diy face masks

DIY face masks at home!

We all strive to achieve clear, supple, and youthful-looking skin. This means that we need to be aware of not just what we put into our bodies, but also on our skin. Here are some DIY facial recipes that you can try, using only the most natural ingredients!

For Dry Skin: Cucumber and Aloe Vera mask

Ingredients:
2 – 3 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
½ regular sized cucumber

Steps:

  1. Slice up your cucumber. How much depends on how much you want to make and how watery you want your mask to be
  2. Place the cucumber slices into a blender and blend into a watery paste
  3. Add the aloe vera gel and blend until smooth
  4. Massage the mask onto your face and leave on for half an hour
  5. Rinse off with cool water and pat dry

This mask is perfect for dry skin as aloe vera absorbs easily and is very effective in hydrating and treating dehydrated skin, sunburn, and frostbite. Additionally, cucumber is also great for cooling down your skin and also has anti-inflammation properties.

For Oily Skin: Egg, Oat, and Honey mask

Ingredients:
1 Egg White
1 tsp Natural Honey
1 tbsp ground oats ( the finer the better)

Steps:

  1. Thoroughly mix the egg white into the honey until well combined and frothy
  2. Stir in the ground oats until you achieve a paste
  3. Evenly cover your face with the mask, avoiding your eyes, and leave on for 10 – 15 minutes
  4. Remove the mask by washing your face with warm water

Egg whites have long been known to tighten and shrink pores, which helps to prevent the accumulation of dirt in your skin. Oats are considered a superfood that promotes clear skin through moisturising, regulating inflammation, and reducing itch within your skin. Additionally, honey has been known to be anti-bacterial, clarifying, and soothing for the skin.

For Acne-Prone Skin: Avocado, Aloe and Coconut Oil mask

Ingredients:
½ Avocado
1tsp Coconut Oil
1tsp Aloe Vera gel

Steps:

  1. Mash the avocado into a paste
  2. Combine the coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and avocado
  3. Mix into a smooth consistency
  4. Apply onto your face and leave to dry for 10 – 15 minutes
  5. Remove mask by washing with cool water and pat dry

This mask will help mild acne with avocado’s moisturising properties and aloe vera and coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

For Sensitive Skin: Cucumber, Honey and Tea mask

Ingredients:
1 Baby Cucumber
1 cup Black Tea
1tbsp Natural Honey

Steps:

  1. Cut the cucumber into thin slices
  2. Steep the black tea in a cup and stir honey in
  3. Set the tea and honey mixture aside to cool
  4. Add cucumber slices into the tea
  5. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes
  6. Remove cucumber slices and place them all over your face for 10 – 20 minutes
  7. Remove slices and wash your face with cool water

If you have sensitive skin, you have to ensure that the ingredients used are natural and will not irritate your complexion. In addition to being soothing, these ingredients have additional benefits for your skin. Cucumber is hydrating, honey is nourishing, and black tea is an effective antioxidant.

For Clogged Pores: Egg White and Lemon Juice mask

Ingredients:
2 Egg Whites
1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Steps:

  1. Mix 1 egg white and lemon juice in a bowl
  2. Apply to your blackheads, avoiding your eyes
  3. Soak 3 -4 cotton pads in the remaining egg white and place it onto the applied areas in step 1
  4. Allow cotton pads to dry
  5. Once dry, slowly peel off
  6. Rinse your face with cool water

This is a DIY peel-off mask that will help reduce blackheads. Egg whites help to tighten your pores and fight against acne while lemon juice can be used as a skin astringent, closing pores and tightening your skin. Do use lemon juice sparingly as it is still a naturally occurring acid.

These DIY facial recipes are perfect for lazy days at home, or even a girls night in! Start the year out right by taking good care of your skin while getting the most bang for your buck by creating your very own natural face masks at home. You’ll be sure to thank us!

hypopigmentation-compressed

Understanding hypopigmentation with 28Cubed

What is hypopigmentation?

Hypopigmentation refers to patches of skin on your body or face that lack colour or are lighter in colour from your overall skin tone. This occurs when your skin is unable to produce enough melanin and may be caused by a variety of different genetic or environmental factors. Examples of some of the most common causes and conditions are listed down below:

Hypopigmentation
(cr:medicalnewstoday)

Albinism

A rare genetic defect, albinism is caused when one’s skin is unable to produce melanin – causing their hair and skin to appear white, and their eyes to have less pigment. Because melanin serves as a means for our skin to protect us from the sun’s UV rays, albinos are more prone to sunburn and can cause burning, peeling, blisters, hard or wrinkled skin, and bumps or wounds that can develop into skin cancer and be life-threatening. Thus, it is important for them to adequately protect themselves from the sun by staying indoors and wearing sun protection.

Vitiligo

Individuals with vitiligo have patches of skin that are lighter in colour. These patches may be found all over their body and/or face. The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by an autoimmune disease that damages melanin producing cells. The lighter patches of skin are more prone to sunburn and should be protected against the sun’s UV rays.

Scars and burns, Healed blisters, Infections

The healing of infections, burns, and blisters may result in scars that are lighter in colour compared to the skin around it – resulting in hypopigmentation. These forms of discolouration may be temporary or long term, depending on the individual.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin experiences an allergic reaction/ irritation from contact with a substance. These reactions often come in the form of red, itchy rashes and is neither contagious nor life threatening. This reaction could lighten the skin – resulting in hypopigmentation.

How do I cure my hypopigmentation?

As stated by DermNet New Zealand, hypopigmentation will likely resolve itself as the affected skin cells begin to heal. The skin cells in the should be able to produce melanin again within the next skin rejuvenation cycles. If unsure or you think your hypopigmentation could be a sign of something more severe, visit a medical professional for a consultation.

Hypopigmentation is defined as the lack of melanin pigment within your skin, on various parts of your body. This results in various areas being lighter coloured as compared to the rest of your natural skintone. Thus, because The Lightening Serum targets the production of excess melanin, it might not be able to even out your skin tone entirely.

However, if you do suffer from age spots, liver spots, melasma, or dark scarring on other parts of your body, The Lightening Serum will be able to even these spots of dark pigmentation out.