Homemade Skin: How to Make Natural Fruit Masques

Why invest the money to pay someone for a facial when you can treat your skin - and give it a treat - with homemade, natural products? You can find dozens of ways to smooth and tone your skin with ingredients from your kitchen like fruit, oatmeal, and honey.

When using any masque, wash your face and neck before applying the mixture. Apply the fruit masque gently with your fingertips or a soft brush. Avoid the delicate area around your eyes and lips. After the product has done its work, gently wipe the solid residue from your face with a warm, wet face cloth then rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water.

Give your face a splash of cold water to tighten your pores, then finish your facial by skimming a coating of light lotion over your face. Use a lotion with an SPF rating of 15 or higher to help protect your skin from sun damage.

Peaches and Cream Complexion

This fruit masque is good for any skin type. Prepare a single serving of regular oatmeal. While it cooks, skin and puree half a ripe peach in a blender or small food processor. Add the cooked oatmeal, two tablespoons of plain yogurt, and blend well. Let the mixture cool until it is lukewarm then apply it to your face and neck. Leave it on for 5 minutes.

The alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) in peaches makes this great masque for general skin renewal. The masque helps reduce wrinkles, remove dead skin, and clean your pores. The oatmeal helps to heal irritated skin and moisturizes, as does the yogurt.

To add the benefit of antioxidants, substitute four very ripe strawberries for the peach. Test your skin in an inconspicuous place first, as some people's skin reacts to strawberries. You can substitute papaya or pineapple, which also are rich in AHA.

You may wish to add three or four drops of green tea extract to the mixture in the blender. This provides the advantage of antioxidants and buffers the AHA present in the fruit. It takes time for your skin to adjust to the increased cell turnover promoted by the acids so this buffering is especially important the first several times you use masques containing fruits with AHA.

Dry Skin Quencher

Give your skin a drink with this verdant concoction. Whip one egg yolk until frothy. Mash half of a ripe avocado and blend in the yolk. Apply the masque evenly to your face and neck. Lounge around for 20 minutes then remove the mixture.

Avocados offer your skin the antioxidant effects of Vitamin E. The proteins and fats draw moisture into your skin and plump fine lines into oblivion. Use this recipe to soothe and smooth dry skin.

Oily Skin Meringue

Beat two egg whites until they are stiff. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice and two tablespoons of flour. Mix the ingredients well and apply them to your face and neck. Lie down for 20 minutes and let the mixture work its magic.

If you have sensitive skin, substitute orange or tangerine juice for the lemon juice. They have a higher pH while still offering the benefits of their stronger cousin. Citrus juices contain high amounts of Vitamin C and citric acid. They work as astringents and, with the egg whites, tighten pores.

Banana Cream Face

Mash half a ripe banana with two tablespoons of honey and four tablespoons of sour cream. Apply the masque to your face and neck. Relax for 15 minutes then remove.

Bananas contain vitamins A, B, C, and E as well as potassium. They smooth and nourish your skin while the antioxidants purify. If your skin is oily, substitute two tablespoons of lemon or orange juice for the sour cream.

Use fresh fruit for all of these recipes. Canned or bottled fruit and juice contain sugars and preservatives that counteract some of the benefits of these homemade masques. The closer to nature your fruit masque remains, the better it is for your skin.

Pamper yourself with a great-smelling fruit masque at least once a week. Set candles around the tub and relax in a warm bath while you make your skin healthier and younger-looking. You need go only as far as your kitchen to create these natural spa treatments.

For more homemade skin and hair care ideas, check out these articles:
How to Make Homemade Body Wash
Homemade Hair: How to Treat Dry Hair Naturally
Homemade Hair: How to Treat Oily Hair Naturally