There are some great masks and exfoliators on the market, ranging from just a few dollars to over a hundred dollars for a 4 ounce tube or bottle. I shared a few of my favorite store-bought options in my body care book.

If you like to save money, and enjoy the art of making something, then making your own masks and/or exfoliators is the way to go. 

Today, let’s talk about making a homemade exfoliator. I’ve rounded up my favorite homemade exfoliators, all of which cost just a few cents to make and can be made in under 5 minutes. 

I like to exfoliate my face once a week, in the morning. Occasionally, I’ll use an exfoliator twice a week when my skin is feeling meh. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, which, when left on the skin, can block pores and cause skin to look dry and dull. I also like to mask once or twice a week. Both of these practices make a big difference in the overall condition of my skin. 

1. All-Over Sugar Scrub

Pantry Ingredients: Sugar and Oil  

This scrub may be used on the entire body, including the face and lips. For this reason, I like to use this scrub in the shower. The sugar sloughs off dead skin cells and gets the blood flowing to the skin. Sugar also naturally hydrates the skin. It’s important to use a very fine sugar when making this exfoliator. This scrub may be too abrasive for acne-prone or sensitive facial skin (see the next two options for a better fit). 

2. Gentle Oat Exfoliator  

Pantry Ingredients: Oats, Almonds, Salt, and Liquid (oil, water, etc.)

This exfoliator was inspired by S.W. Basics. The ground oats, ground almonds, and mineral-rich salt gently remove dead skin cells. The final product is incredibly gentle on the skin, making it an ideal facial exfoliator even for more sensitive skin.

3. Gentle Baking Soda Exfoliator

Pantry Ingredients: Baking Soda and Liquid (water, hydrosol, or milk)

Baking soda may be used as a gentle exfoliant on the face. Just like with the oat exfoliator, the powder must be mixed with a liquid to create a paste before applying it to the face. For a liquid, I prefer milk (cow’s milk or coconut milk) or water (or rose hydrosol).

The post 3 Made-From-the-Pantry Products that Naturally Exfoliate the Face appeared first on Live Simply.

I’m excited to finally share that at the end of this year, I’ll be releasing a new digital book. This time, all about natural body care.

As I worked on this book, I wanted to create something more than just a collection of recipes. I wanted to create a book that provided a simplified approach to natural body care–based on my research, experiences, and hearing from readers over the years.

This book focuses on how to make the switch from toxic products to natural products, along with simple recipes for what I consider to be body essentials (and a few special items, like masks and exfoliators), and brand/product recommendations. <–Because I know life is crazy and busy, and many times we have to prioritize between making a facial cream or dinner. To which I say, “Hello, (natural) store-bought facial cream! You’re looking might fine.” 

In the book, I share three different recipes for making a facial exfoliator: an all-over sugar exfoliator (a reader favorite), a baking soda exfoliator, and an oat-based exfoliator. The goal is to provide you with three options, based on the ingredients you already own and your skin’s preferences.

The all-over sugar exfoliator may be used all over the body. Because it’s so coarse, folks with sensitive skin may have issues with this option.  The next option, a baking soda exfoliator, is super easy to make and offers a gentle exfoliation experience. And finally, if you want another option that’s soothing, exfoliating, and gentle, there’s the oat exfoliator option.

I thought it would be fun today to share the oat exfoliator.

Are you in?

Awesome!

In the book, exfoliators are are found in the “Face Specials” section, along with face masks. These products are what I consider to be occasional treatments for my skin. Face masks and exfoliators are only meant to be used, based on my research and own experience, once or twice a week.

On my skin, I use an exfoliator once a week, usually in the morning during a shower. I use a face mask twice a week, usually at night before bed. I personally rotate between store-bought exfoliators and masks (I’m currently loving the Acure brand for masks and exfoliators, and,of course, Luminance Skincare for masks) and homemade recipes. It all depends on my mood and current season of life.

This almond and oat exfoliator features three ingredients, which were inspired by S.W. Basics: almonds, oats, and a tiny amount of salt. The oats are soothing and may help calm inflammation, the almonds contain a nice amount of vitamin E, and the salt helps (along with the other ingredients) to slough off dead skin cells. This exfoliator is easy to customize. If you want something super simple, just use oats. I you want a finer exfoliator, or don’t have a high-powered blender, and want to use almonds, go with blanched almond flour instead of grinding almonds. If you don’t want to use salt, skip it! Customize and tweak this recipe to your liking. This about you, girl!

