Ten Best Homemade Face Masks for Acne

Using a face mask regularly can bring a drastic improvement in the health of your skin and make it look youthful and flawless. There are so many face masks available in the market that it can become confusing to find the perfect one. I believe in using homemade face masks for keeping my skin soft and healthy. We have already talked about homemade face masks for dull skin and homemade face masks for oily skin and now it is time to talk about best homemade face masks for acne.

Breakouts usually denote your skin’s warning that something is wrong inside. Rise in certain hormone levels, dirt-clogged pores and oil secretion are a few among many causes of acne. Hiding them underneath makeup or using store bought creams and lotions might seem like an easy fix but in the process, you damage your skin, often in an irreversible way.

Mother Nature’s cures, on the other hand, are gentler on your skin and lighter on your pocket. So take a little time off your busy schedule and treat your acne to these tried and tested homemade face masks.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. Before you apply a mask, make sure your skin is thoroughly clean and your pores are open.
2. Use steam in place of hot water to open your pores.
3. Boil water, transfer it to a bowl and let it cool for 2-3 minutes. Place your face over the bowl and cover your head and the bowl with a towel to trap the steam inside. Do this for 5-10 minutes.
4. Follow with the mask.
5. Do ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients used in a particular mask by performing a patch test. Your face is a sensitive area so try to avoid too much experimentation and stick to what suits you for sure.

COMMONLY USED INGREDIENTS IN FACE MASKS TO TREAT ACNE:

1. Aloe Vera:

This is one miracle plant which has highly effective antimicrobial, skin-healing and scar-fading properties that help reduce acne and scars. You can use it in almost any mask, irrespective of the other ingredients. A word of caution – this plant has thorns which you must completely remove and use only the gel inside. Otherwise, it tends to irritate the skin.

2. Honey:

This amber liquid has been valued since the ancient Egyptian era for its antibiotic and healing properties. Honey is not just useful for treating acne and healing damaged skin, it also acts as an effective moisturizer and is highly recommended for dry skin with oily patches. Raw honey works best. But if you can’t get your hands on it, processed honey is better than no honey at all!

3. Yogurt/Lemon Juice/Apple Cider Vinegar:

Very commonly used in masks, these ingredients are acidic and act as astringent. They help in absorbing excess oil while balancing the pH levels of the skin. You can use any of these based on what suits your skin. However, some of you might be sensitive to any/all of these, so do a patch test (on your face and not your hands) before going all in. Also, do not go overboard with acidic ingredients.

4. Essential oils:

Gaining widespread popularity over the past few years, essential oils have major skin benefitting properties. The most commonly used are lavender and tea tree oils. While both have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that make it highly effective in treating acne and reducing inflammations, lavender oil has an added advantage of a delightful fragrance that stays on for hours after you have washed off the mask.

5. Natural clay/Egg White/Sandalwood Powder:

All the three ingredients have one thing in common – they have exceptional oil absorbing properties. If you have dry skin, steer clear of these. Conversely, ladies with oily skin – add any of these to any homemade face masks for acne and watch the oil disappear!

**A special mention: One of my friends suggested Colgate toothpaste dissolved in a little water as a magical cure for scars and spots left after acne has died down. Keep in mind that the toothpaste should be of the usual variant and not gel, active salt or other varieties.

TEN BEST HOMEMADE FACE MASKS FOR ACNE:

It is not necessary to follow a specific recipe for making homemade face masks for acne. Every skin has different needs. The ingredients listed above and below may be mixed in the proportions that suit you. In all cases, apply these masks 3-4 times a month only.

1. Green Tea, Honey, Lemon, Sugar:

• 1 tablespoon of green tea (powder or teabag)
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 3 teaspoons of sugar (preferably brown)

Mix all the ingredients and rub the paste all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows) for 1-2 minutes in a slow circular motion. Leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

2. Turmeric, Raw Milk/ Yogurt, Rice Flour, Honey:

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons of rice flour
• 3 tablespoons of raw milk/ yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

Mix all ingredients to form a smooth paste and apply all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth and eyebrows) using a cosmetic brush or cotton balls to avoid staining your fingers. Leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water and pat dry with a soft towel.

*In case of a yellow tint remaining, you can use apple cider vinegar mixed with water or a gentle toner to remove it. It is a good face mask for acne scars.

3. Cinnamon, Honey, Aloe Vera:

• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 inch of fresh aloe vera plant (only the inside gel) or 2 teaspoons of aloe vera juice.

