The BEST Vegan DIY Face Masks

I’ve always been a fan of DIY beauty products.

Not so much because the results were better than store bought products, but mainly because I enjoyed the process which made me actually focus on my me-time and gave me the time to unwind and have a proper spa day at home. Slathering a ready-made product on is quick and convenient when you want a quick beauty fix, but making your own satisfies your soul while properly pampering your body.

And after all these years of trying out different recipes I developed and perfected a few that actually work to the point that I can see each and every one of you exclaim: 

“I can’ believe I lived without it so far”.

APPLE PUDDING MASK

This one is great for restoring the elasticity of dry, neglected skin. 

If you have been on a long flight, if you had one too many drinks, if you have been exposed to the harsh winter weather for an unexpected long period of time, this is the damage fixer that you are looking for.

 Ingredients

1 appple

1 cup olive oil

A few tablespoons rosewater.

How to make it.

Chop the apple, removing the stems but keeping the skin on. Add to a blender with the olive oil and mix well. Place the mixture in a bowl and into a double boiler.

(To make your own double boiler all you need is a medium sized pot and a heatproof bowl. Fill the pot half way through with water, heat and carefully place the bowl with the mixture on top of the pot with the boiling water.)

Heat the mixture for approximately 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. 

Apples contain pectin which makes them ideal ingredients when you need to thicken up a sauce or in this case a face mask.

Remove from heat and gradually add the rosewater until you reach a consistency that looks easy to apply.

Apply generously to your face and neck. Keep the left overs in the fridge. After 15 minutes rinse well and enjoy your rejuvenated skin!

OATMEAL BANANA SKIN FOOD

Oatmeal is a brilliant humectant. Which means that on its own it’s not able to do much for you but combined with other hydrating ingredients it’s amazing at retaining moisture.

This mask is proper skin food. Soothing and calming it’s the perfect treat for an acne prone skin.

Ingredients

½ cup oatmeal

1 banana

5-6 slices of cucumber

How to make it.

Blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, until well combined. If it’s too thick you can always add a few drops of water or plant based milk and blend again. 

Apply to your face and neck and allow to work its magic for at least 15 minutes. Rinse well and apply your moisturizer as per usual.

FLAXSEED CALM BALM

Flaxseed is best known for its high anti-inflammatory levels. The omega 3 fatty acids in those little hero seeds increase the speed at which wounds heal, which makes it the perfect remedy for irritated skin. It helps to reduce rashes and redness and it’s so easy to make and use, that it will become your go to healing face mask.

This mask is so versatile that you will be able to recreate it with anything you have in your fridge as a bonding element. 

Ingredients

½ cup ground flaxseed

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoon coconut cream 

(Alternatively instead of coconut cream you could use either tahini or peanut butter or a few table spoons of a mashed ripe avocado/banana)

How to make it

Blend all the ingredients together into a grainy paste.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes. You will notice that the texture will change as the flaxseed soaks up the moisture and turns into an egg-like consistency. 

Then apple to your face and neck and wait at least 15 minutes for your skin to absorb all the nutrients before rinsing with warm water. Proceed with your normal skincare products. 

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DIY FACE MASK TIPS AND TRICKS 

• Remember your neck and décolletage when you are applying your masks. They need as much attention as your face.

• Be versatile. Don’t be discouraged if you are missing a secondary ingredient. Bananas, avocado, peanut butter soy yogurt, vegan milk, tahini or even just plain water can be used to replace most bonding agents in your face mask.

• Apply your face masks on a clean face after you have showered so that the pores of your skin are open hence more susceptible to all beneficial ingredients.

• Always use lukewarm water to rinse off your masks. It will break down the product without irritating your skin.

• Exfoliate beforehand. Using a mild exfoliator get rid of all the dead skin cells and prep your skin to welcome the treatment.

• Once a week is ideal when it comes to the frequency that you need to use a face mask. If you have exposed your skin to harsh conditions or if you are sleep deprived and stressed out try to sneak in one more application within the week.

Enjoy your glowing skin!

Until the next one,

Chelf