Wearing your smoothie.
Recently I uploaded a post on my Instagram featuring a face mask which sparked a lot of curiosity. Before you ask, it was definitely not excess green smoothie I had left over from that morning but it was however made in the kitchen.
You may be aware that the largest organ on our body is our skin, and it’s also normally the very first thing to let me know when something internally is not quite right. Often if my training load increases or if I’m stressed, I’ll break out. Now I’m not referring to the one or two spots your best friend with perfectly clear skin complains about around that time of the month. I’m talking about the army of pimples that launches an ambush invasion attack overnight.
Aside from being diligent and maintaining a good regular skin routine, I’ll often pencil in a time once or twice a week to give my face a bit of TLC and use a natural DIY mask to minimise bacteria and other daily pollutants from training and work that have settled on my skin.
Here are my top three DIY face masks for you to try at home.
Sweet matcha and honey face mask.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp manuka honey
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tablespoon matcha powder
Directions: Combine all ingredients and mix until a paste is formed. Apply over your face using gentle and circular movements for 1-2 minutes, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Note: If you don’t have matcha powder available, you can substitute green tea. Warming the honey up for a few seconds in the microwave makes it easier to mix and apply.
2. Anti-inflammatory turmeric and yoghurt face mask.
Ingredients:
1 tsp manuka honey
1 tbsp greek yoghurt (full fat, unflavoured)
1 tsp turmeric
Directions: Mix all ingredients and cover face with the paste, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Use cotton pads to apply the paste to prevent staining your fingers. Allow the mask to set for 10-15 minutes before removing with a washcloth.
Note: If a yellowish tint remains, it can be removed with a gentle toner.
3. Aloe and almond exfoliating face mask
Ingredients:
2 tbsp greek yoghurt (full fat, unflavoured)
1 tbsp natural coconut oil
1 tbsp almond meal
3 tbsp natural aloe vera gel
Directions: Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Apply to your face avoiding the mouth and eyes. Leave on for 20 minutes before removing with warm water.
Note: Yoghurt and aloe vera gel contain anti-bacterial properties whilst the almond meal will gently exfoliate.