Hellooo self-care night! Get out your cucumber slices and favorite nail polish. If you’re looking to give your skin some much-needed TLC, it can be a fun experiment to create your own face mask at home. But if you have sensitive skin, picking out which household ingredients won’t irritate your skin barrier can prove to be its own unique challenge.
In general for DIY skincare, including masks, there are certain ingredients you absolutely want to avoid. Our Co-Founder and Chief Dermatologist, Dr. Schaffran, cautions that lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are big no-nos, as the high acidity can lead to significant irritation and burning. It’s also important to avoid spices with heavy yellow coloring — like turmeric, which can cause discoloration and cinnamon, which is also a well-known skin irritant.
While there is limited research on the use of these items, the following ingredients are generally well tolerated and may have some benefit in your next homemade face mask:
For dry skin:
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Avocado: Contains a high concentration of fats that can moisturize the skin, as well as vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can protect against free radical damage.
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Honey: A natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ingredient which can help reduce redness and irritation. Honey can also help exfoliate and moisturize the skin.
For oily and/or acne-prone skin:
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Green Tea: Contains a high concentration of polyphenols and antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
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Milk and Yogurt: These ingredients contain lactic acid, which is a known exfoliant with moisturizing properties.
For sensitive and redness-prone skin:
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Colloidal Oatmeal: Can help improve dryness and lock in moisture. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe itchy or irritated skin.
- Aloe: Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
