7 Easy DIY Ayurvedic Face Masks
Our daily life and activities can take a huge toll on our skin. Whether it’s fighting stress, pollution, not getting enough sleep, dealing with allergies, infections, health issues, or perhaps just having a bad skin day. You name it and your skin will show it. If you are not eating healthy, drinking enough water, exercising and getting 7-8hrs sleep, your skin will show it, and no one wants to see the after-effects of those on our face and skin. But the truth is that, we all live in a real world. A world where we have to go out to work, deal with stress, pollutants, germs, sometimes eating not-so-healthy food, not getting enough sleep, water or exercise. In a pragmatic situation like this, the least we can do is take care of our skin at least from the outside.
I suppose, most of us have had mums, nans and grandmas giving us tips and advice on how to treat our skin naturally at home, using ingredients that we can easily find in our food cupboard and fridge. This wisdom that has been passed down through generations, have been tried and tested and it shouldn’t be ignored. After all, if you look at your grandma and can’t believe how young she looks for her age, I am sure she will have some handy tips for you. So do pay attention and test those homemade recipes first before you head to a luxury brand and shell out £125 on a pot of cream! Ayurveda emphasizes using the good old natural ingredients, which are time tested and packed with nutrients and are readily available for your use without spending a lot of money.
Now coming back to the importance of face masks and why they are recommended. If you have ever been to a spa and got a facial done, you would have noticed that they always end your facial with a mask. Sometimes they use Face Packs and sometimes Face Masks. What is the difference? Face Packs are setting masks and helps clean the deep down impurities in the skin, while Face Masks are non-setting masks and help remove layer of dead skin cells. Face packs/masks also help in unclogging and tightening your pores. To summarise the benefits of using face pack/mask:
- It helps in deep cleaning by reaching the endodermis, unclogging the pores and pushing the dirt out.
- It helps in removing dead skin cells.
- It helps in nourishing and hydrating the skin.
- It helps in relaxing the skin.
- It slows down the skin ageing process.
- It helps by tightening and reducing the size of the pores.
- It helps to fight acne and reduce skin blemishes, pigmentation and black spots.
- It helps in giving your skin that healthy glow.
- It enhances the effectiveness of other skincare products.
Here are some tried and tested Ayurvedic face packs and masks that you can make at home at a fraction of the price.
For Dry skin- Vata balancing:
Gram Flour and Yogurt Face Pack
Besan (Gram/Chickpea Flour) and yogurt face pack is a great way to nourish your dry skin. Besan helps in removing all of your dead cells, Yogurt and Honey deeply moisturizes the skin and Turmeric fights bacteria, maintains pH level and also gives your skin a healthy glow.
To make this face pack, you’ll need:
2 tbsp Besan/Gram/Chickpea Flour
1 tbsp Yogurt
1 tsp Honey
A dash of Turmeric
Directions:
Take a bowl and mix all the four ingredients to make a smooth paste. Apply evenly all over the face and neck and leave for about 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water.
For Normal/Sensitive Skin- Pitta balancing
Gram Flour and Turmeric Face Pack
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; it helps in fighting the bacteria, cleanse, clarify, smooth, calm, invigorate and brighten the skin. Besan or Chickpea Flour is an excellent exfoliant that helps in removing dead cells and deep cleansing the skin. It also helps in maintaining the pH balance of your skin.
To make this face pack, you’ll need:
1 tbsp Besan
½ tbsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp Rose Water
Directions:
Mix all the three ingredients to make a thick paste. Apply it all over the face and neck and leave it for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
For Oily Skin- Kapha balancing
Lemon and Honey Face pack
Lemon is a known astringent and great to purify the skin, reduce oil secretion, and eliminate dead skin cells. Honey, is known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties and helps in reducing acne by reducing oil secretion from the pores. This face mask will help in minimising oil secretion, keep your face clean and make it look soft, smooth and supple.
