Slippery elms have been used both externally and internally for ages. They are made from the bark of the lily tree, which is ground and dried into powder. Because of its characteristic slippery texture, it’s often used in homemade face masks for acne: For internal use, you simply mix it with lemon juice or milk and drink. For external use, mix with honey. Honey has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. The honey is absorbed first by the skin, and then by the underlying cells to cure and soothe irritation.
To use as a mask, mix with grapefruit seed oil. For an effective combination, add grapefruit seed extract and yogurt. Then, apply the mixture evenly to the face. Wait five minutes before washing it off. This will help the mask stays on longer. If you leave it on too long, it will start to wash off.
For a more soothing consistency, combine apple cider vinegar and yogurt. This combination is particularly effective because it contains calming qualities. You can either make your own apple cider vinegar by mixing it with equal parts of water and honey or buy a commercially available apple cider vinegar solution at your grocery store. For astringent properties, use honey with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Either of these will have an anti-inflammatory effect on the surface of your skin.
Baking soda is one of those underrated yet powerful skin cleansers. By taking out the oil and grime from your face, you can unclog pores and reduce breakouts. The best thing about baking soda is that it leaves behind natural exfoliating properties. If you combine baking soda and sugar in equal parts, you can make a wonderful mask. Leave it on overnight, and then rinse it off in the morning.
Honey has natural antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Mix a tablespoon of honey with lemon juice and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. It helps to naturally exfoliate your skin. When used as a mask, this can help shrink pores and reduce inflammation. This mask works well as an all over treatment that works to heal and prevent blemishes.
An effective application of a mask is to mix olive oil extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and cornflower seeds. You can also create a paste out of honey and turmeric powder. You just need to mix them with a bit of warm water and apply it to the face. This mixture can also be applied to minor problems such as redness and itching. As an alternative, you could also use ground flax seeds which also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Another homemade face mask that you can create is one made from oatmeal. Take some oatmeal and grind it up into a fine paste. Apply it to the face and rub in a circular motion to reduce acne. For oily skin types, you could also mix the ground oatmeal with white vinegar and apply it.
To prepare this mask, mix together one teaspoon of each of basil leaves and mint leaves with enough warm water to cover the paste. Put it onto a piece of kitchen towel and leave it on overnight. Rinse it off with water in the morning. This exfoliant should keep the skin cleaner and more supple for the day.
Aloe vera gel is also an ingredient that you can use as a homemade face scrub or mask. Just take a half cup of aloe vera gel and mix it with lemon juice. Leave it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water and a washcloth. The natural ingredients in this homemade scrub will provide some relief from redness and irritation caused by acne.
A honey face mask can also be made. This is a great mask for those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. All you need to do is gather a tablespoon of honey, a couple of tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, sea salt and a dab of lemon juice. The mixture needs to sit on the face for about fifteen minutes before being rinsed with warm water and a soft cloth.
There are many other great homemade face masks that you can make to get rid of acne and the harmful bacteria that cause pimples. The above are just a few ideas and there are hundreds of other ingredients that you can find with more information online. Just remember that the safest and most effective way to get rid of acne is to use proven home remedies.