The beauty of this recipe is that the ingredients are pulsed together to create a powder, which may be stored for a few months. When you’re ready to experience a special skin treatment, simply mix together a small amount of the powder with a liquid, and you’re ready to gently exfoliate your skin!

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Gentle Oat Exfoliator Scrub Powder

This exfoliator powder was inspired by the company, S.W. Basics. The oats, almonds, and mineral-rich salt gently remove dead skin cells. Combine the powder with a liquid to create a gentle exfoliator. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Exfoliator Scrub Powder

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces exfoliator powder

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup raw, unsalted almonds
• 1 tsp salt a mineral-rich, fine salt

Special Equipment:

• blender
• storage jar

Instructions

• Place the almonds and oats in a blender jar. Blend until the ingredients resemble a flour-like texture. Add the salt and pulse for just a couple of seconds to combine. 
• Spoon the mixture into a storage jar with a lid. Seal the jar.

To Use:

• Combine 1 tablespoon of powder with 1-2 teaspoons of liquid of choice-- water or oil (sweet almond, jojoba, or olive oil work well)--until you reach your desired consistency. Wet your hands. Gently massage the exfoliator on the face and/or body, using circular motions, for about 30 seconds. Rinse with a warm, damp washcloth. 

Notes

This exfoliator is easy to customize. If you want something super simple, just use oats. I you want a finer exfoliator, or don't have a high-powered blender, and want to use almonds, go with blanched almond flour instead of grinding almonds.If you don't want to use salt, skip it! Customize and tweak this recipe to your liking. This about you, girl! 

Store the powder in the fridge for up to 6 months. 

1 tablespoon of exfoliator makes enough for me to exfoliate my face and the top of my chest. If you need less or more, adjust the amount as needed. 

 

The post Gentle Oat Facial Exfoliator Scrub Powder appeared first on Live Simply.

As time went on, I began to learn about more expensive skincare products that promised all sorts of results: clear skin, a flawless look, the perfect glow. You know, all the messages marketers feed women on a daily basis. I ate them right up. I began to question my current skincare “routine” and started purchasing these fancier products (despite living on a budget that didn’t quite have the wiggle room for these products).

Fast forward a few years. I was a bit older, wiser, and now on a journey to eat real food. After making changes to what and how we ate, I began questioning the fancy products used on my skin.

It was also during this time that I gave birth to my first child (Piper) and then two years later my daughter (Londyn). My twenty-something body was going through some big changes, and soon my face became evidence of these changes. The clearer skin I took for granted was gone.

Meanwhile, as my skin (and body) cried out for extra attention, I was also trying to swap out the toxic products in my bathroom (which happened to be all the fancy soaps, moisturizers, and body products I was using) for more natural options.

I found out that my breakouts were due to a hormonal imbalance. As it turns out, having two babies back to back, starting a blog (and working through the night on it because, hello, passion doesn’t sleep) and taking self-care off my list of priorities (hello, new mom) all brewed into a disastrous, internal storm. A storm my face was accurately portraying.

Now that we’ve quickly recapped a decade of my skincare decisions, let’s talk about today and this avocado face mask recipe…

I’m now in my 30’s and have a deep respect for my skin and body. I’ve learned the importance, the hard way, of taking care of myself. For me, this looks like eating good (real) food and using quality, non-toxic skincare products on my body. There are also those added bonuses I’ve learned to incorporate into my life, like Pure Barre (exercise) a few times a week, reading/relaxation, going to bed early, and learning to say no to a maxed out schedule.

Quality skincare products don’t have to be super expensive ($100 is my grocery budget for the week, not my moisturizer budget) or fancy. In fact, the simplest of ingredients, which also happen to be the highest-quality ingredients, have become essential to my natural skincare routine.

Today’s recipe, an avocado face mask, is an example of how simple ingredients come together to create a quality, nourishing, inexpensive skincare treatment. The mask is made with leftover avocado (just a small amount is needed, so save a bit of avocado next time you’re making guacamole), oats, and honey. Avocado is loaded with healthy fat. Oats exfoliate and soothe the skin. And honey is just an all-around nourishing skincare ingredient that also helps to gently cleanse the skin.

