5 Homemade Face Masks with Fresh Vegetables

Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumbers probably are the first vegetables that come to mind when vegetable face masks are mentioned. Cucumbers are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents; they lighten, brighten, hydrate and tone the skin. Just placing raw cucumber slices on your skin can make it smooth, fresh and glowing. And if you mix cucumbers with other ingredients, the result will be even more impressive.

To enhance the hydrating properties of cucumber, try mixing it with aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is one of the most effective moisturizing, soothing and healing ingredients. Mixed together, these two ingredients will immediately hydrate your skin, soothe any irritation, and slow down the aging process.

Take half of a cucumber (unpeeled) and cut it into slices. Place cucumber slices in a blender and process until watery. Add 2 tbsp of aloe vera gel and blend until smooth. Cleanse your face and neck, apply the mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse your skin with cool water and pat it dry with a towel.

Avocado Face Mask

From a botanical point of view, avocados are fruits (to be more precise, berries). But nutritionally, they are closer to vegetables and are classified as such by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So it seems logical to add face masks with avocado on the list of vegetable face masks.

Avocados contain an incredibly high amount of fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated. They are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. These nutrients make avocados an excellent remedy for dry and rough skin. They can be combined with ingredients such as yogurt for additional nourishment and hydration, olive oil for soft and supple skin, and honey for a soothing effect.

Mash the pulp of a ripe avocado with a fork until it is mostly lump-free. Add 2 tbsp of plain yogurt (preferably organic), 1 tbsp of olive oil, and 1 tbsp of honey. Mix until well-blended and apply to clean skin. Leave for at least 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Your skin will immediately feel plump and soft.

Pumpkin Face Mask

A perfect choice to keep your skin glowing during the fall holiday season. Pumpkin contains natural enzymes that lighten and brighten the skin, as well as vitamins that help to keep your skin healthy. In addition to pumpkin, this mask contains apple cider vinegar. It is a source of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) that have exfoliating properties. They will help you to get rid of dead skin cells, fight pigmentation, and prevent acne scars.

In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp of fresh pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin pie filling won’t work!) with 1 tsp of honey. Add about ¼ tsp of nutmeg powder and stir well. Then add 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar and mix all the ingredients together until you achieve a lump-free, semi-thick consistently. Apply the mask to clean skin, wait for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Kale Face Mask

Raw kale provides a large amount of vitamin K; it is also a good source of vitamins A, C and E, B vitamins, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. No wonder that it’s considered a superfood and widely used in salads and detox smoothies. Vitamins C and K are essential to youthful, healthy-looking skin, so a kale facial pack will give your skin a glow, reduce pigmentation, and protect your skin from free radicals.

Rinse a handful of organic kale and put it in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp of raw honey, ½ tbsp of coconut milk, and 1 tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend all the ingredients together in a blender. The resulting mask will be rather watery. If you want it thicker, blend the kale first and add the rest of the ingredients by hand. Apply the mixture to your skin, leave it on for 5–10 minutes, rinse well with warm water.

Potato Face Mask

While potatoes aren’t exactly nourishing for your skin, they have another skin benefit. Raw potato is very soothing; it can help to relieve sunburned or irritated skin. In addition, potato face masks make the skin smoother, lighten uneven skin tone, and reduce blemishes and dark spots. Just try this mask and see it for yourself!

Peel a medium-sized potato and grate it or chop into small pieces. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the potato with about a cup of flour. Add an egg yolk and mix until creamy but a little lumpy. Apply the mixture to your face, wait for about 20 minutes, and wash it off with lukewarm water.