When hearing the word "Spa", you may think of a plush bathrobe or aromatherapy. For me, its the image of me lounging in the shade and a face mask with cucumbers on my lids. With so many big brand products on the market claiming to have the "secret sauce" for glowing healthy skin, it can get confusing and frustrating making investments on products that either backfire causing breakouts or cost you your left hand to buy. 

Before diving into how to create your own spa-like experience, let's talk about how and why you may be struggling to find the perfect mask. First and foremost, we're all different! Big brands generalize toward the market they have success in and in most cases, it depends on trends. Let's be real here...AIN’T NOTHING GENERAL ABOUT US! We all have different genetics and body chemistry meaning we process everything differently in both our internal and external environments. 

If you receive consistent breakouts, have oily/shiny skin, dry/flaky skin or just straight up have sensitive skin, these "Generalized" products may be harming you more than helping. Our advice, always choose natural. And no, not the $2100 one (unless that's the one that does the trick, more power to you!) instead use real, natural, one-time use masks that can be prepared with ingredients from your kitchen and garden.

First and foremost, establish which type of skin you have. For the most part, there are 4 which you may be familiar with if you shop for masks on the regular. Check out our "The Skin You're In" post to learn more!

OILY / DRY / COMBINATION / SENSITIVE

The 5th category which was not listed above is what we're trying to get and that's "NORMAL SKIN"; whatever that means. As mentioned before, we are all different and have specific needs in order to have clear, glowing skin. Now that we know what kind of skin we have, let's work our way toward that goal! 

Before whipping up your special blend, please keep in mind that none of these are going to magically clear up your skin overnight. If anything, depending on which one you try/the type of skin you have, the masks just MIGHT do the opposite and bring up impurities from deep below the surface (which is a GOOD THING!). With proper hydration, healthy diet and a solid AM/PM routine, the journey to radiant skin will unfold majestically. 

OILY SKIN

If your skin is oily, it is because your body is making up for lost hydration. So we want to apply a mask that deeply hydrates the skin to allow it to become supple perfection.

Banana + Honey + Lemon Mask

1 Ripe Banana, Mashed

1 TBSP Honey

Lemon Juice

Mix all of the ingredients together using a fork and apply to your face and neck for 10-15 minutes. Remove with warm water. Mist with a natural toner like Rose Water or Witch Hazel and apply a breathable moisturizer. Try to avoid extremely heavy creams that could potentially block your pores and cause more breakouts.

DRY SKIN

Once again, you're more than likely skipping out on moisturizer and not drinking enough water. Dry skin can be irritable in all senses of the word between being itchy, tight or just plain uncomfortable. Let's rehydrate and bring some elasticity back!

Avocado + Aloe Vera + Oats

1/2 Avocado, Mashed Up

Aloe Vera Pulp, Mashed Up

2 TBSP Oats

Combine together using a fork until smooth. Apply to your face and neck for 10-15 minutes. Remove using warm water and apply a natural toner like Rose Water or Witch Hazel and apply a hydrating moisturizer. 

COMBINATION SKIN

Ah, yes, the most common skin type, Combination. You're oily, you're dry, you have AMAZING days where there isn't a blemish in sight and there are days where you want to wear a bag over your head with eyes cut out. Battling the extremes of oily and dry skin is a tough road but believe us when we say, IT GETS BETTER! One thing is for sure in balancing out our skin to "normal" is internal hydration. The more water you drink the more hydrated your skin. This trick alone can help clear up a list of problems no mask needed! However, on the days that need some extra TLC, give this mask a try.

Rose + Yogurt + Honey Mask

2 TBPS Rose Water

1 tsp Dried Rose Petals

1 TBSPHoney

2 TBSP Greek Yogurt, Plain

Combine all ingredients together and apply to your face and neck for 10-15 minutes. Remove with warm water, apply a natural toner like Rose Water or Witch Hazel and moisturize with a breathable moisturizer.

SENSITIVE SKIN

Do you find your skin getting irritated easily and sometimes for what feels like no reason whatsoever? You probably fall in this category. Having sensitive skin is extremely difficult to maintain and finding products that wont harm your precious face and neck can feel never ending. In protecting yourself against rashes and breakouts, try this mask and the following tips;

Oatmeal + Yogurt + Honey Mask

2 tsp Cup Oatmeal

2 TBSP Yogurt

1 tsp Honey

Combine the ingredients together and apply to your face and neck for 10-15 minutes. Remove with warm water and pat dry. Apply natural toner like Rose Water or Witch Hazel and a gentle moisturizer.

ALL SKIN TYPES

Hopefully the masks above are helpful in one way or another. We like treating ourselves to a mask at least once a week, maybe twice if we feel called to do so. Let us know which ones worked for you and if you have any special mixtures you like to make! Additionally, every skin type should follow these tips to keep healthy and happy clear skin. 

• Free + Clear Laundry Soap - Many BIG brands have artificial dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can be contributing to the struggle of clear skin.

• Change your Pillow Case - Just a few times a week should do the trick.

• Wear Natural Sunscreen - Every skin type should do this to protect from harmful UV rays.

• Stay Toned - Keep a small bottle of witch hazel, rose water, or aloe water available for misting throughout the day.

On our personal journeys to healthy, happy, glowing lifestyles, self care is ALWAYS the first step. Taking the extra time to reflect on ourselves, mentally clearing any clutter of negativity, self-doubt, and stress before moving toward physical maintenance makes the experience all the more fruitful. Happy healing to you all!