 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850026/)
- Meika Foster, Duncan Hunter, Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition, 2011 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/)
- Nader Pazyar, Reza Y, Oatmeal in dermatology: A brief review, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Volume 78, 2012 (http://www.ijdvl.com/article.asp?issn=0378-6323;year=2012;volume=78;issue=2;spage=142;epage=145;aulast=Pazyar)
- Kim SJ, Skin whitening and anti-corrugation activities of glycoprotein fractions from liquid extracts of boiled sea cucumber, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2016 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27794379/)
- Venugopalan Kumar, Neem (Azadirachta indica): Prehistory to contemporary medicinal uses to humankind, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, Volume 3, 2013 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3695574/)