Since I usually have a tub of clay sitting in my linen closet, clay tends to be my go-to ingredient for making an easy face mask. When I have an avocado sitting on my counter, or a bit of avocado leftover from a meal, this mask is a fun, simple, and inexpensive treat for my skin. A treat that always leaves my skin feeling cleansed, smooth, and refreshed.

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Exfoliating Avocado Face Mask

A simple, real food-inspired face mask made with leftover avocado, rolled oats, and honey. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Avocado Face Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 face mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1-2 tsp old-fashioned rolled oats *
• 1/4 small avocado such as, a hass avocado**
• 1 tsp honey

Special Equipment:

• small bowl
• spice grinder

Instructions

• Pulse the oats in a spice grinder until they resemble a fine powder/flour (about 30-60 seconds). 
• In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Add the honey and ground oats, and stir to thoroughly combine. Use immeadiately as a face mask. 

To Use:

• Apply the mask all over a clean face (and neck or chest, if desired) with clean fingers or a brush. Let the mask rest for 10 minutes, and then rise with clean water and a washcloth. I like to follow-up with my moisturizer. I recommend applying and rinsing this mask off in the kitchen--it is messy. 

The post Exfoliating Avocado Face Mask (a real food-based facial mask) appeared first on Live Simply.

I’ve discovered that a few basic ingredients may be used to create multiple skin and body-care products. Let me share just one example…

Once I gathered the supplies to make foundation powder and honey facial cleanser, I was able to make a soothing face mask and blemish spot treatment, dry shampoo (because #momlife), and a sugar scrub to exfoliate my skin. Not only have I been able to care for my sensitive skin with more natural ingredients, I’ve also been able save money along the way. Win-win!

One of the ingredients in my natural skincare “toolkit” is, clay.

Clay comes from the ground, so it’s incredibly rich in minerals. The minerals found in clay, along with its ability to absorb (toxins) and exfoliate the skin, makes clay an excellent skincare ingredient. There are a variety of clay options available. For simplicity sake, I tend to stick with just two clay varieties: kaolin clay and bentonite clay.

Kaolin clay is a very gentle variety of clay, so it may be used by all skin types.

Bentonite clay is my go-to clay for most skincare recipes. This clay has an electrical charge, which allows it to absorb toxins. Metal tools shouldn’t be used when working with bentonite clay. I like Redmond or Aztec brands. French green clay may be used in place of bentonite clay in most recipes.

I love to use clay, particularly bentonite clay, to make a weekly facial mask.  The beauty of making my own mask–versus buying a pre-made tube– is that I can tailor each week’s mask ingredients to what my skin needs, using bentonite clay as the base ingredient.

There are times when my skin really needs hydration, and that’s when I reach for honey and aloe. There are other times when my skin is breaking out (due to hormones or just the environment), and I need the astringent properties of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. There times when I want to soothe and calm my skin, so I may add ground oats or yogurt.

My goal today is to provide you with a few ideas for making your own unique mask creations. The base ingredient in each mask is bentonite clay, although you could also try kaolin clay or French green clay (you would just need to decrease the liquid amount for kaolin clay since bentonite and French green clay swell). Feel free to adjust the amounts, below, to create your ideal mask.

Let’s get started!

Clay + Witch Hazel (or Apple Cider Vinegar) = Take that, Acne!   

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay with 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (or half water and half apple cider vinegar to equal 1/2 tablespoon of liquid). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

I love to use this mask when my skin is congested and I’m breaking out. I’ve also used this mask as a blemish spot treatment.

Clay + Honey + Aloe = Soothing and Hydrating

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1/2-1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This is my go-to mask. It helps to soothe and cleanse my sensitive, acne-prone skin. This mask is also gentle enough to use daily as an acne spot treatment, if needed. <–Maybe during that special time of the month ;).

Clay + Charcoal + Liquid = Detoxifying  

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1 capsule of activated charcoal (about 1/4 teaspoon of powder), and 1 tablespoon of liquid (such as: aloe vera gel, water, or yogurt). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask is detoxifying, so I find it’s best to only use it occasionally (once a month). Too much of a detoxifying mask is too much of a good thing, in my skin’s humble opinion.

