Skin Care - How to Make Face Masks

The fancy packaging and exotic ingredients can be tempting, but homemade oatmeal face masks work just as well, are easy to use, and kinder to your skin. Also, because you make them yourself, you can make as much or as little as you need each time – so your face mask will never go bad. Depending on the different ingredients you add to the oatmeal, you can also customize your mask for your specific skin type.

Before You Begin

It’s best to determine your skin type first, so you know which mask will work best for you. If you have dry skin or oily skin all over, use the mask suited for dry or oily skin. If your skin is oily on your forehead, nose, and chin, you have “combination” skin. If your skin is neither too oily or dry, you have “normal” skin.

You should also try a “patch test” before you try any mask for the first time. This will let you check whether your skin is sensitive to any of the ingredients in your mask. To do a “patch test,” simply dab a bit of your mask onto the back of your hand. If the skin in that area immediately starts itching or burning, this means that your skin is sensitive to your mask, and you should not use it. If your skin has not started itching or burning after about 5 minutes, your mask is safe to use. You will only need to do a patch test before the first time you try any homemade face mask - after that, you can skip this step.

What You'll Need

First of all, of course, you’ll need the oatmeal! Make sure you use plain quick-cooking oatmeal, and not instant oatmeal. Start by combining a half-cup of water and a half cup of oatmeal in a bowl, and follow the package directions to cook the oatmeal; usually, you can either heat it in your microwave for 2 minutes or so, or heat it on the stove for about five minutes. Set the oatmeal aside to cool.

For a mask for normal skin, you will also need one raw egg. Beat the egg well in a bowl.

For dry skin, you will also need one half a banana, mashed up.

For oily skin, you will need half an apple and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Chop the apple in your food processor, and stir in the lemon juice.

Making and Using Your Mask

When your oatmeal has cooled, stir in the other ingredients you’ll be using and mix well, until the whole mixture forms a smooth paste. Wash your face first and pat it dry. Your homemade mask will drip a bit, so drape an old towel around your shoulders and across your chest. Then spread the mask on your face – be careful not to get any of it in your eyes.

Relax and let the mask sit on your face for no more than 15 minutes. Rinse the mask off with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Even if you've already done a patch test, sometimes a homemade mask can still irritate your skin. If your face starts itching or burning at any point while your mask is on, wash it off immediately.