3 Amazing Coconut Face Masks for Different Skin Types

I love the way that coconut makes my skin feel — plump, soft, and supple. While ideal for dry and aging skin (virgin coconut oil is great for smoothing wrinkles!), even acne-prone skin can benefit from a coconut face mask. Try one of these homemade skin care recipes, whichever one is best for your skin type. Also, try adding coconut milk to smoothie recipes (coconut milk, cocoa powder, banana, raw honey, and ice is a personal favorite) and using nourishing coconut oil in place of butter for baking. Coconuts have vitamin C and E as well as zinc, all important beauty nutrients.

For a coconut mask for dry skin and for defeating fine lines use:

• 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• 1 inch of a ripe banana, mashed
• 3 drops of frankincense essential oil

Whip all ingredients together with a fork or spoon and apply to a clean face. The banana adds some antioxidant action while the frankincense is good for cellular regeneration. Rinse off after 20 minutes, pat dry, and moisturize.

For a coconut face mask for acne, combine the anti-bacterial action of virgin coconut oil, raw honey, and tea tree.

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil

For a powerful mask, use extra virgin coconut oil and manuka honey. Manuka is expensive, but it has strong anti-bacterial properties and plenty of amino acids and other nutrients to feed the skin and promote healing.

For sensitive skin use,

• 1 tablespoon of pure (not light) coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon oat flour (or enough to make a soft paste)
• 3 drops of lavender essential oil

Stir all the ingredients together. Start by gently cleansing and patting the face dry, then apply. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes, letting your skin drink in some serious coconut milk moisture. Oat and lavender both act to calm and soothe. Rinse with cool water and put on your facial moisturizer. Remember, for all coconut face masks, make sure your milk or oil is at room temperature before preparing.

How to Make a Lavender Lemongrass Facial Steam for Oily Skin

Facial steams are great skin treatments to use to open pores and stimulate the skin before using a face mask. Or you can use a therapeutic steam treatment for skin on its own to deep clean pores and loosen debris. How to make a facial steam for oily skin and acne? Use the powerful anti-bacterial astringent combination of lavender and lemongrass. Both of these healthy skin herbs will fight bacteria. Lavender will calm and normalize the skin. Lemongrass will tone. The two together have a beautiful, uplifting aroma.

To make this oily skin facial steam, you will need:

• 1 quart of boiled water, use distilled, spring, or filtered, not tap unless you live in an area where you are comfortable with the tap water, I don't
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender
• 2 tablespoons dried lemongrass

Boil the water before adding the herbs. If you have a glass ceramic pan, use it, otherwise metal is fine. Reduce the heat to a simmer and then add all of the dried herbs. Simmer for three to five minutes and then place your pan and simmering herbs on a table where you can sit comfortably over the steam. Make a canopy over your head with a towel and hold your face over the rising steam for 15 minutes.

This treatment is refreshing for skin and perfect for normalizing an oily complexion. Try it before a clay mask for a super potent anti-acne skin treatment. Finish by dabbing distilled witch hazel on the skin to close pores, or even some of the infusion, as long as it is no longer hot.