Clay + Oats + Liquid = Soothing and Calming 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1/2 tablespoon of ground oats in a small bowl. I grind old-fashioned rolled oats in a spice grinder. Another option is to purchase oat flour. Add enough water to make a spreadable paste (about 1-2 tablespoons). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask is another great option to cleanse and soothe the skin. I like to change this one up by adding 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil (helps with pesky pimples), or replacing some of the water with honey.

Clay + Probiotic Yogurt = Probiotic Boost 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask offers a wonderful probiotic boost to the skin (thanks to the good bacteria found in yogurt), and helps soothe the skin. I love to make this mask when I have just a tiny amount of yogurt left in the yogurt container.

Clay + Chamomile Tea = Calming 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1 tablespoon of room temperature chamomile tea. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

I love to brew myself a cup of tea and then add some of the tea to the clay. It’s a fun way to occasionally add variety to my weekly mask routine, and enjoy the relaxing benefits of warm tea (#self-care). If you’re not a chamomile tea person, try green tea instead.

Clay + Matcha + Liquid = Antioxidant Boost

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1/4 teaspoon of matcha powder, and 1 tablespoon of liquid (such as: aloe vera gel, water, or yogurt). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

Remember that matcha latte we made a few months ago? If you have any matcha left in your pantry or fridge, try adding it to the clay for a little extra skincare boost.

Finally, I use a natural facial moisturizer after applying and rinsing a facial mask.

The post 7 Unique Ways to Make a Clay Facial Mask appeared first on Live Simply.

Today, I’m excited to chat about one more natural and simple bodycare product: cleansing grains.

A while back, one of my favorite green beauty Instagrammers, Gurl Gone Green, shared a picture on Instagram of cleansing grains. The idea of a cleansing grain intrigued me, which then led me on an exciting journey of learning about another option for natural skin cleansing.

What are face cleansing grains?

Cleansing grains are a powdered face cleanser/wash and gentle exfoliator. The grains are typically made from a few simple ingredients, such as: herbs, oats, nuts, and clay. The ingredients of choice are blended together to create a grainy powder. This powder may be combined with milk, water, aloe, or even a liquid face wash to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin.

Sounds a lot like a facial scrub, right?!

Well, the beauty of this scrub-like product is that it’s gentle enough to use daily, and it may even be used as a daily facial cleanser/wash after removing makeup.

As a young woman, I was taught, via commercials and beauty magazines, that I needed a soapy face wash to properly clean my face. Over the past few years, as I look for “more natural” cleaning and bodycare options, I’ve learned that a soapy face wash isn’t the only option for facial cleansing.

Yes, you can make a simple face wash with gentle and natural ingredients, but there are also other options which aren’t talked about very much in the modern-age of industrial beauty products, like: honey and aloe vera, and cleansing grains.

PS: While cleansing grains may not be talked about as much as a bottle of face wash, there are a number of expensive beauty brands that sell cleansing grains (try $44 for a .99oz bottle–yikes!). See, cleansing grains are 100% real ;).

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Homemade Lavender Cleansing Grains: Facial Cleanser, Mask, or Scrub

Cleansing grains are made with two main ingredients: clay and oats. The grains are used to both cleanse and exfoliate the face. To cleanse the face, a portion of the grains are mixed with a liquid to form a paste. If you’d like to customize the grains, add a drop of essential oil the paste before cleansing. Storage: Up to 6 months Makes: 4 ounces 

Course How To

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Lavender Cleansing Grains

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 12 -16 applications

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Lavender Cleansing Grains:

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats Don’t use steel cut oats.
• 1 TB dried lavender
• 1 TB kaolin clay

To make a mask, cleanser, or scrub:

• 1-2 tsp full-fat unsweetened coconut milk or another gentle liquid (see “Ingredient Notes”)
• 1 drop lavender essential oil or geranium, frankincense, or tea tree essential oil, optional

Instructions

• Combine the oats, lavender, and clay in a spice/coffee grinder and blend for 45 seconds, in 15 second intervals. When you’re done, leave the lid on your spice/coffee grinder for a minute to allow the dust to settle. Empty the grains into a clean jar for long-term storage.

