I'm sure you all, from time to time, throw some fruit, yogurt and powders into your Vitamix for a quick healthy breakfast.  Some of you might even be on board this adaptogen craze that seems to be everywhere you turn these days, adding turmeric, camu camu, tocos or Ashwahganda (a few of my personal favorites) too.  Whatever you use, the mindset is the same.  You're trying to drink something healthy that's good for your body. 

But have you ever stopped to think if this deliciously healthy morning beverage might be good on your skin?

Did you know that making a facial mask at home was as simple as making a smoothie?!  Well, it is! With a few of the right ingredients, many you already own, you can whip up a very effective treatment mask that can address any skincare concern you might have.

The majority of smoothie or tonic ingredients are often found in organic skincare as well.  Just take a peak at your favorite serum or moisturizer and you're sure to recognize an ingredient or two from your kitchen.  I think we're all familiar with the concept that food can be internally healing, so I'm sure it's not mind-blowing to apply this principal to topical application.

Now professional formulations will always be a necessity due to their potent and result driven ingredients, that is, assuming you're buying the right ones.  I can't imagine you happen to have swiss apple stem cells or hexapeptide-8 hiding in your kitchen cupboards. So be sure, in addition to a DIY mask here and there, you're still using your professional products as well.  Think of the DIY mask as a fun supplement to your normal skincare routine.

The most important thing you need to do is listen to your skin.  

Just because you love charcoal and clay masks for their detoxifying properties, doesn't mean that you necessarily need to be doing them everyday. If your skin seems dry or tight after doing a mask, follow it up with something more moisturizing.

Okay, now for the fun stuff! Below is a list of some of my favorite mask ingredients along with a base recipe.  There really isn't a wrong way to do this.  I've included troubleshooting tips in there too.

I've streamlined this for simplicity and created categories of base ingredients by concern. Your mask can consist of as many Base Ingredients as you like.  I tend to go for two or three.  These should, together, be around a 1-2 Tablespoons worth of ingredients.  Some of these ingredients are in liquid form.  When mixing ingredients, keep consistency in mind.  If you're adding liquid to thin out the consistency of your mask, be sure to only add 1/2 teaspoon at a time.  If your mask has too much liquid, it'll run everywhere and get into your eyes.  Try bulking it up with Powders (see below). 

Once well mixed, apply generously to your skin and leave on 10-30 minutes.  I like the mask to fully dry on the skin.  To remove, I recommend doing this in the shower, rehydrate the mask with damp finger tips and manipulate it, in circular motions as you would a face scrub, then rinse with water. Voila!  Beautiful glowing skin! 

Clarifying & Purifying

Activated Charcoal - Super detoxifying.  This will help draw out impurities and toxins in the skin. It comes in capsule or powder form.  I like these capsules from Nature's Way because I take them internally as well, on nights when I've had one too many glasses of wine, and Terrasoul Superfoods makes this powder which looks awesome for mask mixing.

Probiotics - Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.  I LOVE PROBIOTICS!  This is my secret to treating breakouts.  Bio K Plus liquid is my favorite for topical use.  Check out this blog post to learn all about the benefits of probiotics.

Clay - Great for drawing out impurities in the skin.  Rhassoul Clay remineralizes the skin and helps relieve dryness and flakiness associated with healing blemishes.  Kaolin Clay helps to absorb excess oil.  Fullers Earth heals blemishes, helps to reduce pigmentation and provides light exfoliation.

Oatmeal - Rich in 'saponins' that remove dirt from pores and full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants.

Clarifying Liquids

Hemp Oil - High in Linoleic Acid, this incredibly cleansing oil with a ZERO comedogenic rating helps to balance the skin and prevent the causes of acne. I love Nutiva's organic cold pressed option. 

Colloidal Silver - This is my version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Windex. It's a cure-all great for any topical irritation, from acne to sunburns.  It comes in both liquid and gel form.  Both work great in masks!  I'm partial to American Biotech's Silver Biotics products.

Moisturizing

Avocado - High in Oleic Acid, this delicious fruit creates an incredibly moisturizing base to any mask.  A great use for over ripe or bruised avocados.  If your opting to use the oil, just be mindful that it's a three on the comedogenic scale.

Moisturizing Liquids

Almond Oil - This moisturizing and regenerating oil is also soothing and is great for dry, acneic skin.

Olive Oil - Rich in squalene, this incredibly nourishing and antioxidant oil isn't just for salads!

Soothing

Probiotics - Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. I LOVE PROBIOTICS! This is my secret to treating any topical irritation.  Bio K Plus liquid is my favorite for topical use.  Check out this blog post to learn all about the benefits of probiotics.

Oatmeal - Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant helps sooth irritated skin.  Look for colloidal oatmeal which is finely ground.

Aloe Vera - Soothing gel or liquid.

Pink Clay - This gentle clay is great for sensitive skin.

Soothing Liquids

Chamomile Tea - This antioxidant rich tea soothes and brightens skin.

Colloidal Silver - This is my version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Windex.  It's a cure-all great for any topical irritation, from acne to sunburns.  It comes in both liquid and gel form. Both work great in masks!  I'm partial to American Biotech's Silver Biotics products.

Firming

Mangosteen - Antioxidant, antimicrobial, high in Vitamin C and full of 'Xanthone compounds' that help repair damaged skin cells.  Its firming benefits can be noticed from topical use or ingesting.  Be sure to use the whole fruit, skin included.

Egg Whites - Astringent properties help tighten pores and firm skin.

Gotu Kola - Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory wound healing, promotes improved blood flow while improving firmness and elasticity.

Firming Liquid

Gotu Kola - They make a tea! 

