DIY Vegan Face Masks

Face masks are an important step to clear healthy skin as they contain a lot of nutrients and ingredients at once. However, so many store bought or spa face masks contain lots of nasty chemicals or toxins that are actually bad for your skin. Thankfully, nature provided us with lots of effective alternatives for healthy skin that are gentle, cruelty free and vegan; all of which can probably be found in your kitchen!

Twice a week I pamper myself with a face mask to help rejuvenate my skin and keep it nourished, acne free and smooth. I feel that it is very important for everyone to find a little bit of 'me time' at least once a week in order to de-stress.

Below is a list of my favourite DIY face masks for all types of skin that are guaranteed to make you switch off for a little bit of the day!

Oatmeal Odyssey

The idea of oatmeal as a face mask isn’t new, as it is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; as well as deeply hydrating. Oatmeal combined with yogurt can restore your skins natural moisture and also heal scaring! Plus it makes for a super gentle vegan exfoliating face mask.

The Recipe

½ cup of rolled oats

¼ cup of soy yogurt (or regular yogurt if non-vegan)

handful of blueberries

Blend the oats in a food processor until large grains remain and combine this mixture with the yogurt and blueberries. Once combined pulse it all together again and then apply to the face and neck. After 10 to 20 minutes, rinse off thoroughly and enjoy your soft, rejuvenated skin.

Chocolate facial pudding

Let’s talk avocado. It seems that in the last year the world has gone crazy for avocado. Eating avocado is great for your body but did you know it also does wonders for your skin?! Avocado is one of my favourite foods and this face mask uses this ingredient to moisturise and cleanse. With the added bonus of containing cocoa powder to protect the skin this face mask is almost tempting to eat!

The Recipe

1 avocado

2 Tbsp. of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. of agave nectar (or honey if you’re not vegan!)

Mix all these delicious ingredients in a bowl until smooth and then simply apply to the face and neck (eating the leftovers). Once it has been on your skin for roughly 10 minutes, rinse off with warm water and pat down with a towel.

Cool Cucumber Mask

In the summer, I have cucumber with just about anything. It adds a freshness to my diet and as you probably know it can add freshness to your skin. Cucumbers contain silica, which can help rejuvenate your skin, tighten your pores and even treat nasty sunburn. So stop putting it in your Pimms (only for half an hour then back it goes) and have a go at making this fresh face mask!

The Recipe

1 cucumber, grated

1 Tbsp. of lemon juice

3 mint leaves, crushed

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Simply apply to the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse off thoroughly and feel how fresh and clean your face is!

Strawberry Sensation

Strawberries contain salicylic acid which breaks down dead skin cells and when mixed with coconut which is a natural moisturiser it prevents flakiness and helps prevent acne; perfect for oily skin. Adding kaolin clay is ideal for oily skin as it draws out impurities and protects your skin with its anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties.

The Recipe

4 strawberries

1 tsp. of coconut oil

¼ tsp. of white kaolin clay

Mash the four strawberries together before stirring in the coconut oil and kaolin clay (can be ordered from Amazon). Once combined, make sure your skin is clean of any make-up, and apply the paste onto your face and neck. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

Banana-rama

This DIY face mask recipe is perfect for reducing breakouts. Bananas not only balance the skin but are also skin soothing: they nourish and rejuvenate. Adding ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda pulls out the dirt and oil from your pores and turmeric reduces inflammation of the skin. This is the best home anti acne face mask recipe you will ever try.

The Recipe

1 banana

1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp. ground turmeric

Mash the banana on its own and then mix in the rest of the ingredients. Apply onto damp, clean skin and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water.

Top tip: Apply Daily Botanical Shield face oil after you have finished masking to lock in moisture and for added nourishment. Beauty Tonic is a 100% natural, vegan and cruelty free organic face oil suitable even for the most sensitive skin and it will make your face glow.