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Face Masques

Face masques are more intense facial cleansers that can clean the pores more deeply, replenish the facial skin with moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines, depending on the type of face masque you get. Regularly using a face masque plays an important role in maintaining a healthy skin care regimen.

Because face masques are more powerful solutions, you generally have to leave them on for up to five or 10 minutes at a time. Similarly, dermatologists and other skin experts usually recommend that you use a face masque no more than once or twice a week to avoid irritating or stressing out your skin.

How to Choose a Face Masque

Because various manufacturers produce a number of different types of face masques, you can be overwhelmed when trying to choose between them to find the right masque for you. Here are some tips for finding an effective face masque to include in your skin care routine:

Identify your skin type as either dry, sensitive, oily or combination.
Choose a brand with which you are familiar and that you trust.
Think about what you want the face masque to do for your skin: Do you want it moisturize your skin or reduce breakouts? Or, do you want the masque to improve fine lines?
Opt for gentler face masques, rather than stronger ones, as you first start using them. Jumping right into using a harsh face masque will over-dry your skin, possibly causing you to break out and develop other skin problems.

Once you have selected an appropriate face masque, you are ready to try it out at home. Keep in mind, however, that your first choice may not be the best. Don’t be afraid to try new different types of face masques until you find the right one for you.

Homemade Face Masques

While you can run out to a department or drug store and buy a readymade face masque cream, you can also make your own face masques at home with a few simple ingredients. The effectiveness of homemade face masques will depend on your skin’s current condition and the ingredients you use. As with face masques you purchase, try a few different types of homemade face masques until you find the one that works best for you. Here are some recipes for making homemade face masques.

Banana Face Masque

This face masque replenishes moisture while softening and relaxing the facial skin. While the oats in this masque relieve dry or itchy skin, the banana softens the skin and the orange juice helps reduce fine lines.

Ingredients

½ banana, ripe and smashed
2 Tbsp. oats
1 Tbsp. cream or whole mild
2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
dash of freshly squeeze orange juice.

Directions

Blend oats in a blender or coffee grinder to get them into a fine powder.
Mix all of the ingredients until a smooth paste is formed.
Apply face masque to the face.
Leave masque on for five to 10 minutes.
Rinse masque off with warm water and gently dry the face.
Moisturize.

Pumpkin Face Masque

While the pumpkin in this face masque restores facial moisture and reduces fine lines, the nutmeg and honey clean the pores and rid the face of potentially irritating or acne-causing bacteria.

Ingredients

2 tsp. cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
½ tsp. honey
¼ tsp. cream or whole milk
dash of nutmeg
¼ tsp. apple cider, optional for those who have acne prone skin.

Directions

Puree the pumpkin, if necessary.
Mix all of the ingredients until a smooth paste is formed.
Apply the masque to the face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Rinse masque off the face with warm water and gently pat dry.
Moisturize.

Resources

Athens, Eleanor (n.d.). Banana Bread Face Masque. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from the Pioneer Thinking Web site: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ea_mask.html.

GreenLiving.com (n.d.). Pumpkin Face Masque Rich in Vitamins A, C and Zinc. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from the GreenLiving.com Web site: http://www.care2.com/

greenliving/pumpkin-face-mask-vitamin-rich.html.

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This site is designed to provide information, not medical advice. Please consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns.