Facials You Can Make At Home

green tea mask

Most women realize the importance of a good facial to enhance the skin’s natural radiance. But facials aren’t just about beauty; there is an important health reason to take advantage of the deep cleansing a facial provides.


The skin is the body’s largest organ. It performs several jobs, including acting as the first line of defense against invasion by foreign substances, and serving as the exit point for toxins that are released from the body. It’s a good preventative health measure to cleanse and re-hydrate the skin with a periodic facial so that it can function as it should.

However, spa facials, while very effective, can be very expensive. There are alternatives that you can make at home that will clean and exfoliate the skin about as well as the more costly spa variety, so that you can keep your skin glowing and healthy.

Dr. Jody Alpert Levine is a NYC-based dermatologist and Co-Director of Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, a comprehensive facility that offers a full range of integrated skincare for the whole family. Dr. Levine practices cosmetic, surgical, and pediatric dermatology, as well as pediatrics. She is board certified by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is a member of American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Women’s Dermatologic Society, Society for Pediatric Dermatology and American Medical Association.

Dr. Levine has provided TH readers with some of her favorite homemade facial recipes:

Kiwi Skin Firming Mask

Kiwi is very similar to lemon in that it contains Vitamin C and improves the overall look of the skin and makes it elastic. Honey is an ingredient commonly used in the preparation of hydrating facial masks because it is a humectant, meaning it draws and retains water.

Ingredients:

1 ripe, peeled kiwi

1 teaspoon of honey

Preparation and Application:

Mash kiwi with a fork and strain excess juice. Add teaspoon of honey; apply the mass to the face. Leave on for 20 minutes; then rinse with warm water.

At Home Retinol Mask

Retinol, or Vitamin A, helps regulate skin cell production. It is commonly used in anti-aging and acne treatments. A medium size carrot has 1015 mg RAE (retinol activity equivalents) of Vitamin A in it. It is also a good source of Coenzyme Q 10, which helps reduce the visibility of crow’s feet.

Ingredients:

2-3 large carrots

4½ tablespoons of honey

Preparation and Application:

Cook carrots and then mash. Mix with honey and apply gently to the skin. Wait 10 minutes; rinse off with cool water.

Mask To Close Enlarged Pores

Ingredients:

The white of 1 egg

Few drops lemon juice

Preparation and Application:

Mix egg white with the lemon juice. Using a brush, massage onto clean skin. Leave on for 5 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Coconut Oil/Butter Facial

Virgin coconut oil/butter makes for a good moisturizer by providing a protective layer that locks in natural moisture. Coconut oil solidifies at temperatures below 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the coconut butter in small lip balm or eye cream jars or any small, sterilized jar.

  • To treat acne, add a couple of drops of tea tree, lavender, or patchouli oil.
  • To soften wrinkles, add a couple of drops of rose, orange, or patchouli oil.
  • To treat eczema, add a couple of drops of chamomile, geranium, or orange oil.
  • To treat broken capillaries, add a couple of drops of rose, palmarosa, or parsley oil.

Wheat Germ and Vitamins Facial

Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant and Vitamin E is said to slow down the aging process. Almond oil soothes and lubricates the skin. Apricot oil protects and softens the skin. Wheat germ oil promotes skin elasticity.

Prick a capsule of Vitamin A, E, or wheat germ oil and smooth directly onto your skin. You can also add them to coconut, almond, or apricot oil, or to your toner, and apply the mixture to your skin.

Creating at-home facials is not only cost effective when money is tight, it also relieves the pressure of having to try to fit a spa appointment into a busy schedule. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of a good facial whenever your skin needs that added boost.

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