We all know face masks can be pricey. And with so many DIY face mask recipes floating around the internet, it can be tempting to slap some ingredients already sitting in your pantry onto your skin.
But, do they really work?
We took to our estheticians to find out if DIY face masks are a bargain deal or waste of time.
“I am not a fan of DIY face masks, because they often contain ingredients that are not only not meant to be applied to skin, but can actually cause serious irritation (think inflammation, rashes, and redness) to those with even moderately sensitive skin. While it’s not likely that pumpkin or honey can do much harm (unless of course you have a bee allergy), other DIY ingredients I’ve seen being recommended totally can. Egg whites, baking soda, and high amounts of essential oils are a couple ingredients that when applied in high quantities, will likely lead to angry, irritated skin.” -Sandra
“I’m okay with DIY face masks, as long as they don’t contain any coarse bits that could cause abrasions to the skin. No ground nuts, gritty clays, or coffee grounds. Face masks are not face scrubs!” -Julie
“DIY face masks just don’t offer the skin as many benefits as store-bought ones do. A face mask formulated by a professional cosmetic chemist knows exactly how much of each ingredient to put into the mixture in order to yield the desired benefits. Not only that, but other ingredients, such as humectants and cell-communicating ingredients, are needed for a truly efficacious face mask. I, of course, would recommend our own Instant Detoxifying Mask and Damage Repair Mask. Formulas should be well thought-out, not made with refrigerated leftovers.” -Vanessa