10 Derm-Approved DIY Face Masks to Tackle All Your Skin Woes

 

Dr Kiran Kaur Sethi, Dermatologist  and Founder, Isya Aesthetics

1. The glow getter: “This mask packs in the benefits of AHAs and Vitamin C, which are great for increasing skin’s luminosity. Mix a little yoghurt with some amla powder or amla juice (two tablespoons), and half a tomato. Add one tablespoon of honey to thicken the mixture (and for extra hydration!). Swipe it on your face and wash it off after eight to 10 minutes.” 

2. The acne zapper: “Clay and natural sulphur help reduce inflammation and oil production, in turn preventing acne. Mix some fuller’s earth with soaked cabbage (it is rich in sulphur) and a pinch of cinnamon (it’s anti-inflammatory), and apply on the face and neck for 10 minutes, washing it off with lukewarm water. The result: cleaner, tighter skin”

3. The anti-aging mask: 
“This mask has natural omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, minerals and protein, which help in hydrating and tightening skin. Mix a little smashed avocado or some soaked chia seeds in buttermilk, with crushed sesame seeds, carrot juice and an egg white. Add a few drops of rosehip oil (it has Vitamin A aka retinol). Apply to your face and leave it on for 10 minutes or until it is completely dry, then wash it off to reveal smoother, tighter skin.”

4. The Dark-Spot Corrector: “Acid peels are great for correcting pigmentation, discolouration, and lightening dark spots. While you are staying in and can’t get a derm to do it for you, you can easily whip up a natural glycolic acid peel at home. All you need to do is mix two tablespoons of sugar with some water and honey. Apply this mixture on any pigmented areas, and wash it off after a few minutes. Avoid sun exposure after this mask, or wear a strong sunscreen.”

DR JAISHREE SHARAD, Cosmetic Dermatologist, Author, and CEO, Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic

5. The Brightening Mask: “If you are looking for a mask to brighten your complexion, I have a three-ingredient recipe that sloughs away dead skin, evens out skin tone, and works well for all skin types. All you need is one tablespoon of powdered red lentil (masoor dal) with a tablespoon of raw rice powder. Add honey to make a paste. Rice has brightening properties, masoor dal is a great exfoliant, and honey is a soothing agent—these three ingredients together tackle dullness and dry patches, and smoothen skin.”

6. The Skin-Clearing Mask: “If you need a quick hack for bright skin, cucumber and potatoes are two ingredients that I rely on...which are also easily available at home at all times. Cucumber has Vitamins C and K, and potatoes have AHAs, but both of them are mild and don’t leave skin irritated. Just take a little bit of cucumber and half a potato, make a paste, and apply it on your face and neck. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, to rejuvenate skin instantly.”

Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra, Dermatologist, Skin Alive

7. The blackheads banisher: “Indian kitchens are a treasure trove of home remedies and simple skincare solutions. We have a bunch of useful herbs, veggies and fruits, which the world of skincare is also exploring. We all struggle with blackheads, and if you don’t like using nose strips that can be harsh on the skin, you can use this homemade mask. Make a paste out of a few coriander leaves, and add a pinch of turmeric and a few drops lemon to it. Apply it either just on your nose, or all over your face, and leave it on for 15 minutes. This mixture is great for super-oily skin types, prone to blackheads.”

8. The Skin Refining Mask: “Saffron has healing properties, and it also helps improve one’s skin tone, leaving skin glow-ier. Soak a few strands of saffron in water overnight, then add two tablespoons of milk, a dash of powdered sugar, and one-fouth slice of bread to it. Mix everything and leave it on your face for 15 minutes. This mix of ingredients will help in hydrating and nourishing skin, and will also leave it supple and glowing.”

9. The firming mask
: "Sweating can make your skin look oily and feel saggy. To firm up, mash half a ripe banana and mix it with two tablespoons of curd and cucumber juice. 10 minutes later, your skin will feel tighter yet hydrated.”

10. The hydrating mask
: "Your skin can get dehydrated during warm months, too. To combat that, mix a little oatmeal powder with honey and a few drops of lemon and leave it on till it’s completely dry. This will instantly hydrate your skin and take care of any dry patches.”