A lot of people struggle with very dry skin in the winter, ( some even year round); I am one of those people. The dry heat in our houses due to heating, the harsh elements outside, or sensitivity to harsh products can all be a cause for dry skin. I normally have a combination skin ( oily in T-zone and normal on cheeks) but in the winter my super sensitive skin gets irritated even more! I struggle with redness, irritation and tightness/dryness.
After doing a lot or research, visiting countless dermatologists and estheticians and through trial and error, I have narrowed down the ingredients that I can use on my highly, reactive and sensitive skin. I love DIY masks because I know the exact ingredients that go in the mask and I can customize them for my skin needs.
I wanted to share with you my favorite at home mask recipe that I use to combat dry skin in the winter. The ingredients are all natural and can be found at any natural health store or whole foods ( the camellia oil, you can buy from our website.
Mask recipe for dry skin:
Ingredients:
- Aloe Vera. The aloe plant has been used for thousands of years to treat skin conditions. It is even recommended by doctors for cancer patients to combat skin burns and irritation from chemo/radiation). The aloe gel is cooling and is full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that have amazing benefits for healing the skin
- Shea butter. Shea butter is full of fatty acids and vitamins and it leaves your skin feeling soft, hydrated and calm/soothed due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Camellia oil. This oil is considered the beauty secret of the Japanese geisha. It is a dry oil and gets absorbed into the skin quickly but it is extremely moisturizing. You can read more about the benefits of camellia oil on this blog here
Instructions:
- Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel into a glass bowl.
- Add 2 – 4 tablespoons of camellia oil
- Stir gently until ingredients are mixed
- Spoon in 2 tablespoons of shea butter. ( If the shea butter is hard, you can microwave for five seconds or so and stir again. You want the shea butter to be completely dissolved)
- Mix well
How to apply:
- Start with a clean face that is free of makeup
- You can splash your face with warm water to open the pores or apply a warm wash cloth on your face for a minute or so ( this step is optional)
- Apply a generous layer of mask on your face ( make sure that the mask mixture has cooled down if you microwaved the shea butter)
- This step is optional, but if you have a face roller, you can use it over the mask to allow the ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin
- Leave the mask on your face for fifteen minutes. I love to add sliced cucumbers on my eyes to help cool and de-puff the delicate eye area. After fifteen minutes, wash your face with warm water
- Some people like to remove the mask residue with a damp washcloth but I like to leave it on my skin to have the extra hydration boost.
- Finally rinse your face with cool water to close you pores again and gently pat dry
- You can apply this mask once or twice a week
Just remember that it is great to nourish and take care of our skin topically but we have to take of our skin from the inside out. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water (especially in the winter) and eating foods that are full of omega 3, like salmon, walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds. Also, keep moisture in your house by using a humidifier ( for more tips on how to combat dry skin in the winter, head to this blog)
Let me know if you try this mask in the comments below. Or share other DIY face mask recipes for dry skin.