Do you sometimes suffer from acne? Well, raise your hand if you’ve done any of the following: Exfoliated until your skin is red and irritated, avoided chocolate or cheese because your mother told you it would bring on a breakout, popped your pimples (even though you know you shouldn’t). I want you to know there’s a better way—and it starts in your kitchen.
Topical products like salicylic acid creams, nighttime retinol treatments, and benzoyl peroxide cleansers can be very effective if used consistently, but you can also whip up an acne-fighting face mask with stuff you may have lying around the house. “Ingredients like yogurt, which is rich in lactic acid to gently exfoliate, and honey, a humectant that helps with hydration, can be effective treatments,” says certified aesthetician Patricia Brown, regional spa trainer and certified hospitality trainer for Sandals Resorts International. “It’s easy and fun.”
Brown shares her smart and simple recipe here. In addition to the cupboard staples, her mask harnesses the power of bentonite clay, a detoxifying and purifying ingredient that’s used in many over-the-counter products. Will this weekly treatment completely replace your other topical acne products? Absolutely not, but it can be used in conjunction with them to supercharge your routine. Brown recommends cleansing first, exfoliating with a peel pad or toner, applying her mask, and finally moisturizing. Oh, and do a patch test on an inconspicuous area before slathering it all over.
And the best part: You can tweak the recipe to suit your specific skin type. A few drops of some carefully chosen essential oils and this mask is as great for oily and combination skin as it is for sensitive complexions.
Here’s how to whip up your own acne-fighting mask at home.
Clear & Bright Scrub Mask
Ingredients:
¼ cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 teaspoon bentonite clay powder
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon powdered calendula flowers
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a small non-metal bowl. Blend well with a non-metal spoon.
2. Apply to your face in a circular motion. Leave on skin for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry.
For oily/combination skin
Add two drops of tea tree oil and two drops of lemon myrtle essential oil. “Tea tree is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and lemon myrtle reduces clogged pores and helps to control oil production,” says Brown.
For red or inflamed skin
Supercharge the master recipe with two drops of rose geranium essential oil and two drops of lavender essential oil, which work synergistically to “balance, enhance circulation, and calm a compromised complexion,” Brown explains.
For normal or aging skin
Two to four drops of frankincense essential oil will help to rejuvenate skin and boost its defenses against environmental aggressors.
