DIY Face Masks For Glowing Skin

Hello, Warriors! Welcome to The Breast Place blog and thank you for taking time out of your active schedule to visit! We appreciate our readers to the utmost degree, as we do our patients. If this is your first visit to The Breast Place blog, we welcome you. We cover a range of topics here. From breast cancer management to anti-aging skin treatments to helpful tips for maximizing your overall health and wellness—The Breast Place is committed to sharing the best health practices and treatment options with you! Our offices are open and our staff is prepared to answer any questions you may have about your health, your breast cancer risk, and how to reach your aesthetic goals. 

At The Breast Place, we offer several oncoplastic surgical procedures, such as natural reconstruction, nipple-sparing mastectomy, Hidden Scar™, implant reconstruction, and breast lift with or without reduction. Oncoplastic surgery is distinct from both breast cancer surgery and plastic surgery–though you initially assume oncoplastic surgery to be a mixture of both. Rather, the aim of oncoplastic breast surgery is “to achieve good aesthetic outcomes for women with breast cancers who would have unacceptable outcomes with other BCS techniques, and in addition, enable breast-conserving surgery for larger breast cancers.” While breast cancer surgery prioritizes the eradication of cancerous tissue and plastic surgery prioritizes the cosmetic appearance of the breasts, oncoplastic surgery takes both of these aspects into account when planning for the final outcome. You can find out more information about what to look for in an Oncoplastic surgeon here. 

Our last article discussed dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment that can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the face, lips, and hands. We discussed what fillers are actually made of, types of fillers, what they are best for, and what to expect during your appointment. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to check out our last post!

Before we continue with today’s topic, we’d like to make you aware of what we have to offer at The Breast Place this month. It’s June, and summer is right around the corner! The weather is getting more and more beautiful and we hope you are feeling just as great. Our product of the month is EltaMD Sunscreen! These sunscreens help prevent sunburn while decreasing the risk of skin cancer. They are formulated with zinc oxide, which helps to heal damaged skin. This month, we are offering 25% off ALL EltaMD products! These products are noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sensitivity-free. You can learn more about the EltaMD products we have available on our website. Stop by our office or reach out to us today to take advantage of this month’s offer! We can even ship products to your door! Remember, you should never go outside without SPF protection. 

Today, we’ll be talking about some DIY face masks that you can make easily at home! Not only is making face masks a fun activity, but you also know exactly what ingredients are in them, putting you in control! This can help enhance your skincare routine and give your skin some much-needed TLC. (We also think it makes for a great at-home spa day or girl’s night!) Face masks are generally used to infuse the skin with helpful ingredients and moisture. We’ll be sharing different recipes and breaking down how each ingredient can benefit your skin. If you’re interested in learning more, stick around! Let’s get started.

Nourishing and Smoothing Mask

First up is this homemade mask that targets fine lines and wrinkles while providing plenty of moisture. Here are the ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana (Be sure to use equal parts of both the banana and the peel– The peel is actually where most of the nutrients are!)
• 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of plain, full-fat yogurt
• 1 pinch of turmeric

Slice the banana peel with a knife and mash up the banana before mixing in the rest of the ingredients. You should end up with a yellow paste. Apply a thin layer of the paste all over your face and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, remove it by rinsing it with warm water or with a wet washcloth. Be sure to remove all of the mask from your face. Your skin should be noticeably softer!

Why this mask works: Bananas contain potassium, which enhances moisture. They also are packed with vitamins E and C. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which helps protect your skin cells from damage. Vitamin C is known to help slow skin aging and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Raw honey helps balance bacteria on the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a natural exfoliator, which means it gently removes dead skin cells. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which helps dissolve dead skin cells. It also soothes and moisturizes the skin. Turmeric is antiseptic and antibacterial, so it can help prevent acne breakouts. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm already-inflamed areas. It is also known to brighten the skin to improve complexion.

Soothing Mask

This mask is great for inflamed skin, whether it’s from breakouts, rashes, or sunburn. It’s also incredibly easy to make, with only two ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of whole rolled oats (You can also use instant oatmeal, as long as it doesn’t have any flavoring or additives.)
• 2 tablespoons of whole milk

Place the oats in a mixing bowl and then add milk. Mix well until it makes a smooth paste. Apply the mixture to your face, and neck if desired. Let sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water for cool, calm skin! 

Why this mask works: Oatmeal has long been known for its benefits to the skin. It is packed with proteins and vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Oatmeal moisturizes, protects, and exfoliates the skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can treat itchy and dry skin and can reduce redness. It also contains flavonoids, which are plant compounds that provide antioxidant protection as well as protection from UV rays. (Note: This is not an alternative to sunscreen!)  Oatmeal can also soak up excess oil that may lead to acne, as well as kill off acne-causing bacteria. Milk is packed with naturally occurring proteins that help boost the elasticity of the skin, which can result in fewer wrinkles. It contains lactic acid, which helps remove dead skin cells. 

Hydrating Mask

If you have dry skin, you’ve probably tried everything for hydration. This DIY mask might just be the key to giving your skin the moisture it craves, without irritation. Here are the ingredients:

• 1 avocado
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey

Cut and peel the avocado, removing the pit. Mash it up in a mixing bowl and add your other ingredients. Mix the ingredients together until you have a smooth, green paste. Apply a thin layer to the face and let sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water for incredibly soft and moisturized skin!

Why this mask works: Avocados are known as a super fruit because they are high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are excellent sources of vitamin E and C, just like bananas. The natural oils within avocados help nourish, soften, and hydrate the skin. Avocados are also rich in antioxidants. As mentioned above, yogurt and honey both soothe and moisturize the skin. Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A speeds up healing and prevents breakouts. Vitamin D contributes to cell growth and repair. Vitamin K helps protect collagen, making your skin appear more plump and youthful. Olive oil is also an antioxidant and can help prevent damage from UV rays. It helps moisturize and can fight off acne-causing bacteria. 
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These are just a few of the DIY face masks that you can make with ingredients at home! These masks are a great way to practice self-care and promote healthy, glowing skin at the same time. Of course, you should avoid ingredients that you are allergic to, and we encourage you to consult a dermatologist if you are unsure about any particular ingredients. We hope you found this article informative and we hope to see you back on the blog soon! Here at The Breast Place, we are dedicated to helping you feel more confident in your skin. We offer injectable treatments such as Botox, Juvéderm, and Dysport, as well as other facial rejuvenation services such as laser treatment and more! Additionally, we offer breast imaging services and provide consultations, clinical breast exams, and dedicated treatment plans. We strongly encourage you to reach out to us for a consultation if you have any questions or concerns pertaining to our service areas– We are committed to empowering women, and we are proud to offer treatments and products to help you look and feel your best. Thank you for taking the time to read today’s article and we hope you’ll check back in for future posts about treatments, wellness, and more!