4 DIY Peel-Off Face Masks for Every Skin Care Need

Were you obsessed with Bioré nose strips in the ninth grade? Same. The cult classic beauty product was a staple in my skincare routine and was usually the step after cleansing with St. Ives Apricot Scrub but before applying Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon Lotion. As a teen, I was totally fascinated with seeing just how much gunk these little gems could pull out of my pores and, of course, my desire for blackhead-free skin hasn’t gone away over the years. 

But one thing has definitely changed since my high school days: I’ve become more conscious about what ingredients I’m putting on my face. So that’s why I turned to non-toxic face mask aficionado and founder of the first zero-waste skin-care brand, LOLI Beauty, Tina Hedges for an all-natural (and full-face) version of my trusted Bioré strips. Here, she shares her four favorite DIY peel-off face mask recipes that help tackle different complexion concerns. So whether you’re trying to boost radiance, tame oil or just get creative with your self-care routine, these spa-like masks have you covered for less than you spent renting Clueless from Blockbuster.

The easiest way to create a food-based peel-off mask is with gelatin, which is obtained from animal collagen and helps bind the ingredients together to create a sticky effect. If you prefer a vegan version, Hedges has a mask recipe you can create without gelatin. Instead of peeling it off, you gently rub to remove the mask, so it gives the same exfoliating effect while also reducing the amount of water you need to use compared to a standard wash-away mask. Start with one of these bases and then find the recipe for the liquid blend based on the skin issue you want to tackle further down.

Ingredients

• 5 tsp liquid (*) - choose from skin condition blends below
• 2 tsp gelatin powder

Directions:

1. Put liquid blend in a clean, heat-resistant glass bowl 
2. Add 2 tsp of unflavored gelatin powder
3. Put the bowl in a double boiler and stir vigorously until the powder is fully dissolved
4. Use a face mask brush to apply to face
5. Leave on for 10 minutes or until it dries
6. Peel off the mask in an upward direction

Ingredients:

• 5 tsp liquid(*)- choose from skin condition blends below
• 1 tsp cassava powder
• 1 tsp oatmeal powder
• 1 tsp arrowroot powder

Directions:

1. Put liquid blend in a clean glass bowl that is heat-resistant
2. Add 1 tsp each of the cassava, oatmeal and arrowroot powders
3. Put the bowl in a double boiler and stir vigorously until the powder is fully dissolved
4. If mixture is too dry, add 1/2 to 1 tsp more liquid; if there’s too much liquid, add 1/2 tsp more cassava powder
5. Use a face mask brush to apply to face
6. Leave on for 7 to 10 minutes or until it’s almost dry but soft to the touch
7. Gently massage to rub off the mask and rinse residue

Blend these ingredients in a bowl and add to your base:

• 3 tsp almond milk
• 3 tsp rose hydrosol
• 3 drops plum or almond oil

Why It Works: If your skin’s still recovering from the summer heat, a mixture of almond milk, almond oil and rose hydrosol will help quench it. The vitamin E in almond milk and oil works to restore moisture while rose hydrosol (i.e., distilled rose petals) has antibacterial qualities that soothe irritated skin. Seriously, watch those dry patches soften and forehead lines become less pronounced.

Blend these ingredients in a bowl and add to your base:

• 1 tsp yogurt or kefir (you can use dairy or coconut)
• 2 tsp coconut vinegar
• 4 tsp sweet orange water

Why it works: The powerful trio of yogurt, coconut vinegar and orange water gives a burst of energy to lackluster skin. Orange’s antioxidant-rich vitamin C helps to brighten and yogurt’s lactic acid is a natural mild exfoliant that dissolves impurities to reveal more radiant-looking skin. Coconut vinegar is an ingredient you likely haven’t heard of before and that’s probably due to the fact that apple cider vinegar has stolen all the DIY skin-care spotlight. But, actually, coconut vinegar is more effective than ACV (and gentler, too!) since it’s packed with amino acids and PH-balancing vitamins B and C. Apply this mask on days when you’re surviving off of iced red eyes and suffering through a sleep cycle that’s making your fitness watch cringe. 

Blend these ingredients in a bowl and add to your base:

• 3 tsp kombucha
• 3 tsp blue cornflower hydrosol
• 3 drops sea buckthorn seed oil

What it does: If you haven’t heard, probiotics are having a moment in the skin-care world and your favorite gut-friendly drink, kombucha, is chock-full of them. Used topically, it helps the skin maintain a healthy bacteria balance, which keeps breakouts at bay. The fermentation of kombucha also breaks down the next two ingredients—blue cornflower hydrosol (for added moisture) and sea buckthorn oil (for its anti-inflammatory properties)—making them even more effective.

Blend these ingredients in a bowl and add to your base:

• 3 tsp coconut or apple cider vinegar
• 3 tsp witch hazel
• 1/2 tsp manuka honey
• 1 drop turmeric essential oil

What it does: If you’re desperately trying to clear up breakouts (and let’s face it, who’s not?), this blemish-fighting formula will do the trick. Honey is naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, making it a great at-home treatment for stopping acne-causing bacteria. Mixed with turmeric to fade dark spots, apple cider vinegar whose alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) exfoliate and improve skin’s texture, and witch hazel to draw out excess oil, and you have an effective potion for clearer skin. This mask isn’t magic, though. Consistent use (once or twice a week for a month or two) is necessary to see results.

1. Always apply to clean, dry skin.
2. Do not apply the mask close to your eyes, eyebrows, hairline or lips, as these areas are sensitive.
3. Do a patch test before applying a mask to your entire face to see if your skin is sensitive to any of the ingredients. The inside of your forearm is a good place to test it out.