DIY Halloween Skin Treats
Sugary treats are especially abundant this month! While the Halloween candy dish may hold tempting sweets, sugar can wreak havoc on skin by increasing inflammation. So skip the sugary Halloween goodies and give your skin a treat instead. Whip up an easy-to-make DIY skincare mask that will clear impurities, calm inflammation, and give you a sweet rosy glow. Here are two simple recipes that will give you a jump on Halloween - the Monster Mash Charcoal Mask and the Yummy Mummy Soothing Wrap
Monster Mash Charcoal Mask
This mask may look scary, but it contains powerhouse ingredients that detox your complexion and promote clear and soft skin. Made of 4 simple ingredients you can find at most health food stores, this mask comes together quickly so you can be on your way to amazing skin ASAP! Bentonite clay is a powerful ingredient that is derived from volcanic ash - it helps attract and trap impurities and dry over-active oil glands. Activated charcoal is the star ingredient of this mask - it absorbs impurities and environmental toxins that can accumulate on the skin while giving this mask its signature hue. Raw honey is an often overlooked skincare ingredient but this is not one to miss - it moisturizes and softens skin while acting as a natural antibacterial to help calm blemishes. Essential oils finish off the ingredient list and there are many choices for you to customize your mask - tea tree, lavender, and helichrysum are some top choices. I prefer to add lavender oil to help soothe redness and inflammation. Choose tea tree oil for acne-prone skin and helichrysum to give skin an anti-aging boost.
Best for: Oily skin, acne-prone skin, combination skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may find this one too drying; skip the charcoal mask and make the Yummy Mummy Soothing Wrap instead.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 TSP Bentonite clay
- 1 TSP Activated charcoal
- 2 TSP Water
- 1/2 TSP Raw honey
- 2 drops of your selected essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
To a small bowl, add water and essential oil. Sprinkle the bentonite clay over the top of the water/oil mixture and allow it to sit for 10-15 seconds before you add the charcoal and honey. Mash the ingredients together with a spatula and combine thoroughly - the clay will have a tendency to be lumpy - stir for several minutes until the mask is smooth and thick. Once mixed, apply liberally to your face and allow to dry for 10 minutes before you wash it off with warm water and mild soap. Discard any remaining mask (no preservatives = this mask wont keep for later).
This mask can sometimes be difficult to remove, so have an old washcloth on hand to help. Charcoal will stain - keep this mask away from your clothing and clean any residue from your bathroom sink when you use it.
Yummy Mummy Soothing Wrap
Sheet masks are everything in Asian beauty routines - now available in the US, sheet masks contain a cloth mask soaked in various skincare ingredients to help firm, soften, and soothe skin. Although you can buy sheet masks at your local beauty retailer, they tend to be pricey. Make your own inexpensively and customize the ingredients for your skin type. All you need to get started is a sheet mask blank, which is easily and inexpensively available at online retailers like THIS ONE This recipe is for a green tea sheet mask that calms and moisturizes skin. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant that drains puffiness and calms inflammation. Rose hip and carrot seed oils are packed with essential fatty acids that hydrate parched skin and improve the appearance of sun spots, scars, and fine lines. Essential oils are also used in this mask - select those which best fit your skincare needs. Excellent healing essential oils include lavender, helichrysum, geranium, and frankincense.
Best for: Sensitive skin, dry skin, aging skin. Sheet masks are much less drying than clay-based formulas and are tolerated well by most skin types.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 Sheet mask blank
- 1/3 C Freshly brewed green tea (cooled)
- 1 TSP Rose hip oil
- 1 TSP Carrot seed oil
- 2-4 drops Essential oils of your choice (I like lavender + rose)
INSTRUCTIONS:
To a small bowl, add cooled green tea, rose hip oil, carrot seed oil, and essential oils. Whisk thoroughly to combine. Soak sheet mask blank in liquid mixture until thoroughly absorbed. Carefully squeeze any excess liquid from sheet mask (mask should be saturated but not dripping) and place on your face. Relax for 10-15 minutes and enjoy your mask. When you are finished, remove the sheet mask from your skin and discard along with any remaining liquid. You may rinse your face with water, if desired.