7 DIY Face Masks — Easy, Natural Recipes For Glowing Skin

There's no easy way to get through the uncertain and unprecedented experience of COVID-19—full stop. But if you can find joy in small, comforting rituals or treats, we think it's worth trying. So for our beauty fans out there, why not try these DIY face masks you can source from your kitchen? Not only are they incredibly easy—all are five ingredients or less—they're deeply nurturing for your skin, too. Whipping them together may make you feel like a kid again, experimenting in the kitchen, getting dirty, and slathering food all over your face (the nostalgia alone is enough to pull you in.) While you're at it, maybe turn it into a full spa experience.

To make this fruit-forward treatment, blend together equal parts yogurt, blueberries, and raspberries, with the additional drop of lavender oil if you choose (see the full instructions here). Then simply slather it on your face. It's a one-time-use-only thing, as it doesn't contain preservatives, so feel free to use it all up. Oh, and if you're afraid this sounds messy, don't worry: Enzymes are actually activated by heat, so we recommend wearing it while you shower, anyway.

If you want to make this acne-soothing mask, first chop up some parsley (about a handful will do). Mix the parsley with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar and a spoonful of yogurt. Mix it thoroughly, apply to affected areas on the face or body, and wash off after 20 minutes. (Read the full instructions here.) The parsley gets some help from the apple cider vinegar's AHA properties, as well as the yogurt's probiotics, which help balance the skin's microbiome.

For this mask, whisk together 3 parts oatmeal to 1 part matcha. Add a few drops of water and mix until it becomes a paste. Apply it and let it set for about 10 minutes. (Read our full instructions here.) Bonus: If you add a few drops of oil to the mix, it will hydrate skin, too.

This one is about as easy as you can get: Puree cucumber slices, apply to skin for a few minutes, and rinse. After rinsing off the mask, however, be sure to use an occlusive agent like a cream or oil to seal in the moisture, as the water on the skin can evaporate, leaving you drier than before. It will be instant relief for red skin, thanks to its high water content as well as antioxidants.

Another one-ingredient option: Manuka honey. Perhaps you've heard all about the healing benefits of the special honey: It's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and contains polyphenols1 to nurture your skin barrier. All you have to do is apply an even layer of the liquid and wash it off after 10 minutes. (Read up on the skin-healing benefits of Manuka honey, here.)

To make this cocktail-like mask, mash 2 to 4 mint leaves, and mix with 2 parts honey, 2 parts aloe gel, and a few sprays of rose water. You can leave this on for up to 20 minutes. (Read more, here.) It's pretty ahhh-inducing.

This mask takes a few extra ingredients, but its moisturizing abilities are worth it if you can gather all the parts: In a blender combine 1 cup yogurt, a third of a banana, half an avocado, 2 spoonfuls of aloe vera, and 1 spoonful of olive oil. Blend until smooth. (Read more here.) You can also apply this to your hair and scalp, making this an allover hydrating experience.