Is facial mask essential?

Regular cleansing and moisturizing are fundamental in a skincare routine, but sometimes not enough for optimal skin health. Under extremely hot or cold weather, dry conditions, harsh sunshine, or when you are outdoors and exposed to dust and smoke for a long time, your skin is easily damaged, causing many problems like acne, excess oil, dry skin, dark skin, wrinkles, freckles, and aging skin. Applying a facial mask will be a lifesaver for your skin, not only quickly soothing existing problems, but also maintaining healthy skin less affected by external factors.

Why try a facial mask at home?

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Facial masks help optimize your skin health (Photo: hasaki.vn)

Although you can find a myriad of pre-made masks in any beauty store, a homemade face mask offers plenty of benefits for you:

• Ingredient control: DIY mask uses fresh and natural ingredients, avoiding synthetic chemicals or artificial fragrances, or preservatives, which may be harmful for your sensitive skin.
• Convenience: No need to go find a store or wait for the mask delivery from online shopping, easy-to-find and simple ingredients can be found right in your kitchen.
• Customization for specific needs: Tailor the ingredients for your mask to suit your skin type and immediate needs instead of buying an instant mask for all skin types.
• Cost-effectiveness: Most ingredients for DIY masks are available in the kitchen, such as honey, yogurt, oats, fruits, eggs,... You can even make use of leftover ingredients to minimize the cost of skin care.

Top homemade facial masks for amazing skin benefits

Green tea and yogurt - Acne and oil control mask

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Green tea is very rich in antioxidants (Photo: sorate)

Green tea powder, especially matcha powder, is rich in antioxidants that help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and redness, and soothe inflamed acne. In addition, it helps reduce excess oil on the skin, preventing new acne.

• Skin type: Oily acne skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, skin with large pores.
• Uses: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, control sebum and excess oil, help unclog pores, gently exfoliate and hydrate, anti-oxidant.
• Ingredients:
  • 1 tsp of pure green tea powder (preferably matcha powder)
  • 2-3 teaspoons of plain yogurt
• How to make:
  • Mix green tea powder and plain yogurt well in a clean bowl until the mixture is smooth and thick.
  • Apply the mask on your face and leave for 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with warm water. You can splash cool water later to help tighten pores and refresh your skin.
• Notes:
  • Lactic acid in yogurt can make your skin a little more sensitive after applying the mask. Use sun protection carefully.

Aloe vera - Soothing and restorative mask

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Aloe vera soothes your irritated skin (Photo: Dr. Barbara Sturm)

Contains up to 99% water, aloe vera provides an instant cooling sensation when applied to your sunburned or irritated skin. In addition, aloe vera is rich in polysaccharides and vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12), which prevent transepidermal water loss and support skin cell regeneration.

• Skin type: Sensitive skin, sunburned skin, red skin, easily irritated skin
• Uses: Instantly soothe redness, reduce burning sensations, restore damaged or irritated skin, and gently moisturize
• Ingredients: 1 fresh aloe vera leaf
• How to make:
  • Peel off the green outer skin, take the clear gel and rinse under water to remove the yellow latex
  • Puree the aloe vera gel until smooth
  • Apply aloe vera to your clean face for 15 - 20 minutes
  • Rinse your face with cool water
• Notes:
  • Make sure to remove all the latex from the aloe vera to avoid itching.
  • You can put the pureed gel in the refrigerator before using to increase the soothing effect.

Honey and avocado - Deep moisturizing mask

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Avocado and honey is perfect couple for moisturization (Photo: healthline)

Rich in vitamins E, C, K and unsaturated fatty acids, avocado is the best remedy for deep nourishing and softening skin. Besides, honey contains antioxidants, which help protect the skin from harmful environmental factors, slowing down the aging process.

• Skin type: Dry skin, normal skin, dehydrated skin, aging skin
• Uses: Intensely hydrate, reduce discomfort due to dehydration, soften dry skin, anti-aging
• Ingredients:
  • 1/4 ripe avocado
  • 1 tsp honey
• How to make:
  • Mash the avocado until smooth.
  • Add honey and mix well until a smooth, thick mixture is formed.
  • Apply the mask evenly to the cleansed face and leave for 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with warm water.
• Notes:
  • Do not leave the mask on your skin for too long, as it can clog pores for some skin types.
  • Only apply the avocado mask 1-2 times a week.

