THE 8 BEST HONEY AND LEMON MASKS FOR CLEAR, GLOWING SKIN
Honey and lemon are two ingredients that are an absolute must for clear, glowing skin. Lemons are filled with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help in the removal of dead skin cells, while honey is an antibacterial filled with antioxidants that fight free radical damage to the skin. Here is a look at eight different honey and lemon masks for a radiant complexion.
Before applying a mask, use the steam from a bowl of hot boiling water to activate pores. After rinsing off the mask, wash your face with cold water (or rub a cube of ice all over!) to calm the skin and seal in the goodness.
1. Honey and Lemon juice mask
This mask uses just a combination of honey and lemon. Squeeze out lemon juice from half a lemon and mix it with one tablespoon of organic honey. Mix well and apply over the face and neck. Avoid the area near your eyes. After 20 minutes, wash with warm water, then with cold water. Dry the face by patting with a soft towel.
2. Cucumber, turmeric and lemon juice
This mask is for people with oily skin. This mask helps in calming skin and soothing sunburn. Peel a cucumber and slice off the ends. Cut the cucumber into small pieces and use a blender to make a pulpy mixture. Take a tablespoon of this mixture, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of organic turmeric powder. Mix the ingredients well and evenly apply over the face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and allow it to dry. Wash off with cold water. Use daily for a week for best results. For dry skin, add a teaspoon of glycerine to this mix.
3. Gram flour (chickpea flour) with Turmeric, lemon juice and Honey
This is a universal mask that can be applied to any skin type. Mix one tablespoon of chickpea flour with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of organic turmeric powder. Make a paste by mixing these ingredients with rose water (or filtered water) and apply to the face. Wash off with cold water to enjoy glowing skin. Regular application of this mask will help with the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars from the face. Turmeric is nature’s answer to free radicals and a potent anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral remedy, properties that are radiant, blemish-free skin.
4. Chamomile, Almond oil, Oatmeal and honey
Brew a pot of chamomile tea and allow it to cool. Add this to ¼ cup of oatmeal, 2 drops of Almond oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, and make a paste. Wash the face with warm water and then apply the paste to your damp skin. Allow the mask to dry for about 7 minutes before washing off with cold water. The mask helps exfoliate and adds a potent surge of humectants, calming redness and invigorating the skin.
5. Green tea with honey
Green tea is full of antioxidants that combat the damage caused by free radicals. Take loose green tea (or cut open a tea bag) and mix with 2 tablespoons of organic honey. Apply this to the face and leave it for 15 minutes before washing off warm water. The mask improves the appearance of redness, prevents clogging of pores and adds flow.
6. Banana, cinnamon and honey
This is a great mask to combat dry skin during the winter. Take half a banana and mash it into an even consistency. Then add 2 tbsp of organic honey and ½ tbsp of finely ground cinnamon powder. Mix to get a soft paste. Wash the face with warm water, apply the paste with your fingers and allow it to dry for 30 minutes before rinsing off. Cinnamon not only stimulates pores for even cleansing, but also helps improve the appearance of spots and hyperpigmentation. Adding the banana soothes the dry skin while honey fights free radical damage and exerts antibacterial act.
7. Lemon and milk
Both lemon and milk contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that promote exfoliation and have effective skin brightening properties. Take 2 tbsp of whole milk and add 2 tsp of lemon juice. Mix the ingredients and allow the mixture to stand at room temperature for four hours. During this period, the milk will break down and form a fresh curd that may be applied to a clean face. Leave it on cleansed skin for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
8. Avocado with honey
Avocados pack a punch of nutrients: iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, copper, magnesium, and more. They also contain vitamins A, E, B and K. Avocados make for great natural face mask ingredients, as they moisturize the skin along with providing a surge of potent nutrition. Scoop open an avocado and mash with your hands. Add 15 ml honey to this mashed avocado and continue to mash until you get a paste-like consistency. Apply this to cleansed-skin in slow, circular, upward moving strokes and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water. This mask can be made in bulk as it can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
