For Blah Skin (And A Hungry Belly) The ingredients in this mask, recommended by natural beauty expert Paula Simpson, will help improve your skin’s texture from the inside out and vice versa—vitamin C-rich pineapple and strawberries help diminish wrinkles; greener-than-green spirulina packs anti-inflammatory properties. Blend: 1 cup Greek yogurt + ½ cup strawberries + ½ cup pineapple + 1 tablespoon coconut oil + 1 teaspoon spirulina powderApply: Drink about three-quarters of the smoothie for breakfast. Spread the remainder on your face, and let sit for 5 minutes. For deep relaxation, put 1 damp green tea bag on each eye. Rinse well. MORE: Berries For Beauty For Puffy Skin Cofounder of natural beauty brand Lalicious, Jessica Kernochan recommends a fragrant coffee-cocoa pick-me-up. Ground coffee helps reduce swelling and gently exfoliates, while cocoa adds a sweet scent, plus antioxidants to help reduce the signs of aging. Blend: 2 tablespoons freshly ground coffee + 2 tablespoons pure cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon honey + 3 tablespoons yogurt + 1 tablespoon wheat germ oilApply: Spread evenly over skin and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Gently massage face with lukewarm water to exfoliate. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. For Overheated Skin This mask suggested by Roberta Perry (founder of Scrubz Natural Skin Care Products) combines moisturizing yogurt with soothing cucumber. Potato enzyme catecholase and the vitamin C in orange juice help to smooth. Tea tannins are antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage. Blend: 2 cups plain yogurt + 1 medium peeled cucumber + ½ medium potato + ½ cup cold brewed tea + 2 tablespoons orange juiceApply: Spread all over face and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with a damp washcloth for another 5 minutes, and rinse. For Flaky Skin Lori Kenyon Farley of Ritual Wellness likens this recipe to a piña colada for your face (minus the hangover). Enzymes in the pineapple exfoliate, and rich coconut milk moisturizes. Blend: 4 slices fresh pineapple + 2 tablespoons coconut milkApply: Spread the mask over your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth. For Dry, Sensitive Skin Ground almonds exfoliate, while oats and honey soothe and heal, according to Jill Nystul, author of One Good Life and creator of the One Good Thing blog. Lemon juice provides a boost of brightening vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids. Blend: 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds + 4 tablespoons oats + 2 tablespoons honey + 2 tablespoons lemon juiceApply: Gently rub the mixture on clean skin. Leave the mask on for about 5 minutes, and then rinse with water. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for a few weeks. MORE: The Only Moisturizer You Need For Blemished Skin Enzymes and acids in papaya and lime juice lighten and smooth dark spots, says naturopathic doctor Trevor Cates. The honey helps to soften and moisturize. Blend: 2 tablespoons cubed papaya + 1 tablespoon honey + ½ teaspoon lime juiceApply: Spread mask to face for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. For Dehydrated Skin Ashley White, esthetician and skin coach at Skin Authority, recommends this mix for thirsty skin. The avocado and honey moisturize, while oats provide a light exfoliant. Blend: 1 very ripe avocado + ¼ cup of oats + 2 tablespoons of honey Apply: Spread mask onto affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes; rinse well. For Dull Skin Felicia Alva (LA-based esthetician and celebrity makeup artist at Flutter Beauty) uses this skin-reviving trick with her red-carpet clientele. The lactic acid in yogurt is a natural exfoliant; honey plumps by drawing moisture into the skin. Blend: ½ cup plain Greek yogurt + 2 tablespoons honeyApply: Slather a thick layer on the face, leaving out the eye and lip area. Relax and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse well. MORE: 8 Herbs For Beautiful Skin And Hair For Tired Skin Sure, caffeine can wake up your brain—but using it topically works to constrict blood vessels, targeting swelling and inflammation in the skin. Research in animals, say the writers at food-focused website Spoon University, has shown that the smell alone may be enough to give you a cognitive edge. Blend: 1 cup coffee grounds + ½ cup sugar + ½ cup sea salt + a pinch of cinnamon + 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil Apply: Scrub gently in a circular motion. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse well. For Shiny Skin The antioxidants in strawberries help calm oily skin, while yogurt is a great base for soothing and hydrating, according to Ildi Pekar (facialist and owner at Ildi Pekar Skin Care). Blend: ½ cup yogurt + ½ cup strawberriesApply: Slather on, let sit for 20 minutes, rinse well. The article 10 Smoothie Recipes For Beautiful Skin originally ran on Rodalesorganiclife.com.
