4 DIY Face Masks You Can Whip Up in Your Kitchen

Having a lazy attitude might not get you far in the workplace, but we’re firm believers that the same doesn’t have to apply in skincare. There are a time and a place for a 10-step regimen, but most days, we’re all about finding ways to get the most results from the least amount of effort possible (being real honest here). That’s why we love these DIY face masks from Adina Grigore, S.W. Basics founder and author of Skin Cleanse The Simple, All-Natural Program for Clear, Calm Happy Skin. Trying to balance your oily forehead? Reach for that brown rice flour in your pantry. Need a glow-boost? Mix Greek yogurt with honey and call it a day.

Ahead, you’ll find four face masks to treat your pressing skin issues—all without requiring you to leave your house. Keep scrolling to see them all!

Skin Feast Mask

What it does: Soaks up excess oil, balances oil production, hydrates, soothes

Ingredients: 

1 tbsp. brown rice flour

½ avocado

1 tbsp. apple juice (fresh-pressed, if possible)

Instructions: 1. In a small bowl, mash avocado with a fork and sprinkle in rice flour, stirring until you’ve created a paste. Add apple juice and stir well. Apply the mask and allow it to dry for the best results. Rinse with warm water.

Adina’s Note: “Brown rice flour is full of nutrients and soaks up excess oil. This recipe will make two or three applications but will spoil, so store in the fridge and use it quickly!”

Dessert Mask

What it does: Repairs and prevents cell damage, clears up blemishes, moisturizes

Ingredients:

4 tsp. cocoa powder

½ tsp. sea salt

2 tsp. olive oil

Instructions: Mix cocoa powder and sea salt in a small bowl, then stir in olive oil to create a paste. Apply with your fingers and leave on for as long as you’d like. Rinse carefully—this makes will stain a washcloth.

Adina’s Note: “Sea salt kills bacteria and is great for blemishes. It may start to sting over time as it works its magic. This recipe makes one or two uses and can sit out on our counter for a few days.”

Oil-Balancing Mayo Mask

What it does: Balances oil production, brightens, exfoliates

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. homemade mayonnaise (or organic, if you want to use a store-bought version)

1 tbsp. orange juice (fresh is ideal)

2 tbsp. cornflour

Instructions: In a small bowl, stir together all three ingredients slowly, making sure to fully incorporate the cornflour into the wet ingredients. Apply with your fingers and let dry. Rinse off.

Adina’s Note: “This is a great mask to use if you’re really oily! The orange juice brightens with vitamin C, and cornflour is a soft exfoliant and does an amazing job of soaking up excess oil from the skin. The corn will not melt in the solution and will be a bit grainy, so be very gentle when applying. This recipe will make about three applications, but it will spoil quickly, so store it in a sealed container in the fridge and use it within a few days.”

Pumpkin Pie Glow Mask

What it does: Removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, gently exfoliates, hydrates

Ingredients: 

¼ cup full-fat Greek yogurt

1 tbsp. raw honey

¼ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin mix)

1 tbsp. ground flaxseeds or flax meal

Instructions: In a small bowl, stir together yogurt and honey. Once the honey is fully incorporated, add in pumpkin puree and then stir in the flaxseeds. Use your fingers to apply and leave on until you feel it dry. Rinse off with warm water.

Adina’s Note: “This mask is great for removing dead skill and unclogging pores. The recipe makes a few uses; store extra in the fridge for up to a week.” 

You can buy Grigore’s book here. 

Will you try any of these DIY face masks? What beauty DIYs swear by? 

Click here to read our editor’s three-day skin cleanse experience, where she tried out two masks from Grigore’s book!