There’s A Walgreens In Your Pantry
Why buy big-brand masks when you have all the ingredients you could ever need right in your kitchen? Many familiar products are just as good for your outsides as they are for your insides, and before widespread commercialization, were used for vanity as much as for sustenance. Don’t bother hitting up Walgreens, try one of these recipes instead.
1. Egg Whites
Thanks to their high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals, egg whites are able to help reduce the appearance of pores, firm skin, combat acne, and reduce oiliness. Beat egg whites until they’re stiff and apply them to the face to receive its benefits, or mix with lemon juice, honey, or grapes, depending on your skincare needs.
2. Avocado
We love a good avocado, don’t we? You can use half of an avocado for your breakfast, and save the other for a hydrating face mask. You can mix avocado with apple cider vinegar, honey, yogurt, or oats, depending on your needs, or let it fly solo.
3. Turmeric & Yogurt
You can create a paste that will help brighten and even skin tone, reduce acne, and provide anti-aging benefits with these two simple ingredients. Yogurt is an excellent choice for smoothing and hydration, while turmeric’s antimicrobial properties will keep your face feeling nice and clean.
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4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known to help with sunburn, acne, and dryness, so it's no surprise that it can also be a very hydrating face mask. We’d recommend using aloe right from the plant, as many store-bought gels can often contain alcohol.
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5. Banana
Bananas are thought to help increase collagen production, therefore reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It’s easy enough to make; simply mash up a ripe banana and smear it on your face.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is well-loved among dry skin havers for deeply hydrating skin and hair. It is highly comedogenic, so those with oily or acne-prone skin should stay away from using it as a face mask. For best results, use organic, unrefined coconut oil.
7. Papaya
This well-loved fruit acts as an exfoliant for your skin, removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and brightening your complexion. Mashing a ripe papaya and mixing it with honey, yogurt, lemon, or turmeric will have you feeling fresh as a daisy in no time.
8. Green Tea
Green tea has been said to reduce sebum production, fight bacteria, and reduce inflammation, while being an excellent dandruff fighter when used in hair. Make yourself a comforting cup of tea, and incorporate any other of your preferred ingredients to create an invigorating face or hair mask.
9. Honey & Lemon
This mask goes out to our acne-prone friends. The exfoliating and oil-controlling effects of lemon and the bacteria-fighting hydration of honey make this DIY duo a must for anyone who suffers regular breakouts.
10. Oatmeal
Oats are known to soothe the skin while still providing gentle exfoliation, making it an excellent choice for various skin types. If you have oily skin, mix your ground or rolled oats with yogurt; for dry skin types can use mashed banana. Either way, we’d recommend adding a little honey in there.
11. Raspberries
The anti-aging and UV-protection qualities of this red berry are excellent for acne-prone folks. Mix 6-8 crushed raspberries with green tea, yogurt, oats, honey, or avocado to give your skin some much-needed love.
12. Coffee
Coffee is known to help exfoliate the skin and temporarily tighten blood vessels, reducing the appearance of under-eye puffiness. You can use coffee grounds with honey for an antibacterial-style mask, or mix with milk or yogurt for moisturizing benefits.
13. Pineapple
This summer fruit is full of enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids that are excellent for exfoliation, brightening, and acne reduction. It can be a little intense for folks with sensitive skin, but you can also mix it with some softer ingredients like yogurt or coconut oil before applying to minimize the risk of irritation.
14. Peaches
Peaches are excellent for folks with dry skin, as they help to cleanse, moisturize, brighten, and protect the skin from sun damage. You can mix peaches with other ingredients to make a multi-purpose mask, or simply apply thin slices to the face.
15. Milk
Milk baths are a common practice for moisturizing and soothing the skin, especially if you’re struggling with a sunburn or eczema. Milk also contains alpha-hydroxy acids, making it an excellent, gentle exfoliator, while the fat and protein content help to soften the skin. Thicken up the milk with banana and turmeric for a hydrating face mask, or spray a mix of milk and honey onto your hair for heat protection and anti-frizz benefits.
16. Blueberries
The many antioxidants and vitamins found within blueberries will help with brightening and evening skin tone, boosting collagen production, and reducing the appearance of pores. Blueberries are often mixed with yogurt, aloe, oats, or honey, depending on the needs of your skin. Be warned, however, as they have been known to stain skin temporarily.
17. Baking Soda
This catch-all product can be used for a DIY exfoliating treatment, simply mixing it with water, lemon juice, or honey. Baking soda has also been cited as a great base ingredient for a natural clarifying shampoo, which you can use to remove any buildup. It is quite intense, however, so we wouldn’t recommend using it more than once or twice a week.
18. Rice
Rice water is often used for hair growth, but it can also be used as a facial toner. Rice flower or rice oil is also frequently used for exfoliation or moisturization, respectively, as this multi-dimensional grain is a catch-all for reducing oil, hyperpigmentation, and irritation, while also providing hydrational benefits.
19. Rosehip
Rosehip has a high content of fatty acids, making it an excellent choice for hydration. It also helps to reduce the appearance of scars, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines, and protects the skin from environmental damage. You can use rosehip oil for skin and hair, but it's not recommended that you mix it with alpha and beta-hydroxy acids.
20. Cucumber
Often seen in spas as a depuffing agent, cucumber is well-loved for hydrating the skin. You can obviously apply raw slices directly to your face, but you can also purée them with aloe or oatmeal and honey for moisturizing or acne-controlling benefits.
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