The 7 Best Face Masks For Acne

We all know that acne sucks. As much as I believe that the cure for acne is within the body rather than outside it, I have collected and experimented with many things during my search for a cure. I make all my face masks at home using all natural and gentle products. I don’t even remember when the last time was that I used a commercially available face mask.

Here are the 7 best face masks for acne that I have found. Each deals with a different skin type. I have found that you can tweak the face mask depending on your skin type. Acne does not distinguish and appears on skin which is oily or dry.

Here are some tips to get the best out of any face mask

• Please wash your face before using any of these face masks. If you need to wash your face with soap or face wash do it before you apply any face mask. If you wash your face with soap after using the mask all the goodness will be washed off your face. When you wash the face mask off with plain water a thin layer of the mask will be left on your face. This won’t stain or mess anything but will continue to work on your face for the next few hours. That is one reason why these masks are best used at the end of the day so your skin will have the goodness of the mask while you sleep.
• Do leave the masks on for more than 30 minutes
• Follow the mask with a couple of drops of oil or your favourite moisturiser
• These masks are best used at night. It is best not to expose your skin to the sun after using these masks.
• Always do a patch test. Apply a bit of the mask at the side of your cheek and check for any reaction.

1. Honey and Mint Face Mask

Honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that helps with the swelling and redness when you have acne. Mint has menthol and antibacterial properties. Menthol is very cooling and soothing to inflamed skin. And acne prone skin does tend to be red, inflamed and irritated. Which is why this combination of honey and mint is dynamite to acne. Not in a bad way of course!

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 6-7 fresh mint leaves

How To Make It

Using a pestle and mortar crush the mint leaves as much as you can. Mix this paste with the honey. Wash your face with plain water. Apply the mask to your damp skin with clean fingers. Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour. Wash off with plain water.

This mask is best for oily, sensitive and inflamed skins.

2. Honey and Cinnamon Mask

Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties which kills the acne causing bacteria. It also has astringent properties which helps to shrink pores. Once the pores shrink, your face will look much smoother.

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon or 4-5 drops jojoba oil

How To Make It

Mix all the ingredients. Was your face and apply the mask to your face with clean fingers. Leave it on for an hour. Please note that cinnamon tends to sting a bit. If the stinging is too much please wash it off immediately.

This mask is meant oily skins. Please do not use this mask if your skin is sensitive or red and inflamed.

3. Yogurt and Turmeric Face Mask

Yogurt is amazing for acne prone skin. It contains lactic acid which helps to remove the dead skin cells that block your pores and cause acne. It also contains zinc which is which is very effective in the treatment of acne. Zinc helps kill the bacteria that cause acne and prevents them multiplying. Yogurt also contains Vitamin B which helps keep your skin supple, moist and healthy.

Now turmeric has been used for centuries in skin care in India. It is anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant. It can help with scarring from acne and also cleans out your pores and calms your skin.

Note that turmeric stains. It stains everything it touches, including your skin and your clothes. Wear old clothes and do not go near light coloured furniture or any furniture for that matter.

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon plain, unflavoured, full fat yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

How To Make It

Mix the yogurt and turmeric well till it is a smooth. Apply this on your face and leave it on for half an hour.

Note : Please do not use low fat yogurt as it may not be effective. Also start with 1/4 teaspoon or less of turmeric and see how your skin looks and behaves after. Depending on whether your skin is yellow or not increase the amount of turmeric in the face mask. If you are fair you skin will get stained much more easily.

This mask is perfect for sensitive and dry flaky skins with acne.

4. Aloe Vera and Tomato Mask

Aloe Vera helps acne heal faster. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that are useful in treating acne. It helps with acne scarring as well. The juice of the tomato when applied to your skin helps tone and refine it. It helps soothe acne and close large pores. It also imparts a glow to your skin.

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon organic and pure aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon tomato juice ( see instructions below )
• 1-2 drops lavender oil (optional )

How To Make It

To make tomato juice grate about 1/4 of a tomato into a sieve. Let the juice drip down. Make sure there are no seeds in the juice. Please do not use commercially available tomato juice. Mix this juice with the aloe vera gel and the lavender oil if using. Apply a thin layer of this mixture on your face. This is one mask you can use overnight if you do not mind the tomato smell. Please a clean towel on your pillow so that your pillow does not smell of tomato the next day.

This mask is great for all skin types with acne. If your skin is sensitive leave out the lavender oil.

5. Papaya and Honey Mask

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain. When applied topically this enzyme helps unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, help with acne scars and soothe your skin.

What You Need to Make It

• 2 tablespoons scoop of ripe papaya ( take a tablespoon and use it to scoop the papaya)
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 4-5 drops jojoba oil

How To Make It

Pour the honey over the scoops of papaya. Mask the papaya with a fork till it forms a smooth paste. Apply this paste over clean and damp skin. Leave it on for half an hour before washing.

This mask can be used by all skin types.

6. Honey and Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal is very soothing for inflamed and red skin. It absorbs excess oil which makes it perfect for oily skin.

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 tablespoon oatmeal powder ( Grind whole oats in a blender till it forms a fine powder. Excess powder can be stored in a jar)

How To Make It

Mix the oatmeal powder with the honey. Apply this mix to clean and damp skin. Leave for an hour  before washing off.

This mask works best on oily skins.

7. Green Tea and Honey Mask

Green tea contains lots of antioxidants. These antioxidants protect your skin and help keep it healthy. They also help with scars that are left behind after your acne heals. Green tea also soothes red and inflamed skin that comes when you have acne.

What You Need to Make It

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 green tea bag
• A little hot water

How To Make It

Break open the tea bag and pour the contents into a small glass or ceramic bowl. Pour just enough hot water to dampen the leaves. Let this sit for 5 minutes. Mix the honey with it and apply to your face. Leave it on for an hour.

This mask is best for sensitive skins with acne.

Go ahead and pick one mask depending on your skin type. Let me know in the comments how it works out for you.