DIY Natural Skincare & Facemasks for Glowy Skin

If there’s one thing good that came out of months of lockdown, it’s that we finally had the chance to hone in on our DIY skincare skills. Instead of buying pre-packaged facemasks because we’re short on time, we had the leeway to go to the store, buy clay, buy ACV, mix it up, slather it on, and clean it up. We experimented with foods of all kinds, from avocados to green tea, and turned our bathrooms into quaint spas as we sipped on mushroom lattes. 

Now that lockdown is over, and we are slowly but surely (hopefully) moving into a safer time, we’ve rounded up our favorite homemade skincare and facemasks so that you can re-enter the world confidently. And when everyone asks, “how’d you get your skin to look so good?” you can say, “I did it myself.” 

DIY Natural Skincare & Facemasks for Glowy Skin

Whether you’ve got oily skin or skin dryer than your homemade sourdough you still can’t get right, we have a recipe for you. Tired eyes, dull-skin, laugh-lines—you’re all invited—but you can’t stay long.

Oatmeal Honey Mask

Stock up on oatmeal for more than just a grounding breakfast. This nourishing grain can do wonders for every and all skin types. 

Oatmeal contains avenanthramides, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that soothe dry and irritated skin. For those with acne-prone skin, oatmeal can absorb excess oil, making it the perfect face mask ingredient for taming breakouts. 

Add a little honey to that, and you’ve got yourself a date with supple, glowy, plump skin in under 15 minutes. To get the most out of this recipe, opt for raw and local honey. Raw honey is home to tons of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which can help slow down the aging process and plump up saggy skin. Honey is also a humectant, which means it helps lock in moisture for ultra-hydrating results. And because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties, the natural sweetener is a front-line fighter when it comes to breakouts. 

The result? Plump skin, smaller pores, and a radiant complexion

Directions 

1. Cook one serving of oatmeal (microwave or stovetop) 
2. Add two tablespoons of raw honey to hot oatmeal 
3. Allow to cool/thicken and apply to face 
4. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse for gentle exfoliation 

Aloe Vera and XX Ingredient Mask

This prickly plant isn’t just for sunburn (or for taking shots); Aloe vera can also help with common skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Oozing with over 75 vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and amino acids, this plant is a must-have for successful DIY skincare. 

Here’s what aloe vera can do for your skin: reduce acne by killing bacteria (thank you antibacterial properties) without stripping skin of natural moisture; reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin (anti-inflammatory agents for the win); and hydrate and rejuvenate skin with vitamins A, C, and E (your largest organs favorite vitamins).  

While aloe vera works wonders on its own, mixing it with other ingredients can produce maximum results. That’s why we’re letting you pick your poison. 

If you’d rather not scour the produce section for the desert plant, we made a list of the best aloe vera gels sans fragrance and toxic chemicals.

Aloe Vera and Turmeric Mask for Brightening 

Curcumin, the main ingredient of turmeric, has a long list of skin benefits, from reducing hyperpigmentation to neutralizing free radicals. To target skin discoloration, combine aloe vera for a natural dark spot remedy and turmeric for a skin-brightening boost. 

Directions: 

1. Combine 2 tbsp of aloe vera with 1 tsp of turmeric powder 
2. Apply to skin and leave on for 20 minutes 
3. Wash thoroughly afterward 

Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil for Ultimate Moisture 

Most people think that oils have no business being anywhere near acne-prone skin, but coconut oil’s potent antibacterial properties make it a surprisingly killer weapon for fighting breakouts. The number one rule to follow when using coconut oil on your face is to always do a thorough wash post-mask. Coconut oil gets a bad rap because it is comedogenic (may clog pores), but you shouldn’t have a problem if you follow oil cleansing protocols. You’ll actually have a solution—the key to combating acne and locking in hydrating for plump skin.  

Directions: 

1. Combine 2 tbsp of aloe vera with 2 tsp of coconut oil 
2. Apply to skin and leave on for 20 minutes 
3. Wash thoroughly afterward 

Yogurt Masks 

Let’s talk yogurt. We know that yogurt offers a slew of benefits for our gut microbiome, but we’re just discovering that it can also work similarly on our skin microbiome. Just like our gut microbiome, our skin microbiome can experience imbalances resulting in redness, irritation, rashes, eczema, rosacea, and acne. And if we use probiotics to balance our gut bacteria, that means that we can harness yogurt’s probiotics to balance our skin bacteria—topically. It’s quite magical, actually. 

