Strawberry and Yogurt Face Mask for Acne

Two of the best natural ingredients for preventing breakouts are salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids. Both are found in my strawberry yogurt face mask for acne, as well as many skin care products for clear skin. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that peels away the top layer of skin and unblocks clogged pores. Being oil-soluble, it is really effective for clearing up those sebum-filled pores. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as citric, lactic, and malic acid, also help to naturally exfoliate the skin. They are used for anti-blemish and anti-aging skin care.

Strawberries are a natural source of both salicylic and alpha hydroxy acids. They are great for cleansing, renewing, and brightening the skin, creating a smoother, clearer complexion. Yogurt is a staple DIY face mask ingredient, an excellent source of alpha hydroxy acids, as well as anti-bacterial zinc. I also like to add raw honey, for some more anti-bacterial action, always a plus with an acne face mask, and some balancing clary sage essential oil.

To make this berry yogurt face mask for acne, you will need:

• 2 strawberries, diced and mashed 
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
• 2 drops of clary sage essential oil, optional
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey

Stir together all the ingredients. Spread over a recently cleansed face. Leave on for 15 minutes. An oily skin tip — it is still important to use a facial moisturizer even if you have acne. Use a light lotion instead of a rich cream and wait until skin is completely dry before applying.

The Best Essential Oils for Oily Skin

Balancing, toning, and cleansing, these are the best essential oils for oily skin. Add them to your homemade face masks and DIY skin care recipes to help control a greasy complexion, cut down on breakouts, and help reduce large pores. Oily skin is hereditary, not a side effect of poor skin care habits, and it is a particular problem during hormone shifts ( the teenage years, the menstrual cycle, and stressful times of life). Aromatherapy skin care does not get rid of oily skin, but it can help to keep your skin under control.

The following are my five favorite essential oils for oily skin:

1. lavender — great for acne, oily skin, and even dry skin, lavender is the amazing skin normalizer, add to facial steams and masks to help balance your complexion.
2. clary sage — awesome on its own or in combination with lavender, clary sage essential oil balances oily, greasy skin, calms, and tightens skin tissue with gentle astringent properties.
3. geranium — another balancing essential oil, geranium is a gentle astringent that helps to keep skin clear and smooth. It can be irritating to very sensitive skin.
   
4. cedarwood — a skin astringent, cedarwood helps to clear congested, oily skin, this is one essential oil that can be irritating so only use one or two drops when adding to recipes.
5. petitgrain — this calming and cleansing essential oil treats oily, greasy skin while also fighting blemishes, it comes from the leaves of the orange tree

Add three or four drops to face mask recipes to enhance their effect. For a basic mask, combine alcohol-free witch hazelwith clay powder. Add three drops of your essential oils of choice, such as one of cedarwood and two of clary sage. This is a great at home treatment for oily skin. Try using it two or three times a week for a huge difference in this not-so-easy to deal with skin condition.

Easy Oat Face Mask for Dry Sensitive Skin

Oats are the quintessential sensitive skin skin care ingredient. With emollient properties they help to keep skin smooth and soft. Oats are also calming, acting to reduce redness and inflammation. For a softening, protective face mask for dry, sensitive skin, look no further than your breakfast oatmeal. Grind the dried oats (or start with an organic oat powder if you have some) to make a fine powder. Mix with vitamin E and antioxidant rich olive oil and calming chamomile tea and you have a soothing, moisturizing facial in no time.

To make this homemade sensitive skin face mask, you will need:

• 2 tablespoons oat powder
• 1-2 tablespoons chamomile infusion
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Start by brewing a cup of chamomile tea. If you are allergic to ragweed, use lavender tea or rose water instead of the chamomile. Stir the oats, chamomile, and olive oil together. Cleanse the skin with a very gentle facial cleanser. Coat the face and neck with the oat face mask. Leave it on for five minutes. Gently dry and finish with your moisturizing facial cream.

When my skin really starts to act up with redness and dryness (which basically happens every autumn), I use this dry skin treatment once a week and I start drinking a cup of cleansing tea once a day, as well as lots of water. It is easy to forget to stay hydrated when the weather cools down — how much is this part of the problem with winter dry skin? Keep the water and herbal teas coming to keep your skin glowing! 

Chocolate Avocado Face Mask to Fight Wrinkles

Good news for your skin — chocolate is good for you! Not the commercial, sugar infused chocolate candy bar, but real, organic, minimally-processed cocoa powder for an amazing cup of healthy hot cocoa or a piece of rich, midnight dark chocolate. Aside from the protective, free-radical fighting power of the cocoa flavonoids, my chocolate avocado face mask has three different source of vitamin E for skin repair, as well as a complex blend of fatty acids to guard against moisture loss and to soften the skin. This homemade mask is decadent, luxurious, and great for dry, mature, and normal skin types.

To make this chocolate avocado face mask, you will need:

• 1/4 of a ripe avocado, well mashed
• 1 teaspoon unprocessed cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons coconut milk

As with the cocoa powder, be sure to use the most unrefined and pure sources of sesame oil and coconut milk for the maximum amount of antioxidants and anti-wrinkle benefits. Sesame oil is very high in vitamin E and is often used in Ayurvedic body care. I love it for the skin rejuvenation benefits ( I also use it as a massage oil for my legs).

Mix all the ingredients together, keeping in mind that the more you mash your avocado, the smoother your mask will be. The oils from the avocado are easily absorbed into the skin — this fruit is not only a rich source of carotenes and vitamin C for the skin, but it is also a great carrier for the antioxidants from the cocoa! Smear over clean skin. I only leave this mask on for about 10 minutes. Rinse well, gently massaging the creamy chocolate and avocado paste into the skin while rinsing. Pat your face dry and finish with your anti-aging serums and facial moisturizer.