Benefits Of Using DIY Sheet Masks
1. They Are Hydrating
Sheet masks are made of soft cellulose fabric soaked in a DIY solution. The fabric prevents water evaporation, allowing better absorption of the solution and maintaining adequate skin hydration (1). This helps prevent dryness and keeps your skin soft and plump.
2. May Have Antioxidant Properties
Some DIY sheet mask solutions also contain essential oils. These are pure plant oils and have antioxidant properties because of flavonoids and phenolic acids (2). These antioxidants can prevent free radical damage to keep the skin healthy and may also have anti-aging effects.
3. They Are Budget-Friendly
Buying commercial sheet masks every month may cost you a bomb, depending on the serum formula they use. However, you can save a ton of money by using DIY sheet masks. You can buy the sheets masks in bulk and prepare the DIY solution at home. This is also environment-friendly as it reduces plastic waste.
4. They Are Customizable
Although the commercial sheet masks come with targeted benefits and formulas, you can still be allergic to some of the ingredients (like fragrances) used in them. On the other hand, DIY sheet masks are natural, and you can customize the solutions depending on your skin type and needs. Sheet masks help improve skin hydration levels and work as an occlusive barrier. This barrier traps the ingredients, allowing them to work on your skin longer and more effectively. You can easily find cotton facial masks online. In case you don’t, you can use wet cotton wipes instead. Wash the wet wipe, wring out the water, and cut out holes for your nose, eyes, and mouth. Sounds easy, right? Now, let’s check out how to make sheet masks at home.
10 DIY Sheet Mask Recipes To Try At Home
1. Cucumber Sheet Mask (For Calming Your Skin)
Juice of 1 cucumber A cotton facial mask sheet
Method Cucumber feels extremely soothing on your skin. It hydrates your skin and calms irritation, inflammation, and has moisturizing benefits. It reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and may also regulate excess sebum secretion (3).
2. Rice Water Sheet Mask (For Brightening Your Skin)
A handful of rice (white or brown) Water (twice as much as the rice) A cotton facial mask sheet
Korean women swear by rice water for their glowing complexion. It is a popular ingredient in skin care products as it has antioxidant benefits and anti-aging properties. It inhibits elastase production to tighten the skin (4).
3.Green Tea Sheet Mask (For Detoxifying Your Skin)
5 green tea bags Water (as required) 2-3 drops of lemon juice A cotton facial mask sheet
Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. It reduces irritation and acne and helps detoxify the skin (5). Citric acid from lemon juice helps to remove dead skin cells and has a regenerating effect on new cells. It also has an antioxidant effect that helps to prevent UV damage.
4. Seaweed Face Mask (For Nourishing Your Skin)
Japanese nori seaweed sheets (easily available online) 2 green tea bags 1-2 cups of Water
Marine algae (seaweed) are widely used in cosmetics. They are rich bioactive compounds that nourish your skin and keep it healthy (6).
5. Rose Water And Glycerin Sheet Mask (To Tighten Your Skin)
1 tablespoon of rose water 1 tablespoon of glycerin 1 cotton facial mask sheet
Glycerin has a hydrating effect on your skin, and rosewater exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce UV-induced inflammation and free radical damage to keep your skin healthy (7), (8).
6. Witch Hazel And Tea Tree Oil Sheet Mask (For Acne-Prone Skin)
¼ cup of witch hazel ¼ cup of distilled water 3 drops of tea tree oil 1 cotton facial mask sheet
Tea tree oil and witch hazel have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (9), (10). They help prevent acne and keep your skin clear and healthy.
7. Aloe Vera And Chamomile Sheet Mask (For Hydrating Your Skin)
½ teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel 1-2 drops of chamomile essential oil 2-4 tablespoons of brewed green tea (made using 2-3 green tea bags) 1 cotton facial mask sheet
Aloe vera has a hydrating and moisturizing effect on your skin. It is rich in amino acids that keep your skin healthy (11). This sheet mask helps soften your skin.
8. Honey And Rosehip Seed Oil Sheet Mask (For Aging Skin)
¼ cup of distilled water ½ teaspoon of honey 5-6 drops of rosehip seed oil 1 cotton facial mask sheet
Rosehip seed oil contains phenolic compounds like carotenoids and tocopherols that prevent oxidative stress and slow down the skin aging process. It has anti-inflammatory effects and can calm inflammatory skin issues like eczema and dermatitis (2).
9. Chamomile And Lavender Sheet Mask (For Calming Your Skin)
1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers (you can also use chamomile tea as an alternative) 1 cup of water 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil 1 cotton facial mask sheet
Lavender has a therapeutic effect on your skin and is excellent for healing wounds (12). Moreover, it calms your senses and leaves your mind and skin feeling refreshed.
10. Watermelon Sheet Mask (For Refreshing Your Tired Skin)
3-4 tablespoons of fresh watermelon juice 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel 1 cotton facial mask sheet
This sheet mask has a cooling effect and can instantly calm down sun-damaged skin. Watermelon extract contains lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to prevent skin aging (13). Should we store sheet masks in the fridge? It is not necessary. However, cold sheet masks feel great on the skin and can help reduce puffiness and inflammation. Can I wash and reuse sheet masks? No. It is not advisable to use the same sheet mask twice. Can I use toner before the sheet mask? Yes, you may apply toner before putting on a sheet mask It can also be beneficial to steam your face before applying a sheet mask. Can a 13-year-old use a sheet mask? It is not advisable. Consult a pediatrician before using sheet masks on children. They have sensitive skin, and the ingredients in the sheet mask serum may not suit their skin.
