Beauty therapy

There isn’t much a good face mask can’t cure.

They’re just as amazing at taking the stress out of a rough day in the office as they are at banishing unsightly parched patches, minimising pores and zapping blemishes.

But instead of raiding Sephora for your next mask fix, you might want to look a little closer to home.

Here are five ‘recipes’ for face masks you can make right at home.

Nourishing Honey Mask

Brew one cup of chamomile tea with two tea bags and let cool completely.

In a tiny bowl, stir together one tablespoon of manuka or raw honey, and one teaspoon of nutritional yeast. Add just enough chamomile tea to the bowl to create a thicker paste that’s still runny enough to spread across your skin, but not too watery. Apply a thin layer to your face and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry. Moisturise afterward.

Toning Vinegar Mask

Using vinegar as a skin toner dates back to the time of Helen of Troy, and it’s just as effective today.

After you wash your face, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups water as a finishing rinse to cleanse and tighten your skin.

You can also create a homemade face mask by mixing 1/4 cup cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water.

Gently apply the solution to your face and let it dry.

Rinse off after 10-15 minutes.

The Breakfast Mask

This breakfast-themed mask helps calm and mattify oily skin, thanks to its mix of soothing oatmeal and tightening egg yolks. Egg whites actually contain a natural antibacterial than can help prevent clogged pores while absorbing excess oil. Combine one egg yolk, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of olive oil with half a cup of oatmeal.

Stir well, and then apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes.

Rinse with lukewarm water (make sure to use a filter for your drain or you might end up clogging your drain in the hopes of unclogging your pores) and then moisturise.

Turmeric Texture Mask

Mix ½ tsp turmeric spice powder, ½ tbsp raw and organic honey, ½ tsp milk (you could use yogurt instead), ½ tsp apple cider vinegar and 1 drop of lemon or any essential oil, such as jojoba oil in a small bowl.

Create a paste out of the mixture, consistent enough to stick to your face. Don’t make it too thin.

Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water and remove all makeup and impurities.

 Apply the mixture carefully on your facial skin, avoiding the eye regions. Let the mask sit on your face for around 20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. If you have any leftover paste, you can refrigerate it for next use.

Apply the turmeric paste twice every week to get rid of acne scars. Turmeric can easily stain clothes and other items, so don’t let it drip while using it.

Cocoa Dream Hydration Mask

There are three shining stars in this yummy, fully edible mask, and they all work wonders for your face. Avocado is extremely hydrating, cocoa is an excellent skin-soothing antioxidant, and honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Mash one quarter of an avocado in a small bowl.

Stir in one tablespoon cocoa powder and one tablespoon honey, mashing and mixing well.

Apply the mask to your clean, dry skin for 10 minutes.

Wash off with warm water, then moisturise as per usual.