You can use basic ingredients found around the house to make your own simple, hydrating masks. If you have oily or acne prone skin, mud or clay-based masks are great for balancing out your skin. Dry skin will benefit from hydrating masks made from glycerin, honey and oils. Ginseng or green tea masks are great for soothing skin.
Masks (homemade or otherwise) should stay on for 10-15 minutes, should follow with a cleansing and a thin layer of moisturizer.
Here are recipes we've gathered over the years arranged by skin type.
All Skin Types
Homemade Clay Mask for All Skin TypesThis clay mask will make skin super soft.
Yogurt Face Mask for All Skin Types
This refreshing face mask is made up of only 2 ingredients.
Oatmeal and Yogurt Mask for All Skin Types
This is a great basic face mask that includes just 3 basic ingredients.
Natural skin brightener recipe from India (July 2008 Cosmopolitan Magazine) Mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder in 1 cup of plain yogurt. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off.
Homemade 'Cat Litter' Mask for All Skin Types
We got this recipe off a TV show years ago. The beauty expert (Diane Irons) swore cat litter is made of the same ingredients as special clays found in $100 spa facials. We tried this and loved it.
Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
Banana Mask for Oily Skin This recipe requires super-ripe bananas and a bit of honey.
Homemade Juice Mask for Oily Skin
Strawberry and lemon juice contain natural astringents.
Green Clay Mask for Oily Skin Types
This clay mask will help draw out excess sebum from pores.
Homemade Clay Mask for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Clay masks help neutralize skin. You can pick up clay from any health-food store.
Simple Mask for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
Recipe adapted from Paula Begoun's 'The Beauty Bible.'
Combination Skin
Homemade Face Mask for Combination SkinA rose-based mask is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.
Dry, Chapped Skin
Homemade Face Mask for Dry SkinAvocados and honey are particularly moisturizing.
Homemade Milk Mask for Dry Skin
Natural exfoliate for all skin types Mix a tiny amount of brown sugar with olive oil in your palm. Once it turns into a paste, massage into your face. Cure chapped lips by mixing brown sugar with honey and massaging into lips. (Lena Korres, founder of Korres Natural Products, and makeup artist Jemima Kidd, in the July 2008 issue of Cosmo)
Aging Skin
Homemade Face Mask for Aging Skin
Homemade Face Mask for Dry Skin
Avocados and honey are particularly moisturizing for mature skin.
Sensitive Skin
Homemade Face Mask for Sensitive SkinThis soothing mask is great for chapped, sunburned or irritated skin.