Yogurt and turmeric - Brightening and dark spot fading mask

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Turmeric facial mask works best for uneven skin and acne scars (Photo: everydaylaura)

Curcumin in turmeric starch helps detoxify, reduces inflammation and oxidation, whiten skin, and fade dark spots, while yogurt provides natural lactic acid, helping to moisturize the skin. This formula is perfect for not only dark and uneven skin but also acne-prone ones.

• Skin type: Dark skin, uneven skin, skin with acne scars, combination skin.
• Uses: Improve skin pigmentation, brighten skin, even out skin tone, reduce dark spots and freckles, hydrate skin.
• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 tsp of pure turmeric starch (can be replaced by turmeric powder but may cause a little more yellowing of the skin)
  • 2 tsp of plain yogurt

• How to make:
  • Mix turmeric starch/powder and plain yogurt until well combined.
  • Spread the mixture evenly on your face, focusing on areas with dark spots or uneven skin tone leave for about 15 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with water.

• Notes:
  • Recommended to apply this mask at night because turmeric can temporarily yellow the skin. You can use a cotton pad to gently wipe it off, or wash your face gently with a cleanser again.
  • Turmeric can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Make sure to use sunscreen when going out after applying the mask.

Egg white and lime juice - Pore ​​tightening mask

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Egg while is miracle cure for large pores (Photo: beautymunsta)

Lime juice helps deep clean pores, combined with nutrients and vitamin B (B2, B3, B5, B6) in egg white helps tighten pores, reduce sebum secretion, and prevent acne for the skin effectively.

• Skin type: Oily skin, oily combination skin, skin with large pores, loose skin, aging skin.
• Uses: Absorb excess oil on skin's surface, deeply cleanse and help tighten pores, help skin smooth and firm.
• Ingredients:
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 tsp fresh lime juice
• How to make:
  • Mix the egg white and lime juice in a bowl. Beat lightly until frothy.
  • Apply the mixture evenly to your face. Avoid sensitive areas like eyes and lips.
  • Leave the mask for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water.
• Notes:
  • If your skin is very dry or sensitive, use egg whites only or replace lime juice with honey to minimize the risk of dry skin.
  • Using sun protection after using masks with lime juice.
  • Advised to use 1 time/ week.

Oatmeal and milk - Gentle exfoliating mask

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Oatmeal and milk mixture is the best natural exfoliation (Photo: Alisha Alam)

Thanks to its fine grain texture, oatmeal gently removes dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum without causing irritation or redness.

• Skin type: All skin types
• Uses: Gently exfoliate dead skin cells and dirt without causing scratches or irritation, smooth skin.

• Ingredients:
  • 3 tsp of oatmeal
  • 4 tsp of unsweetened fresh milk
• How to make:
  • Mix oatmeal with milk in a small bowl. Let it rest for 3-5 minutes so the oatmeal can expand and soften.
  • Apply the mixture to your clean face, gently massage in circular motions for 1-2 minutes to remove rough skin layers.
  • Leave it for another 10 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with warm water.

• Notes:
  • Do not rub too hard when massaging to avoid damaging the skin.
  • Don't forget to moisturize your skin after exfoliation.

Banana and honey - Anti-aging mask

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Applying banana and honey mask 1-2 times/week to increase skin elasticity (Photo: Manali Momaya)

Both bananas and honey include powerful antioxidants like vitamins A, B, and E. Honey also has deep moisturizing, antibacterial, and healing effects that help restore and regenerate healthy skin.

• Skin type: Dry skin, normal skin, aging skin, lifeless skin
• Uses: Deeply moisturize, soften skin, improve skin elasticity and firmness.

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 overripe banana
  • 1 tsp honey
• How to make:
  • Mash banana until smooth.
  • Mix mashed banana with honey until well blended.
  • Apply the mixture on your clean face and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with water.

• Notes:
  • Mash the bananas until very smooth to ensure an easy application.
  • Bananas are easy to oxidize. Apply them immediately after mixing to ensure the vitamins and nutrients work most effectively.