To use the grains as a face mask:

• Combine 1-2 teaspoons of the grains with 1-2 teaspoons of canned coconut milk, and (optional) essential oil. Apply the mask to the face, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

To use the grains as a daily cleanser or a scrub:

• Combine 1 teaspoon of the grains with 1 teaspoon of canned coconut milk. Add (optional) the essential oil. Massage the face with upward, circular motions, then rinse the grains off with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with a toner and/or moisturizer. 

Notes

Kaolin clay is a very common clay used in cleansing grains. It’s considered a versatile cosmetic clay that is suitable for all skin types. If you don’t want to use Kaolin clay, you may also try: bentonite clay (very detoxifying–so it may be too much as a daily cleanser), French green clay, or rhassoul clay.

I keep a small mason jar of coconut milk in my fridge for culinary use–using it within a couple of weeks, although the can says about a week. I’ve been using a small amount of the coconut milk to mix with the grains. If you don’t have any coconut milk available, try water, aloe vera gel or juice, or even mix it with a gentle cleaner (like my honey and aloe cleanser). The goal is to create a soft paste that’s easy to spread on the skin.

You can definitely double or triple the amounts called for to make the cleansing grains. The grains are a shelf-stable product.

More Natural Face Cleansers

SEE ALL CLEANSERS

DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

Best Non-Toxic Face Cleansers and Face Wash

How to Wash Your Face with Honey

Basic Natural Face Wash + Four Ways to Customize Homemade Face Wash

Homemade Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser

DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes

The post Homemade Lavender Cleansing Grains: Facial Cleanser, Mask, or Scrub appeared first on Live Simply.

Before kids, I was the perfect parent! My list of perfection parenting (remember, I’m a list kind of gal), included everything my children and I would never do. I don’t know why I thought parenting was all about the “will nots” in life.

On my list, under “I will never share my bed” (yep, we broke that rule on day one of the job), I wrote, “My children will never play with food”.

Slowly, after Piper’s birth, my perfect list started looking more like the list of a highly confused mom. Scribbles here and there, black lines through sentences. Finally, at six months of age, “my children will never play with food” received the black scribble of death. Feeding a six month-old baby is all about hands, messes, and food! What was I thinking?

I’m far from that “perfect” parent I once envisioned. Was the parent on my list really “perfect”? (Answer: No)  My kids often run around in nothing more than undies until noon, we are past the baby phase yet they still “play” with food (have you ever baked with a two and four year-old?), and they even watch movies from Disney (gasp!).

So, today, in celebration of my once “perfect” list and the new life and freedom found in the black scribbles, we’re going to play with food, again.

Last time we hung out we played with lemons, oats, and honey.  Not only did we play with our food, we also smothered the ingredients all over our faces.  List-breaking to the max. Today, we’re going a step further with three mud-slinging, food-playing masks that deep-clean, moisturize, and stop those blemishes from ever coming back.

Each mask uses bentonite clay as the main ingredient. You may remember this clay from my favorite make-up bag essential, homemade foundation powder. I also use this clay to make my family’s homemade toothpaste. That’s some versatile clay!

Bentonite clay pulls toxins, chemicals, and even heavy metals. The clay also helps provide oxygen to cells and has an alkalizing effect. Bentonite clay is rich in beneficial minerals such as: magnesium, silica, and calcium. When mixed together with healing and antibacterial ingredients, the clay creates a mask that can safely and effectively be used for maintaining healthy skin.

Before we play, let’s take a look at a few other ingredients:

Yogurt: helps exfoliate skin and tighten pores with naturally-occurring lactic acid. Yogurt also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to help keep blemishes far away.

Honey: with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, honey is perfect for achieving that “glow” while fighting acne and nourishing aging skin. Honey also naturally opens pores.

Oats: contains anti-inflammatory properties and saponins, a cleansing agent, making oats perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil has been used for everything from treating acne to dandruff.

Ready to play? Me too!

Acne-Fighting Tea Tree Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1-2 TB water (Clean tap water is fine for short-term use. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water for long-term use.)
• 1 TB ground oats (where to buy)*
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil (where to buy)

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and oats in a small bowl. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.)  Add in enough water to make a spreadable paste. Add 4 drops of tea tree oil and stir. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

*Note: To grind oats, place desired amount of oats in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Pulse oats until coarse and flour-like.

