37) HOMEMADE MASK FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN

As a pre-teen, I started getting pimples. Most of the pimples resided on my forehead. They were small but very close together. When I  became a full fledged teenager, the pimples migrated on to my cheeks and chin. To add to my misery, acne became to form too. The hard lumps were an angry red, felt sore and tender to the touch. Whenever I go under the sun, the pimples become puss filled. It was a frustrating period in my life.

After many years of tries and many more errors, I consulted a skin specialist. I did a blood test and the result was my hormone levels were imbalanced. I was treated with medication and creams for a year. Finally the problem cleared. And just in time too because, I was going to be married in two months time! Thank goodness I wasn't going to be a blushing bride in the real sense of the word. 

Being an optimist, even though when the acne was at its worse, I was glad that I didn't have a moustache or hairy body because my doctor told me I had too much male hormones, testosterone that was causing the imbalance! Yes, we ladies do have testosterone too.  Did you know that? I didn't until the doctor told me. Well, I learn new things everyday.

So if you have daughters or sons who are going through a rough puberty, why not give them the  following recipes a try. Or try it yourself, because I know some of my friends are going through a second puberty now that they are in their fifties.  Again, hormones or this time, lack of it are the main culprits.

Masks Recipes for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

A bunch of Bananas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Banana Mask 

This recipe requires super-ripe bananas and a bit of honey. It is a soothing face mask and it is one useful way to get ride of overripe bananas that no one wants to eat! If you have very oily skin, try this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, preferably ripe (you can keep ripe bananas in the freezer. Let it thaw before using)
• 1 tbsp honey
• An orange or a lemon

Preparation:

Mix the banana and honey together.
Add a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon.
Apply to face for 15 minutes before rinsing with a cool washcloth or a steaming warm washcloth.

Aspirin Mask 

Crush aspirin and mix in water/oil/honey for a mask meant to dry up pimples. Apparently, aspirin is brilliant at spot-treating pimples, clearing up acne and itchy patches. It helps to speed up healing of blemishes.

Generic regular strength enteric coated 325mg aspirin tablets, distributed by Target Corporation. The orange tablets are imprinted in black with "L429". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1-3 aspirin
• Coffee cup or glass cup
• Shallow dish
• Warm honey (runny honey), moisturizer made for the face or natural oil such as almond, olive or coconut

Preparation:

• Depending on the amount of coverage needed, use 1-3 aspirin.
• Crush the aspirin into small pieces by rolling a coffee cup or glass cup over them. Place aspirin in a shallow dish.
• Stir in a few drops of water to help the aspirin dissolve into a paste.
• Add warm honey, moisturizer or a bit of oil (almond, olive or coconut works). Stir well.
• Apply as a mask or spot treat the pimple or itchy area. Allow to dry. Wash off after 10 minutes.

Strawberry Mask 

Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid. 

Why buy acne products when you can use strawberries? Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid which is found in most over-the-counter acne medicines. The yogurt is great for soothing skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup strawberries (fresh, not frozen please)
• 1/4 cup sour cream or non-flavored yogurt

Preparation:

Mash together the strawberries and yogurt or sour cream. Spread on face and wash after 10-15 minutes.

Simple Mask 


Milk of Magnesia is actually liquid magnesium. Like clay, it's from the earth, but has disinfecting qualities and absorbs oil better than clay. 

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Milk of Magnesia (No flavors, please)

Preparation:

Apply the Milk of Magnesia to face.
Wash with cool washcloth after 10-15 minutes.

Green Clay Mask 

This clay mask will help draw out excess sebum from pores.

When it comes to face masks, there's no better clay than green clay, also known as "bentonite." This purifying mask is wonderful for oily skin. You can get all of these ingredients in any natural food store or online. You can get the apricot kernel oil and the palmarosa essential oil online.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp green clay (you can get this in any health store)
• 1 tsp apricot kernel oil
• 3 drops of palmarosa essential oil

Preparation:

Mix the palmarosa and apricot oils together. Add a few drops of warm water. Mix together and add more water if need be to get a good, spreadable paste. Apply mask. Let dry for 10 minutes. Rinse off with a warm washcloth.

Homemade Clay Mask

Clay masks help neutralize skin. You can pick up clay from any health-food store.

Clay masks are soothing and healing to skin. You can pick up a basic green clay (also known as bentonite clay) from any health-food store. Clay comes in powder form. Add water if you have oily skin, jojoba oil if you have dry skin or milk for combo skin to create a workable mask.

Ingredients:

• A basic fuller's earth clay, also known as bentonite or green clay (if skin is sensitive, French green clay is a good option)
• 1 tsp honey
• water (oily skin), half and half (combination skin) or jojoba oil (dry skin)
• Optional: your favorite essential oil

Preparation:

Mix 2 parts liquid to 1 part clay.Choose your liquid based on your skin type. If you have oily skin, choose water. Combination skin, choose milk or half and half and if you have dry skin, opt for jojoba oil.

Mix in a bit of honey.

Add more liquid if clay is too dry.

Add a few drops of the essential oil (this step is optional).

Keep mask on for 15 minutes.

Rinse off with a steaming washcloth (Steam your washcloths with a couple drops of the essential oils in the microwave, but make sure washcloth is not too hot).

Homemade Juice Mask 

Strawberry and lemon juice contain natural astringents. Note: Recipe works for two people, so invite a friend, or cut recipe in half for just you.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tsp honey
• 1 cup strawberries
• Optional: 4 drops of your favorite essential oils

Preparation:

Mash or blend the above ingredients.
Smooth over face.
Let it stay for 10 minutes.
Rinse.

You may also like to read:


35B) HOW TO LOOK 10 POUNDS SLIMMER IN PHOTOGRAPHS.
34) WHAT IS BB CREAM?
31) THE SPICES OF LIFE-CORIANDER LEAVES AND SEEDS.





My next topic for discussion is, "Homemade Mask And Scrubs For Dry Skin".

MY ART CORNER

Cat Lick-Original

Cat Lick Version 6

This is the 6th version. Can you tell what were the changes made from the original?

Thanks for looking and taking the time to read my blog.  I welcome feedback and please feel free to share your experiences in relation to today's topic.

Until my next post, "Here's to your health!"


Other photocredit: StockFreeImages.com