If You’re Going to DIY a Face Mask, Make It One of These Two
Just because you’ve run out of your favorite K-beauty sheet masks doesn’t mean you need to cancel self-care Sunday just yet. Believe it or not, there are several face masks you can make on your own, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.
For me, growing up in an Indian household guaranteed that I was no stranger to DIY beauty hacks. The general rule is, if it can go on your plate, it can probably go on your face. There’s always a kitchen ingredient to fix most skin concerns, if you just know which shelf to search around in. Don’t believe us? Just ask Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The actress has often spoken about Indian culture’s penchant for clean beauty and au naturel remedies. “Women in India use a lot of natural products," she told Vogue back in 2017. "These have been taught to us by our mums and our grandmums, and it really does work for me.” In January, she also shared with InStyle how important overall self-care is for her: "I always make time for it. Especially skincare — we spend so much time on makeup and clothes, but I feel best when my skin is glowing and I barely need any makeup."
While Chopra Jonas’ go-to face mask is ubtan — a paste created by mixing gram flour, yogurt (or milk for dry skin), turmeric (this might give your face a yellow tint, so go easy on it), and lemon — which helps to brighten the skin, we went to Mumbai-based aesthetic dermatologist Dr. Malavika Kohli to get you hip to a few more DIY options.
Read on to find out more on these masks and why they're so beneficial for your skin.
RELATED: 14 of Priyanka Chopra Jonas's Must-Haves for Summer 2019
Orange Peel and Yogurt Mask
"This mask delivers natural vitamin C to the skin, and is perfect for hydration and light exfoliation during the summer," says Dr. Kohli. "It’s suitable for all [ethnic] skin types — Indian, Asian, and Caucasian — and is best applied during the day as your skin cells are more active in the a.m."
Ingredients:
1 tsp orange peel powder
2 tsp of yogurt
2 to 3 drops of lemon juice (optional, but helps with brightening)
Start by sun drying the orange peels for three to four days, then grind them into a fine powder using a blender. Mix the powder with the yogurt (and lemon juice, if you're using) and apply the mask with a brush. Wash it off after 15 to 20 minutes. Follow it up with a moisturizer and sunscreen of your choice.
Pro tip: If you overdo it with the orange peels, it's no biggie. The powder can be stored in the fridge for up to six months.
VIDEO: 8 Great Face Masks
Potato Juice and Lemon Mask
“Potato juice leads to regeneration of cells and skin tissue," the dermatologist shares. "It’s best to lighten pigmentation, smooth the skin and heal scars. Be careful about adding only a drizzle lemon juice, else your mask will become too acidic, and in turn, harsh on the skin."
Ingredients:
2 tsp potato juice
2 to 3 drops of lemon juice
Start by chopping up a washed and peeled potato, then purée the chunks using a blender. Strain the mixture to pull out its juices. Afterwards, mix the liquid with freshly squeezed lemon juice to create your face mask. Apply, then rinse off after about 20 minutes. Follow up with a vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Pro tip: Use any leftover potato juice within two days.
