Having dry skin is never fun. Not only does it cause your foundation to look lumpy and unpolished, but it can lead to skin that appears old and dull. Luckily, there are some easy DIY recipes you can do at home to make your skin radiant and smooth all spring and summer long.
Source: Shutterstock
Soften with Milk
Milk contains lactic acid which is a great exfoliator for your skin, helping to slough away dead skin cells so that your skin is softer and renewed. This is why lactic acid is such an important ingredient in products like skin brightening creams. You can make your own lactic acid face mask with a quarter cup of powdered milk and some water so that you create a thick, creamy consistency. Apply it to your face and leave it on until it has dried, then wash it off with warm water.
Bring on the Bananas
Bananas are one of the most important ingredients you can use on your face to treat dryness. This is because their soft flesh quickly helps to moisturize your skin. But the secret weapon of bananas is that they also make your skin look more radiant instantly, thanks to their potassium content that boosts the body’s blood circulation to your skin. Simply mash up a ripe banana and leave it on your skin for about 20 minutes. It couldn’t be easier!
Avocado Face Smoother
If your skin is really dry, an avocado can help to rejuvenate it. That’s because avos contain natural oils that help to bring moisture to the skin. You can make them even more moisturizing by adding honey to the mix. All you need to do is take half a ripened avocado and mash it well, then add in a quarter cup of honey. Apply it to your face, leaving it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Freshen up with Cucumber
Cucumber is hailed as a hydrating ingredient, thanks to how it contains approximately 96 percent water! If you have dry skin, however, you want to add some moisturizing element to this refreshing, hydrating elixir. That’s where sour cream comes in. Simply mix together four tablespoons of mashed cucumber with two tablespoons of sour cream and apply it liberally to your face for 20 minutes.
Sour cream not only makes your skin smooth but it contains lactic acid to provide exfoliating benefits. And, if your skin tends to become red or irritated from being dry, add some chopped parsley to the cucumber-sour cream blend as the herb is a natural skin lightening ingredient.
Source: Shutterstock
Sweeten up with Honey
Having softer, smoother skin can be easily achieved with thick, nourishing honey. Just one teaspoon is enough! Fortify its smoothing properties by mixing it with one raw egg. Apply it to your face and sit with it for about 20 minutes before washing off. Honey is a great DIY moisturizer because it’s safe for sensitive skin. Egg white, on the other hand, is particularly good for your skin because it is a tightening agent, meaning that this recipe will smooth your skin while making fine lines less pronounced.
Superfast Moisture with Olive Oil and Sugar
When you want a really fast way to zap dryness, such as before an important work meeting or date, reach for olive oil and brown sugar. The sugar exfoliates your skin while the olive oil seeps into it, helping to lock in moisture. Mix together a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, then apply it to your skin. Take a few minutes to massage it well and then let it sit for a few more minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water afterwards.
Pack on the Smoothness
It’s worth noting that you should always finish off your DIY homemade face mask for dry skin with lashings of moisturizer, otherwise your skin will quickly dry up again. Locking in hydration by lathering on a moisturizer will seal in that goodness and help your skin stay smoother for longer. If you have a genuine interest in skincare and enjoy learning about different products, treatments, and techniques, you should consider enrolling in a skin care academy.
Source: Shutterstock
Having lustrous, supple skin doesn’t have to require a trip to the spa. By using some easy DIY recipes that make use of items you probably already have in your kitchen, you can enjoy softer skin that’s also young and beautiful.
*Guest post by Naomi Shaw. Follow Naomi on Google+.
Love these tips. More and more I hear women becoming huge fans of olive oil which is so cost effective!