5 DIY Face Masks for Oily Skin That Works.
Get the experience at home. Thank me later.
By Adetoun Adeyemo. March 29th, 2020. 9:00am.
As the weather gets hotter, we know we can count on one thing: a oily skin and dark complexion. When the seasons change, the humidity is high, making it more difficult to keep skin hydrated. Turning up the cold at home doesn’t help us, either. This hot weather often comes with flaky patches, oily, redness, and sensations of burning or tightness that regular lotion can’t touch.
To prevent or fix this, we need to add more nourishing, sunscreen moisturizing base steps to our skincare routine. The first order of business is applying a hydrating mask two to three times per week to control the inevitable oily face out. Here are four DIY recipes you can try this summer for smoother, more youngful appearance, plumper, more comfortable skin.
For oily skin, bentonite clay—an absorbent type of clay formed from aged volcanic ash—can be effective and soothing, “The clay will literally suck the oil out.” It contains green tea and Epsom salts, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Make the mask: Steep 1 cup of green tea at least 5 minutes. Scoop 2 tablespoons of tea into a bowl (be careful if the tea is still hot). Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salts in the tea in the bowl. Mix in about 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay and stir until you have a smooth paste. Spread the paste evenly over your skin. You can enjoy the remaining cup of tea as you relax with your mask. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before removing it with warm water.
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to use simple ingredients that are unlikely to irritate a delicate complexion. Dr. Day recommends combining her favorite skin-soothing ingredients: hydrating cucumber, nourishing honey, antioxidant-rich black tea, and a drop or two of an essential oil like lavender, calendula, or sandalwood—all of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Nervous that you’ll have a reaction? “If you want to check for sensitivity or for allergies, you can test the ingredient on the inside of your forearm,” suggests Dr. Day.
Make the mask: Cut a baby cucumber into very thin slices and set aside. In a small pot, steep 1 cup of black tea for at least 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir until dissolved. Add the cucumber slices. If desired, add one or two drops of essential oil. Let the cucumber soak for at least 10 minutes. Scoop the cucumber from the pot and place slices evenly over your face. Leave the slices on for 10 to 20 minutes before removing. Rinse your face with warm water.
Another good choice for acne-prone skin is a mask with alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), according to Dr. Shamban. AHAs are chemical compounds that gently slough away dead skin cells on your face (popular ones include salicylic and glycolic acids).
She recommends her own blueberry-yogurt mask recipe (below), which she tweaked to include honey. The blueberries and yogurt in this recipe are natural sources of AHAs. Honey has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, so it soothes skin while fighting acne-causing bacteria. The rice flour in this recipe gives the mask its structure, explains Dr. Shamban.
Make the mask: Mash 1/3 cup of blueberries with 2 tablespoons of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of rice floor, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes, before rinsing with warm water.
“Oatmeal is a natural moisturizer that also reduces skin irritation and inflammation,” says Dr. Shainhouse. That makes it perfect for sensitive skin.
Oatmeal also contains saponins, which are like natural soaps that can gently remove excess oil. When combined with skin-nourishing honey and yogurt, this mask offers mild exfoliation, cleansing, and moisturizing benefits.
Make the mask: Stir together equal parts plain cooked oatmeal, plain full-fat yogurt, and honey. About 1 teaspoon of each is enough for a mask. Spread evenly over your face and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
Additional Tips
- Use a gel-based or foaming cleanser to clean your face 2 to 3 times in a day to remove accumulated oil and dirt.
- Use an alcohol-free facial toner every day for regulating sebum production.
- Always apply a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Lack of moisture will encourage the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil.
- Always wear a sunscreen when stepping out. Learn how to make your own homemade sunscreen here.
- Avoid eating sugary foods and drink lots of water throughout the day to flush out toxins.
- Eat lots of green vegetables and fruits as they naturally help regulate oil production.