Mix all the ingredients of this cinnamon and honey mask and rub the paste all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows) for 1 minute in a slow circular motion, using a cosmetic brush or cotton balls to avoid staining your fingers. Leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

This is the best face mask for acne if you have normal skin as it is powerful and prevents further acne breakouts also.

4. Apple cider vinegar, honey, baking soda:

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix all the ingredients and apply the paste all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth and eyebrows). Leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Baking soda is commonly used in making a face mask for blackheads as it exfoliates the skin and leaves it smooth.

5. Clay, Apple Cider Vinegar, Essential Oil:

• 1 tablespoon of clay (I use Multani Mitti/Fuller’s earth)
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 to 2 drops of essential oil (I use lavender)

Mix all the ingredients and apply the paste all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows) using a cosmetic brush or cotton balls to avoid staining your fingers. Let it air dry for 30 minutes. Wash off with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.

*If your skin is sensitive then wash off after 10-15 minutes. *This apple cider vinegar face mask is for oily skin as clay absorbs oil. Hence, avoid this mask if you have normal to dry skin as it may dry out your skin too much.

6. Egg White, Lemon Juice, Honey:

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey

Whisk the ingredients to form a smooth blend and apply it all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows). Leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

*This mask is for oily skin as egg white dries the skin. If you have normal to dry skin, opt for another mask.

7. Orange Peel, Oatmeal, Milk:

• 1 orange peel (you can also use peel powder)
• 1 tablespoon of oatmeal
• 4 tablespoons of milk

Put the ingredients into a food processor or grinder to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows). Leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

8. Cucumber, Sugar, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil:

• 2 whole cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 inch of fresh aloe vera plant (only the inside gel) or 2 teaspoons of aloe vera juice
• 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil

Mash the cucumbers and strain the water. Add the sugar and oil and apply this to your face (excluding the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows). Leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with cold water and pat dry with a soft towel.

*This mask is the most soothing of all the ones listed out here and suits most skin types. You can use this mask even if you don’t have acne, once or twice a week.

9. Papaya, Honey, Lemon Juice, Sandalwood Powder:

• ½ cup ripe papaya
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder

Mash the papaya and mix all the other ingredients to form a smooth paste. Apply all over your face (excluding the eyes, mouth and eyebrows). Leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with cold water and pat dry with a soft towel. You can try this recipe for blackheads also as it is an effective face mask for blackheads.

*This mask is a great homemade face mask for acne and oily skin also as sandalwood powder has drying properties. If you have normal to dry skin, make the mask without the powder.

10. Yeast, Milk, Yoghurt, Honey, Flour:

• 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
• 4 tablespoons of warm milk (you should be able to dip your finger in it)
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of flour

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for 2 minutes. You should be able to see the liquid froth up which indicates that the yeast is active. If no frothing occurs, throw away the mixture and start afresh. Add the rest of the ingredients to the active yeast to form a smooth paste and use this homemade face mask for blackheads twice a week. Apply it all over your face and neck (excluding the eyes, mouth and eyebrows). Let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

*Yeast has a pungent smell which most of you might not like. Nevertheless, this mask leaves the skin really soft and refreshed so if you are not allergic to any of the ingredients, do try it out once.

AFTER YOU FINISH USING THE HOMEMADE FACE MASKS FOR ACNE:

1. Whenever you use warm water to wash off the homemade face masks for acne, follow with cold water to close the pores.
2. Do not use any face wash, cleanser, toner, etc. to remove the homemade face mask for oily skin or immediately afterward.
3. If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturizer after 15 minutes.

A FEW POINTERS WHILE USING HOMEMADE FACE MASKS FOR ACNE:

• Use organic ingredients in your homemade face masks for acne as far as possible.
• Cleanse your skin from the inside. Include leafy greens, vegetables, and vitamins in your diet. Make sure you drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
• Clean your pillowcases and bed sheets. This prevents daily pollutants, dead skin cells, and oils from accumulating on your bedding. Constant contact with dirty bedding clogs pores in turn leading to breakouts.
• Stress is another reason for acne. Your skin, just like other organs of your body, needs rest. Ensure 8 hours of sleep if you are wondering how to remove pimples naturally.
• Natural remedies require patience in so much as the results show up after a considerable amount of time. As such, the urge to use chemicals for instant home remedies for acne overnight is too high, but if you do stick with the former, it will benefit you in the long run.