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It’s no secret that the winter months can leave your skin feeling dry, cracked and itchy. While the rest of your body is protected from the cold by your clothing, your face endures the brunt of the weather and often reaps the unwanted consequences. Along with a good quality moisturizer, here are seven DIY face masks to help you prepare your skin for the warmer months. (They’re coming, I promise!)

Face masks can work wonders to help heal skin. They can moisturize, help clear up acne and take your skin from dry and dull to healthy and glowing. Use organic ingredients when possible, to protect your skin from any unwelcome toxins. In recipes that call for honey, you can substitute it for a pureed banana (or even omit it, for vegans or others who choose not to use it). Be careful to avoid your eyes while applying and washing off each mask.

1. Avocado and Honey Mask For Dry Skin

If your skin is feeling extra dry and flaky, the avocado and coconut oil in this mask will replenish your skin with moisture, and the honey will help to heel any raw areas. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/2 of a ripe avocado
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil

You’ll want to mash the avocado until it’s smooth and creamy, then mix it with the rest of the ingredients. Use it on your face (avoid your eyes), and leave the mix on for about 10-15 minutes. Use a warm, damp cloth to wipe your face, or rinse the mask off with warm water. Below is a how-to!

https://youtu.be/QzNala_INvE

2. Soothing Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal can act as a natural exfoliant to sooth rough skin. This mask can also help to heal skin conditions like eczema and acne breakouts. All skin types can use this mask. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/3 cup of instant oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup of hot water
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1-2 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt

Add water to the oatmeal and stir for a few minutes, then add the honey and yogurt. Put the mix into a blender until smooth, then apply it to your face. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off using warm water.

3. Antioxidant Mask for Aging Skin

Papaya is a great tool to help you achieve a healthy and glowing complexion. The fruit is rich in antioxidants and will help to get rid of old skin cells. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/2 of a ripe papaya – peeled, seeded and sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon of honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon of lemon or lime juice

Puree the papaya using a blender or a food processor until it is evenly mashed, then add the other ingredients by hand. Apply the mixture to your face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse. Here’s a simple video tutorial to show you how quick and easy it is to make this mask:

4. Detoxifying Mocha Mask

This mask uses coffee grounds, and the caffeine helps to reduce swelling and puffiness, while the antioxidants in the cocoa help to reduce signs of aging. The yogurt in this mask is perfect for adding lost moisture back into your skin. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee
  • 2 tablespoons of pure cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 3 tablespoons of yogurt

Simply blend the ingredients then spread the mask evenly over your skin. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then rinse while gently exfoliating. If you have any of the mix left, add a little bit of water and use it as a scrub for the back of your arms or anywhere else that’s a bit rough and needs some smoothing.

5. Brightening Strawberry Lemon Mask for Oily Skin

Strawberries naturally contain salicylic acid, which helps fight acne-prone skin, and lemon juice helps to tighten pores and remove dead skin cells. The yogurt and honey in this mask work as antibiotics, and the best part is, it’s edible! Here’s what you’ll need:

    • 1/4 cup of mashed strawberries
    • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon of yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon of honey

Mash all of the ingredients together by hand, then apply evenly over your face and let the mask sit for 8-10 minutes. Wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth and rinse with cool water. Feel free to drink any leftovers as a smoothie (just not the stuff that was on your face!) Check out this similar mask below:

6. Redness-Reducing Mask for Rosacea

Cold, dry weather can often cause rosacea to become aggravated, leaving skin extra red and blotchy. Apple cider vinegar helps to stabilize the pH of your skin, and the oatmeal in this mask will help to lessen irritation. This mask works as a soothing moisturizer. Here’s what you’ll need:

    • 1.5 tablespoons of dry, instant oatmeal
    • 2 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon of honey
    • some strong-brewed green tea

Blend the first four ingredients together in a bowl, then add 3 tablespoons of hot green tea. Stir the mixture for a few minutes, adding tea as needed to create a thick paste. Apply the mask to your face and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then wipe it gently with a damp cloth and rinse with only water, no soap. You’ll want to use this twice a week to get the best results.

7. Soothing, Manly Mask

Here you go guys — a mask especially for you. This mask can soothe razor burn and dry, cracked skin. The cucumber in this mask lessens the look of redness and adds moisture to sensitive skin. Here’s what you’ll need:

    • 1/2 of a cucumber, peeled and chopped
    • 1 tablespoon of full-fat Greek yogurt

Yep, that’s it! Simple enough, right? Just put the cucumber through a processor until it’s pulpy, and mix the yogurt in by hand. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse your face with warm water and pat dry.

h/t: inhabitat