Facials from the Kitchen
It’s fun to splurge on a facial treatment at a day spa once in a while, but beauty on a budget is the economic reality that many of us are experiencing. Forgo expensive treatments and commercial face cleansing products in favor of whipping up your own concoctions with ingredients you might have on hand — or can easily pick up at the grocery store.
Quick and easy recipes
Egg white face mask
Ingredients
2 tbsp plain yogurt
2 egg whites
Preparation
Place egg whites in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of plain yogurt. Mix together, then apply evenly to face. Let dry for several minutes, followed by a rinse with warm water and a washcloth.
Baking soda face scrub
Ingredients
2 tbsp baking soda
water
Preparation
Use the palm of your hand or a small bowl to make a paste of baking soda and water – use more or less water, depending on your preference. Use fingertips to gently massage and exfoliate the face, avoiding the sensitive eye area. Rinse well with warm water, then splash with cool water.
Recipe for oily skin
Banana and honey face mask
Ingredients
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp honey
a lemon or an orange
Preparation
Mash the banana in a bowl, then add honey and mix together. Add three or four drops of fresh-squeezed lemon or orange juice to the mixture. Mix again. Apply evenly to the face, leaving on for 15 minutes before rinsing with a washcloth (cool or steaming hot).
Recipe for dry skin
Classic avocado face mask
Ingredients
½ avocado
¼ cup honey
Preparation
Mash the avocado in a bowl, then add honey. Mix well and apply evenly to skin. Leave on for ten minutes before rinsing with a cool washcloth.
Recipes for sensitive skin
Strawberries and cream face mask
Ingredients
3 or 4 strawberries
1 tbsp sour cream
1 tsp honey
Preparation
Use a fork to mash the strawberries in a bowl. Add the sour cream and the honey. Mix together, and then apply to the face and neck. After ten or fifteen minutes, rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
Milky banana mask
Ingredients
¼ banana
1 tsp honey
1 tsp milk powder
Preparation
Mash banana in a bowl, adding the honey and milk powder. Mix well, and then apply to face and neck. Massage gently into skin, and then leave on for ten to fifteen more minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Recipes for all skin types
Oatmeal and yogurt face mask
Ingredients
1 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp oatmeal (finely ground)
Three or four drops of honey
Preparation
Mix the yogurt and oatmeal together in a small bowl. Add a few drops of honey (warm the honey first, by holding a spoon under hot water before dripping the honey on it) and stir together. Apply to the face, letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and a washcloth. For the final step, apply moisturizer to clean skin.
Apple face mask
Ingredients
¼ of a ripe apple
1 tsp oatmeal
1 tsp honey
Preparation
Mash the apple with a fork. Add the oatmeal and the honey. Mix together, then apply to the face and let it dry completely. Rinse well with warm water.
Brown sugar face scrub
Ingredients
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp olive oil (add more drops if you need to)
Preparation
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with the oil to create a paste. Massage into the skin, using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and blot with a warm washcloth. Follow with moisturizer.
Cucumber face mask
Ingredients
1 cucumber
1 egg white
½ tbsp lemon juice
Preparation
Peel the cucumber, then cut into thin slices. Blend the slices until the consistency of a smooth paste. Strain the paste, separating the liquid. Pour the liquid into a bowl and add the lemon juice. Mix together. Using a separate bowl, beat the egg white, then add to the cucumber juice mixture. Mix well, then apply evenly to the face, letting it dry for about twenty minutes. Rinse with warm water.