By applying a thin layer of yogurt that contains live strains of lactobacillus and/or bifidobacterium species one time per day, at night, we can bring our skin microbiome back into balance for a glow, even skin tone. Skincare guru Marie Veronique recommends Stonyfield, which contains an exclusive six live active culture blend of probiotics, for acne. 

Directions:

1. Apply two tablespoons of yogurt to face (option to mix in crushed blueberries, a squeeze of citrus fruits, or a teaspoon of raw honey) 
2. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off gently after 

Frankincense-Lavender Skin Serum 

Most skin serums that are correctly formulated and effective aren’t budget friendly. If you want an affordable skin serum that works, why not make it yourself? It’s the gift (to yourself) that keeps on giving. 

This frankincense-lavender skin serum is a light herbal serum full of powerhouse age-defying oils. Lavender oil calms and moisturizes while Frankincense gets down to the cellular level to repair and restore. Macadamia nut oil is rich in nutrients and omega fatty acids that will rejuvenate tired, aging skin while locking in ultimate moisture. Last but not least, meadowfoam seed oil delivers a generous serving of major antioxidants to fight aging and brighten complexion. 

Yield: 2 ounces 

Storage: dark-colored glass bottle with dropper

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp macadamia nut oil 
• 1 ½ tbsp meadowfoam seed oil 
• 15 drops frankincense essential oil 
• 10 drops lavender essential oil 

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a dark-colored dropper bottle 
2. Shake to combine 
3. Apply 1 drop to skin with a focus on crow’s feet and laugh lines 
4. Let serum absorb into skin and follow with moisturizer 
5. Store in cool, dark place 

Chamomile Facial Cream 

Get the supple skin you dream of with this rich facial cream featuring chamomile flowers and oil. Chamomile is known for its calming effects both internally and externally. Topically, chamomile can be used in facial teas, creams, and toners to treat blemishes, wrinkles, and redness. This facial cream will deliver on all of the above plus ultra-hydration and plumpness. In addition to chamomile oil, geranium essential oil is one of the best essential oils for beauty, helping balance and revitalize dull skin. After trying this healing moisturizer, you may never purchase another moisturizer again. 

Yield: 30 treatments 

Storage: Glass Jar 

Ingredients: 

• 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flower s
• ½ cup boiling water 
• 3 tablespoons almond oil
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil 
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil 
• 1 ounce beeswax 
• 2 teaspoons glycerin 
• 10 drop chamomile essential oil 
• 10 drops geranium essential oil 

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine chamomile flowers and boiling water. Cover boil and let steep for 15 minutes 
2. Meanwhile, in the top of a double boiler, combine almond, avocado, and jojoba oils. 
3. Add the beeswax to the oils and stir over low heat until melted 
4. Strain the chamomile-infused water and measure out 1 ounce of the infusion. 
5. Transfer oil mixture into a medium-sized glass bowl. One drop at a time, add the infusion to the oil mixture, stirring with a whisk until it thickens and cools 
6. Add the glycerin and mix well. Add the chamomile and geranium oils and mix again 
7. Transfer cream to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid 
8. With your fingertips, massage a small amount onto your freshly washed face, neck, and chest.
9. Store in a dark, cool place 

Rosemary Under-Eye Balm 

Spending your whole paycheck on another eye balm that probably won’t work isn’t worth it this year. You’re most likely staying in like the rest of us, so why not mess around with a cheaper DIY version that may surprise you? 

This under-eye balm contains rosemary essential oil, which acts as a mild diuretic to reduce under-eye swelling. Its anti-inflammatory properties lighten discoloration, while its nutrients support compromised capillaries. 

Yields: ~1 ounce 

Storage: Dark-colored glass bottle with dropper 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons argan oil 
• 7 drops rosemary essential oil 

Directions:

1. In a dark-colored glass bottle with dropper, combine argan oil and rosemary essential oil 
2. Shake to combine 
3. Apply 1 to 2 drops with fingertips to under-eye area 
4. Store in a dark, cool place 
5. Use morning and evening