Exfoliating & Brightening

Pumpkin - Antioxidant high in Vitamin A & C, pumpkin is packed with fruit enzymes and AHA which promote cell turnover and brighten the skin.

Yogurt - High in Lactic Acid, yogurt is an excellent natural exfoliator. I suggest using sheep or goat milk yogurt for masks since it's naturally more enzymatic. ALWAYS USE PLAIN YOGURT.

Papaya - High in Vitamin A and filled with the enzyme 'papain' along with AHA's it's a great exfoliant.  Be sure to use the whole fruit, skin included.

Tomato - High in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Great for brightening and tightening.  Be sure to use the whole fruit, skin included.

Brightening Liquids

Rice Water - Rich in minerals, antioxidants and Vitamin B and E, along with 'pitera' a natural by-product of yeast fermentation that peak the skin's rejuvenating process.  Soak one cup rinsed uncooked rice in two cups water for 30 mins.  Retain and use the milky liquid.

Fruit Acids (Apple, Lemon, Grape) - These fruit juices are full of brightening acids and AHA's.

Powders

Consider these as part of your Base options.  These antioxidant, mineral and vitamin rich powders tend to work for all skin types.  Think of them as a power boost for your mask.

My favorite thing about using these powders as masks is that when you rehydrate your mask to remove it, it turns into a gentle scrub, lightly exfoliating your skin as you wash it off.  TWO-IN-ONE MULTITASKING ACTION!!! 

Full disclosure: I'm a little addicted to buying powdered "potions."  From greens powders to ancient Chinese herbs, I can't get enough!  I'm constantly adding to my collection of tonic herbal blends that I put into smoothies and tea.  It's the closest I get to feeling "witchy," which was definitely a childhood aspiration right up there with being a marine biologist or a vet.  A little of this, a pinch of that and I've thrown together a magic potion that isn't just healthy but healing. I love it!

Here are a few of my favorite products and brands:

Terrasoul

This company makes a bunch of organic and sustainably sourced superfood powders.  I personally love their Camu Camu powder and end up adding it to all of my masks for a Vitamin C boost but they make a bunch of great options.

Camu Camu - This nutrient dense superfood contains the highest natural source of Vitamin C of any plant on Earth!  Vitamin C helps combat and prevent UV photo damage and plays a major role in collagen synthesis, making it a great anti-aging ingredient.

Spirulina - Rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and carotenoids, Spirulina neutralizes harmful free radicals that contribute to premature aging.

Turmeric - Full of potent anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps to calm skin, clear up blemishes and can help reduce pigmentation.

Matcha - This culinary grade green tea powder is a major antioxidant and powerful detoxifier. Topically, matcha is great for treating breakouts or boosting any DIY mask's free radical fighting power.

Amla - Made from the Gooseberry, Amla is another great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  Used topically, it's fantastic skin lightener in addition to it's cleansing properties and stimulates microcirculation in the skin.  It's also amazing in hair care to enhance softness and shine, stimulate hair growth and ward off grayness.  

Amina Mundi

Liver Vitality & Daily Green Cleanser - This is one of my favorite powders to use for masks, not to mention my go-to liver cleanser!  It's fairly stimulating and leaves your skin glowing!  It's full of vitamins, minerals, all of the essential amino acids, antioxidants, chlorophyll and tens of thousands of photo-nutrients making it a powerhouse of skin benefits.  If you're only going to purchase one powder add-in, I highly recommend getting these greens!  Heads up, you will be flushed after using this mask. Don't be alarmed!  That pink skin is pumped with oxygen rich blood filled with skin nutrients. In 15 minutes, it'll soften into the most perfect glow.

Mangosteen Hibiscus Beauty Tonic - Mangosteen is full of anti-aging properties while Hibiscus is a natural source of Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHA's).  Together they make an awesome beautifying duo, firming and refining the skin.  Plus, it makes a delicious beverage!

Moon Deli 

Meditation Tonic - Red Reishi, Gotu Kola, Schisandra. This adaptogenic skin food blend is anti-microbial and calms inflammation.  All three ingredients are known for their anti-aging, free radical fighting and anti-inflammatory properties making it an especially potent mask addition.

Raw Organic honey is one of the most amazing things you can put on your skin, no matter what your skin type.  Raw honey contains 22 amino acids, 27 minerals - including iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and selium, 5,000 enzymes, Vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin.  It soothes irritation, packed full of anti-aging antioxidants, naturally healing antibacterial properties make it great for addressing acne and it boosts your complexion leaving you with glowing skin.  

Add 1 Tablespoon of honey ( a 1:1 ratio of honey and base ingredients) to all of your masks for nutrient rich skin repairing goodness.

Realistically, you might not need to add liquid to your mask, depending on what base ingredients you use.  If you are in need of thinning out your mixture, try adding something that's actually going to benefit your skin instead of plain ol' water.  Of course you can just use water, but why not infuse it with tea to get some added benefit?  Personally, I tend to use a lot of liquid Colloidal Silver for its fierce anti-bacterial properties or liquid probiotics which help to soothe and heal with their billions of healthy bacteria.  As shown above, you can also use oils as your "liquid," just use ones that are ideal for your skin type.  Here's a handy post I wrote about just that!  If you do opt for water, make sure it's filtered.  The last thing you want in your mask is arsenic or skin irritating fluoride.  

Remember to add liquid a 1/2 teaspoon at a time.  Too much liquid will turn your mask into a soup that drips EVERYWHERE. 

Alright guys, I hope this was helpful and maybe even inspires a few of you to make your own DIY masks at home!  If you do, I'd love it if you'd share them with me.  Use hashtag #OEdiyMask when you post your pictures to instagram.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.