4 organic face masks you can make at home

Sustainability is a growing concern in our current climate.

To form part of their green outlook, Spa Royale encourage you rather than buying cheap face masks that are not good for your skin or the environment, try out some organic options where all the ingredients can be found in your kitchen.

Yuvati Shah, owner of Spa Royale at Royal Palm Hotel, Umhlanga suggests these easy home remedies that will revitalize your skin.

1. Turmeric Mask - This spice is considered a bit of a holy grail in the skincare community. It’s anti-inflammatory, so it reduces redness and other irritants and it also brightens skin and may even fight signs of aging. This is all old news on the eastern side of the globe, where Indian brides have been using turmeric masks to catch a natural glow on their wedding day for many years. But now, the rest of the world is catching on. Many people swear by a simple turmeric powder and honey mask, but you can add milk or yogurt to make it a bit creamier.
2. Avocado Mask – These yummy green masks tend to pop up on every DIY corner of the internet simply because avo is a great natural moisturizer. It adds hydration to dry skin whilst soothing and revitalizing it in the process. Shah recommends combining half an avo with honey and yogurt or oats.
3. Cucumber Mask - You probably know that placing cucumber slices over your eyes is great for reducing bags or puffiness. But cucumbers are more than just a spa accessory. They naturally calm irritated or inflamed skin — sometimes even sunburn — and because they’re practically all water, they provide tons of hydration. For an extra soothing boost, mix half of a (mashed) cucumber with aloe vera gel. Milk and yogurt are still safe bets here, but if you’re looking to soak up excess oil, add some oats and honey instead.
4. Brown sugar Mask - For a good facial scrub, just grab the sugar bowl. Brown sugar is the ingredient favored by skincare experts, because the individual sugar crystals will gently exfoliate your skin, flushing out any oil and grime. It also prevents moisture loss and keeps you hydrated. Brown sugar masks frequently use coconut or olive oil, to amp up the moisture even further. You might also consider a few drops of vanilla extract or lemon juice. But if all else fails, there’s the old standby: honey.

SpaRoyale@RoyalPalm is located on the first floor of the Royal Palm Hotel, Umhlanga.