Welcome back to our Self-Care during Quarantine series. If you missed our first post, you can find it here. The idea behind this series is to help you keep up with - or even begin - a self-care routine during these uncertain, anxiety-ridden times. Many of us are struggling - financially, physically, or even emotionally, and one way to help ourselves is to carve out time for self-care. Self-Care means different things to different people, but at its core, self-care is all about taking time out of each day to do something just for you, totally guilt-free.
Skincare for Self-Care
It might sound cliche, but taking care of your skin is an excellent way to indulge in a little self-care treatment. You can mindfully go through your everyday skincare routine, taking time to purposefully work through each step from cleanser to moisturizer. Gently work the products into your skin, take in their scents, and breathe deeply. You could also toss together a little DIY facial mask using ingredients you most likely already have at home. I’m a DIYer when it comes to face masks - quarantine or not - because I love getting to choose the exact ingredients that will work for my skin, in whatever condition it may be in, knowing exactly what is in my mask, and saving some money while I’m at it. There are endless combinations you could try out, but here are a few of my favorites that are worth trying while you’re stuck at home.
DIY Facials
Avocado Papaya Brightening Mask
This mask is a great choice if your skin has been looking or feeling a little dull lately. Avocado, full of those beneficial fats and brimming with antioxidants, is especially great for dry or mature skin. Raw papaya contains the enzyme papain, a physical exfoliant which works to remove dirt, debris and dead skin cells leaving bright, youthful skin. Coconut Milk is both softening and soothing, and gently removes skin impurities without drying the skin.
Try It:
1 tbsp ripe avocado, mashed
1 tbsp ripe papaya, pureed
2 tbsp coconut milk
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Apply to face in upward motions using your fingertips or a mask brush if you have one. Relax with mask for 10-15 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry to reveal fresh, glowing skin. Follow with a gentle rose hydrosol and/or facial serum.
You can use the ingredients along with ice and water maple syrup or vegan honey to make a delicious smoothie to drink as you’re resting with your mask.
Oats and Honey Moisturizing Mask
This mask is a luxurious way to hydrate your skin at home! A combination of yogurt, honey, oats and a ripe banana work together to soothe, hydrate and revitalize skin. Honey is not only an excellent skin moisturizer, acting as a humectant to trap and seal in moisture, it is also antibacterial and works to soothe dry or irritated skin. Oats add a gentle exfoliant to the mix, while also cleansing and softening skin. Bananas are particularly nourishing, and you will find them added to many home-mask DIY recipes. They are full of potassium which aids in the quest for clear, glowing skin; as well as Vitamin B6 which helps skin retain its elasticity and firmness. Yogurt contains lactic acid, a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which tightens and rejuvenates skin and refreshes the complexion.
Try It:
1 tbsp whole fat yogurt, plain (vegan yogurt)
1 tbsp honey (can use vegan honey)
1 tbsp banana, mashed
1 tbsp oats, ground
Combine ingredients and mix well. Apply and leave mask on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. Depending on how your skin feels after this one, you may even want to skip the moisturizer afterwards.
Glowing Turmeric Mask
There’s a reason everyone raves about turmeric for skin - it works! Turmeric helps keep your skin looking young and vibrant as it cleanses, calms redness, and treats acne breakouts as well as helps to fade scarring and evens out your overall skin tone. If you’re looking to restore your natural glow, this is the mask to try!
Try It:
1 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp flour (regular, rice flour, chickpea flour or even ground oats work are other options)
3 tbsp whole milk or coconut milk (yogurt would work as well)
1 tbsp honey (may use vegan honey)
Mix ingredients to create a paste-like consistency. Apply to face, careful not to let the turmeric get on your clothing, and let sit for 15-20 minutes or just before it is fully dry. Rinse off in the shower, scrubbing gently if necessary to remove. Keep in mind that turmeric can stain clothes and fabric, so do your best to keep clean. This mask should not stain your skin, however if you are left with a bit of a yellow tint after removing the mask you can use a little coconut oil to remove any yellow residue.
All of these masks should be made and used immediately, since they are used with ingredients that will not keep if saved. Remember to spot test with any of these masks, as even the most gentle of natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some skin.
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