Soothing Yogurt Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 TB plain yogurt (homemade)

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and yogurt. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

Acne-Fighting Honey Mask

 Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 TB water
• 1 TB raw honey

 Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay, honey, and water. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

 More Recipes You May Like: 

 Homemade Honey Oatmeal Acne Mask 

 Homemade Foundation Powder

Simple Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste

The post 3 Simple & Quick Homemade Clay Mask Recipes appeared first on Live Simply.

Let’s do coffee! No computer, no email, just you and me. As we sip on our freshly-brewed coffee, in over-sized chairs, you’ll probably notice I possess a few characteristics.

First, despite my introvert-nature, I’m bubbly and talkative. At first I appear quiet and reserved, but give me a few seconds, buy me a coffee, and this gal can chat, even crack jokes. Second, activity is my game. I’ll sit and enjoy the coffee, but I love to be active.  I pack an enormous amount of energy in this little five foot frame.  Energy I intend to put toward good use.

So, here I am.  A secret introvert with a bubbly, talkative personality loaded with enough energy to power a house. Behind all those characteristics, there’s one trait that has always left  me feeling a bit “less”.

Since my early twenties, I’ve dealt with scaring and mild acne. At first I thought diet had a large part to play.  I tried everything recommended from cutting out cheese (no!!!!) to leaving my favorite coffee mug in the drawer (not a pretty picture). After months without positive results, I happily welcomed back cheese and my morning cup of joe.

Commercials did their job and soon I found myself on a never-ending shopping spree, buying every “acne-fighting” product on store shelves. The creams, lotions, spot-treatments, and mineral makeups left me poor and without any acne relief.

Finally, a couple years ago, a very welcomed “aha” moment arrived. What if the solution wasn’t my “clean” diet or finding the perfect store-bought product?  I took a deep breath, bought a few ingredients and ventured down the scary road of “DIY”. I felt overwhelmed. “I can’t possibly make my own beauty products! Bread? That’s easy, but lotion, astringent, and make-up? No way!”

Within a few weeks my acne greatly diminished, my skin glowed, and my confidence returned. Ditching the toxic ingredients in store-bought face soaps, lotions, and acne-fighting gels actually cleared my skin!

Today, my beauty routine consists of simple homemade concoctions.  Jojoba or almond oil are my cleansers, a homemade astringent balances my skin’s PH,  and homemade lotion nourishes my skin.

This honey oatmeal mask is just one of the simple homemade products I use when pampering my skin and fighting off acne. Let’s take a look at few ingredients:

Oats: contains anti-inflammatory properties and saponins, a cleansing agent, making oats perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Honey: with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, honey is perfect for achieving that “glow” while fighting acne and nourishing aging skin. Honey also naturally opens pores.

Lemon: contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to fight off acne and blackheads. Lemon juice’s citric acid can help fade dark spots and acne scars. Lemon juice can also help cut down on an abundance of oil.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil has been used for everything from treating acne to dandruff.

I use my Honey Oatmeal Acne Mask once to twice a week before bed. First, I cleanse my face using jojoba or almond oil and then proceed with the mask. After fifteen minutes, I rinse with cold water and follow with homemade astringent and lotion.

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Honey Oatmeal Mask

This honey oatmeal mask is just one of the simple homemade products I use when pampering my skin and fighting off acne.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Oatmeal Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 3 Treatments

Calories 174kcal

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB old fashioned rolled oats see note on how to grind oats
• 1/2 TB lemon juice
• 2 TB honey
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• Grind the oats.
• In a small bowl mix together ground oats, lemon juice, honey, and tea tree oil.
• Apply to face to create a mask. Leave on the skin for 10-15 minutes. Remove the mask with cold water and a washcloth.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Note: To grind oats, place desired amount of oats in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Pulse oats until coarse and flour-like.

This recipe makes enough for two to three treatments. Store extra in the fridge in an airtight container.

More Recipes You May Like: 

 Homemade Facial Astringent 

 Nourishing Homemade Body Wash 

  Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (without Coconut Oil)

The post Homemade Honey Oatmeal Acne Mask appeared first on Live Simply.