We admit it, by February, we’re kind of over winter. By now, the holidays are over, the snow has turned dingy, and the weather seems to have sucked all the moisture out of our skin.
But even us bubble babes who live in the south have some time before it’s truly spring. Floridians still have frozen iguanas falling from the trees. Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, they’re okay.
In the meantime, our skin is starting to resemble that of the frozen iguanas, so we’ve gathered up some DIY face masks formulas that can fix all of our skin woes. Not only are they nourishing for winter skin, but they’re full of everyday items that we already have in the kitchen.
The Magic of Oatmeal
Oatmeal is pretty amazing. We all know it’s a healthy breakfast option, but it’s also amazing for winter skin. Oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe itchy, dry, and irritated skin.
Oatmeal is so good for your skin that you can create a face mask using just oatmeal to both cleanse and moisturize. Just take 2-3 tablespoons of rolled oats and process them in a food processor or even a coffee grinder to form an oatmeal powder. Then, add just enough hot water to form a paste and cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, apply to the face and neck and massage gently into the skin. Let the paste dry for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.
Honey for Sweet Skin
Raw honey is packed with skin-soothing goodness. Its natural antibacterial properties are an effective acne fighter. In addition, it works to heal skin cells to reduce inflammation and speed healing, especially from acne scars.
Raw honey also works as a natural exfoliant, revealing bright, glowing skin and removing dead skin cells. Lastly, honey is a salve for dry winter skin. A natural humectant, honey can prevent moisture loss and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
A simple honey-based face mask just needs two ingredients: honey and cinnamon. Mix three parts honey to one part cinnamon, and briefly warm the mixture in the microwave (15 seconds should be plenty) so it’s easier to apply. Gently smooth over clean skin and sit 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Firm Up Your Skin with Egg Whites
Egg whites are nutritional powerhouses full of essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and folate. In addition, egg whites can tighten and firm aging skin and clarify pores.
For a pore-cleaning, skin-tightening DIY face mask, mix up one egg white, one tablespoon of white sugar, and two teaspoons of corn starch. Apply the mixture to your face, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, slowly and gently peel the mask off, revealing clearer, firmer skin. Finish by rinsing with warm water.
There are hundreds of ways you can treat yourself without any expensive spa visits, and mixing up the perfect kitchen face mask, grabbing a new novel, and then sinking into a warm bath seems like the ideal way to beat the winter blues.