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Natural masks are easy and fun to make at home from organic ingredients; they are also very economical.Your fridge is full of face masks! A jar of honey, some yogurt, eggs or fresh fruit are some ingredients you could use.

The following mask recipes will do wonders - Most natural masks are safer than commercial preparations because they won't irritate your skin, unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients.

When applying masks it is important to stay away from the eye area as the skin is very delicate and if you are using a mask that sets then to remove it you'll have to put pressure on that skin. Another reason is the eyes are sensitive and any substances will cause discomfort.
 
Two ingredients serve as a base for masks: powdered oatmeal and powdered almond. Both can be produced at home by powdering oatmeal or almonds in a coffee grinder. One other choice that bears mention is plain yogurt. It makes a refreshing mask when combined with oatmeal and a little lemon juice. Brewer's yeast can also be used.

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To make a mask, add distilled water, a few drops at a time, to a tablespoon or two of the oatmeal or almond powder until you have a paste. Spread on your face, avoiding the eye area, then sit back and rest until the mask dries. When ready, wet and wring a washcloth in water that is as comfortably warm as you can tolerate and place the cloth over your face for a few minutes to soften the mask. Then rinse your face clean with warm water and follow with a cool splash.
 
You can also purchase floral waters such as Lavender, Rose, or Orange to make the paste, or you could also use honey. Honey and oatmeal masks are often mentioned in very old herbal manuscripts.

Whichever choice you make, a mask should be applied once a week to revive the skin by getting rid of the dead skin cells which tend to give one that chalky, just embalmed appearance.

Normal / Ideal Skin
 
Honey is fabulous for normal skin types.Place a cloth in warm water and apply to face and neck. Smear on honey, and leave for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then use cool water. Use once per week. This will leave your skin soft and glowing.

For a creamy facial mask that leaves your skin soft and refreshed. 1 tablespoon organic plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon cucumber, 1 tablespoon parsley.

Puree the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth.Clean your face with a gentle Cleanser. Cover your face with this creamy mask.

This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Follow with your favourite Moisturizer.

Juice a fresh cucumber and carefully strain. Mix the juice with an equal amount of fresh cream and apply to face. Relax for ten minutes with feet on a cushion and rinse off with cool water.

Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Apply to face, leave for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

Mix a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on the face for 30 minutes for a glowing complexion.

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt. Honey stimulates and smoothes, egg and almond oil penetrate and moisturize, and yogurt refines and helps tighten pores. Apply to face, leave  for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer. Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Massage into the face and neck . Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.

Chocolate Mask for Normal to Dry Skin

1/3 cup organic cocoa, 3 teaspoons of  thick organic cream, 1/3 cup ripe papaya, ¼ cup honey and 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder. Mix together in a blender. Smooth on face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water, for a smooth complexion.

Dry Skin

Lightly whip the white of an egg and add to a few drops of favorite oil - coconut, olive and almond are suitable. Spread this over face and let dry thoroughly before washing off with cool water.

Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

Banana is wonderful as an Anti-Wrinkle Treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water, followed by a dash of cool. Gently pat dry. Can use this one daily.

Oily Skin

A great inexpensive mask for oily skin is made from oatmeal and plain water. take a cup of oatmeal and add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the mixture over the face, avoiding eye area, and relax while the oatmeal dries. Rub the face gently up and down so the oatmeal helps to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. Then wash with water to take off the remaining oatmeal.

Oily Skin Mask. Mix 1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast with enough natural yogurt to make a thin mixture. Pat this thoroughly into all the oily areas and allow  to dry on the skin. After 15 - 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water, then cool water and blot dry.

This mask is good for oily, open-pored skin and coarse complexion. You will need raw egg whites, half a fresh lemon, half a cup of oatmeal. Beat the egg white in a bowl until slightly frothy, squeeze in the lemon juice, then add the oatmeal. Mix all three together well. Spread the mixture over your face. Put a towel over your clothes as this mask will drip but will dry quickly. The drying action of the egg white will feel very tight, so try not to make any facial expressions. When dry rinse off with warm water. Follow with your favourite Moisturizer.

For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes (softens your skin), lemon (natural cleanser) and egg white (tightens the skin). Leave  for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Clay is available in powder form at any health food store. Mix 1 tablespoon dry clay with 1 egg yolk, 1/4 of a mashed avocado and enough witch hazel to create a smooth mixture. Mud dries excess sebum while the egg yolk and avocado replenish lost moisture. Witch hazel tones.

Problem Skin

If your skin tends to break out in pimples then try this treatment.

Juice an onion and add just enough Fullers Earth (from health food stores) to make a stiff paste, add a teaspoon of honey that has been warmed in a basin. Apply to face and leave for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water.

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If open pores are a problem, try placing thickly cut tomato slices over the area and lying down for twenty minutes.

Remember to use these masks once a week and keep using them. It only takes a short amount of time each week to be on the right road for clean healthy looking skin.