Face masks have become quite popular thanks to its ease of application, affordable price, and instantaneous results. They work by driving ingredients closer and deeper into the skin, infusing your pores and allowing the skin to soak up more of the product. However, there are so many masks on the market and it is not always easy to find the one that fits your skin.
Here we put together 8 most popular natural ingredients that face masks use and review the skin benefits of each.
Cucumber
Benefits: Hydration, Brightening, Anti-aging, Soothing irritated skin and sunburn
The most well-known benefit of cucumber is hydration thanks to its high water content. But it also provides other important benefits for skin including lightening, brightening, and toning your skin. It is full of vitamin C and other antioxidants that fight free radicals and prevent premature aging signs, like wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. In particular, compounds such as caffeic acid and folic acid help increase collagen production and defend against signs of premature aging.
Aloe Vera
Benefits: Hydrating, Moisturizing, Soothing
Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It is high in vitamins A, C, E, and B12, which help reduce damage done by free radicals. It also contains inflammation-reducing enzymes and can help treat burns, acne and dry skin. Studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for first and second degree burns.
Aloe Vera gel is absorbed almost 4 times quicker than water and is able to reach some of the deepest tissue in the body. This enables it to deliver nutrients directly into the skin where it is needed most. Once natural Aloe Vera gel has dried on the surface of the skin, it provides a protective barrier that helps keep moisture locked in. Aloe Vera can also be used on the hair to treat dandruff by rubbing it into your hair and scalp.
Green Tea
Benefits: Anti-aging, Hydrating, Nourishing
Green tea is a popular drink consumed daily by millions of people around the world. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG that fights DNA damage from UV rays to prevent skin cancer. That means it’s also a potent anti-aging ingredient that combats signs of aging when ingested or applied topically.
Green tea is full of Vitamin B2 that helps maintain collagen levels for youthful skin structure and firmness and Vitamin E that supports new skin cell growth and also acts as an intense hydrator for soft and nourished skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Benefits: Treating Acne, Pimples, Pesky Breakouts
The tea tree plant was known to treat skin infections, cuts, and wounds, due to its natural antiseptic qualities. In the past, tea tree oil began as a tea that the native people drank for its healing powers. This traditional medicine is a natural antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic.
Tea tree oil can treat athlete's foot, contact dermatitis, dry skin. However, its most prevalent use of allis to treat acne, pimples and pesky breakouts.
Honey
Benefits: Moisturizing, Fighting against skin infections, Anti-aging, Brightening, Pore cleansing
Honey is a natural moisturizer that easily seeps into the skin while conditioning it and softening it from deep within. Honey also contains antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, it helps to rid your skin of blackheads by removing dirt from pores, fight against infections and heal wounds.
Honey is incredibly nourishing and the perfect aid in anti-aging since it helps plump and hydrate your skin, and prevent free-radical damage. The natural antioxidants in honey help control wrinkles and fine lines on the face.
Oat
Benefits: Soothing
Oat, oat extract, and colloidal oat is a favorite ingredient in sensitive skin care products, as it is found to be very calming for irritated skin. Oats are wonderfully soothing to the skin, anti-inflammatory, healing, and the saponins they contain help to gently cleanse without removing moisture. If your skin is red, itchy, inflamed and sensitive, products containing oat might help you ease with the issue.
Avocado and avocado oil
Benefits: Moisturizing, Hydrating, Nourishing, Repair, Soothing
Avocado (Persea americana) oil is rich in nutrient waxes, proteins and minerals, as well as vitamins A, D and E. It is an excellent source of enrichment for dry, damaged or chapped skin. It moisturizes dry skin as well promotes moisture retention in the skin.
It also contains chlorophyll, an antioxidant that protects us from premature aging. Avocado oil also boosts collagen production that promotes the growth of newer, firmer skin.
Yogurt
Benefits: Moisturizing, Improving Elasticity, Brightening, Soothing
Yogurt contains lactic acid, an exfoliant that breaks down dead skin cells and allows them to be washed away. It transforms your skin from being dry and dull to lighter and softer. Lactic acid also aids in diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by tightening and shrinking pores.
It also contains tons of good-for-your-skin-microbiome probiotics, which recent research shows can be beneficial for acne-prone skin when taken orally or even topically. Probiotics in yogurt can soothe skin inflammation and calm the skin by promoting cell-renewal repairing the lipid barrier in dehydrated skin.
Sources:
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17133/9-allnatural-moisturizers-you-can-find-in-the-kitchen.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607907/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18376654/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509513/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/honey-for-skin