To make this face pack, you’ll need:
2 tbsp Lemon juice
1 tbsp Honey
Directions:
Mix Lemon juice and Honey in a bowl and apply the mixture all over the face. Let it dry and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
For Skin Brightening
Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) Face Pack
Multani Mitti, also known as Fuller’s Earth, is a cosmetic clay that is known to fight acne and pimples. It helps remove excess sebum and oil, deep clean the skin by removing dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and impurities. It also helps even out skin tone and brighten complexion by treating tanning and pigmentation. Tomato juice helps in lightening the skin by interrupting the melanin formation process, stimulate collagen production and fight cellular damage.
To make this face pack, you’ll need:
2 tbsp Multani Mitti
1/2 tsp Sandalwood Powder
1 tbsp Tomato juice
Dash of Rosewater
Mix all of the above ingredients to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste all over the face and let it dry for 10-15 min. Wash it off with lukewarm water. It is recommended to use this pack once or twice a week.
For Glowing Skin
Orange Peel Face Pack
Orange peels are high in antioxidants and vitamin C. They help protect the skin against the damage caused by UV rays. Orange peel extracts contain various compounds that exhibit anti-aging properties. Due to this, the skin may look brighter and more radiant.
To make this mask, you’ll need:
3 oranges
1 tablespoon yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
Directions:
Peel three oranges and save the skin. Break the peels into small bits and rinse them. Spread them out and allow them to dry in the sun for about three days. You can also use a store-bought orange peel powder. Once the peels are dry, use a coffee grinder to grind it into powder. You could store the orange peel powder in a clean, dry bottle. For the pack, mix two teaspoons of orange peel powder with honey and yogurt and apply on clean skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, and then rinse your face with water.
For Acne
Turmeric and Aloe Vera Face Mask
Aloe vera is known to be naturally soothing, calming and healing inflamed and irritated skin. Turmeric is a strong antibacterial and antiseptic agent and when used on skin, it helps to cleanse, clarify, smooth, calm, invigorate and brighten the skin. It also helps balance production of natural skin oil.
To make this mask, you’ll need:
2 tbsp Aloe Vera gel
1 tsp Turmeric
Directions:
Mix Aloe Vera and Turmeric to make a smooth paste. Apply it all over the face and rinse it off after 15 to 20 minutes.
For reducing Hyperpigmentation
Neem Face Mask
The leaves of Neem Tree contain plant compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties along with its anti-ageing and wound healing properties. These are very effective in reducing acne scars, dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
To make this mask, you’ll need:
2 tsp Neem Powder or Neem Oil
1 tbsp Honey
1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Directions:
Make a paste out of the ingredients and keep it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Now, when the face pack is cold enough, apply it all over the face. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water. For best results, use it twice a week.
Note:
Although all the ingredients in the recipes mentioned above are natural, it is still recommended that you do a patch test behind your ear to rule out any possible reactions, allergy or side effects due to any of the ingredients. If you do get a rection, stop using it immediately and consult a doctor if needed.
Saying that, although the face masks mentioned above are meant to make your skin look supple and gorgeous, I always recommend a holistic approach towards skincare. Like I always tell my clients too that beautiful skin just doesn’t come from what you put on the face from the outside, it comes from what you put inside your body too. So make sure that you cover the basics about maintaining good health. That is, exercising regularly (whatever physical activity you choose to do), get 7-8 hrs sleep at night, include lots of fresh food in your diet, avoid sugar and dairy, drink plenty of water in the day and find a hobby or activity to turn to, to destress yourself.
Have a happy skin day!
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/tomato-benefits-for-skin
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yogurt – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22152494
Medicinal and cosmetic uses of Bee’s Honey – A review – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3611628/
Lemon: A Versatile Fruit of Multiple Uses – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318360553_Lemon_A_Versatile_Fruit_of_Multiple_Uses
ALOE VERA: A short review – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
Yoshizaki, Norihiro et al. “Orange peel extract, containing high levels of polymethoxyflavonoid, suppressed UVB-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in HaCaT cells through PPAR-γ activation.” Experimental dermatology vol. 23 Suppl 1 (2014): 18-22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25234831/
Apraj, Vinita D, and Nancy S Pandita. “Evaluation of Skin Anti-aging Potential of Citrus reticulata Blanco Peel.” Pharmacognosy research vol. 8,3 (2016): 160-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4908842/
Neem on the face – Face to Face with Shiva: Scientific Perspective of a Spiritual Experience