about face so long summer

DIY TURMERIC & LEMON BRIGHTENING FACE MASK

With the colder months fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to kick off a beauty series to keep our skin glowing and hydrated all winter long. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my favorite DIY face masks, scrubs, winter skincare tips, and more! For a glimpse into my daily routine, check out my Natural Vegan Skincare Routine.

Wouldn’t it be nice to keep that summer glow all year round? This DIY mask is not only brightening but also perfect for acne-prone skin (or any skin type!) while giving you a healthy, radiant complexion.

Now, a quick disclaimer: the vegan police might be after me for this one… While I don’t consume honey, I’ve always appreciated its medicinal properties for the skin, especially Manuka honey, which has endless healing benefits. I actually picked up a bottle of Manuka honey from Trader Joe’s over the summer without thinking much of it. But then I started feeling guilty, since vegans typically avoid honey. There’s a lot of debate within the vegan community about this, which I dive deeper into in my post about Plant-Based vs. Vegan. If you’re concerned, you can always swap out the honey for agave nectar to get that same sticky consistency!

Normally, I wouldn’t purchase products with honey, but I had this small bottle lying around, and instead of letting it go to waste, I’ve decided to use it for beauty purposes, like in this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask.

A fun fact: Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, where bees feed on the nectar of the Tea Tree Plant. It’s the perfect addition to this mask for an extra glow boost!

THIS POTENT MANUKA HONEY IS ESPECIALLY GREAT FOR:

  • Healing acne and scarring
  • Fighting skin infections
  • Cleaning pores while naturally exfoliating
  • Helping skin retain moisture
  • Rejuvenating radiance and softness

NOT TO MENTION ITS:

  • Anti-bacterial properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Anti-fungal qualities
  • High in antioxidants to protect the skin

What makes it even more special is its thicker consistency compared to regular honey, with a cloudy appearance. After soaking up some of this healing Manuka honey, my skin feels totally moisturized, balanced, and soft—it’s magical!

I’m no honey expert (I picked mine up from Trader Joe’s), but I know that higher-quality Manuka honey products are out there, like this one from Manuka Doctor, which has a higher UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) score, indicating more potency. You can really feel the difference with a higher UMF—it’s like a supercharged version of regular honey!

The next essential ingredient for this DIY face mask is turmeric – a true wonder spice, and not just for your curry recipes! This vibrant, golden powder is incredibly beautifying. I was inspired to include it in this mask from my Golden Glow Elixir Juice, which you all seemed to love as much as I did (plus, it’s great for boosting immunity during the winter months!).

Turmeric has been used for centuries in beauty rituals, especially by Indian brides who use turmeric body scrubs and masks before their weddings to achieve that head-to-toe glow. The spice is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help to brighten and even out skin tone, while also giving you a luminous, radiant complexion. It’s like liquid gold for your skin!

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC:

Turmeric is a powerhouse when it comes to skincare, offering a range of benefits:

  • Reduces redness
  • Treats breakouts
  • Helps with age spots
  • Reduces scarring and hyperpigmentation
  • Helps to heal psoriasis and eczema
  • Brightens and tones
  • Anti-inflammatory properties

While fresh turmeric would be even better for this mask, I only had ground turmeric on hand, which still works wonders. Just a heads-up—turmeric is known to stain, so be sure to wear a shirt you don’t mind getting a little messy and dry your face with a dark towel. The turmeric will leave a slight yellow tint on your skin, but don’t worry! I usually wash my face with my regular sulfur soap once or twice after the mask, and the yellow tint disappears with no problem. Just a little heads-up to ensure you’re prepared!

Next up is fresh lemon juice! Lemon is packed with vitamin C, which is essential for brightening and evening out your skin tone. It’s also anti-bacterial, making it especially helpful for breakouts, while acting as a natural exfoliant to give your skin that healthy radiance. Lemon is also known to help fade acne scars over time, making it a great addition to this mask. Don’t worry though—this mask won’t sting like lemon juice sometimes does on its own! It actually feels soothing and balancing on the skin.

The final ingredient is oats, which are incredibly moisturizing, exfoliating, and softening. I blended my oats a bit in the food processor to make them finer, but you can also use oat flour if that’s easier. Just a heads-up, the mask can get a little messy depending on how finely ground your oats are, so be sure to apply it over the sink to make cleanup easier. The oats will help lock in moisture while gently sloughing off dead skin, leaving you with smooth, soft skin.

CONCLUSION

And there you have it—this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask is the perfect way to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the colder months! With the power of Manuka honey, turmeric, fresh lemon juice, and oats, this mask works wonders to brighten, exfoliate, and heal your skin, all while leaving it soft, smooth, and balanced.

Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, acne scars, or just want to keep your skin glowing, this mask has got you covered. Plus, it’s natural, vegan (with the option to substitute for agave), and perfect for anyone looking for a simple yet effective skincare routine.

So, put on your favorite old shirt, get ready for a little mess, and treat your skin to some much-needed love and nourishment. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll be glowing all season long!

Let me know how you like it!

DIY WATERMELON FACE MIST TO MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW

Is there any fruit more refreshing than watermelon? It’s the ultimate summer snack, but this juicy treat does more than just quench your thirst—it can also soothe overheated skin. While fresh, in-season watermelon is a seasonal delight, you can enjoy the benefits of watermelon skin care any time of year. Instead of buying it, why not make your own?

Whenever you crave that summer vibe (or all year round), this refreshing mist recipe is here to help! While you may not be able to bottle the sensation of biting into a fresh watermelon, this mist comes pretty close. Read on to discover how to create this delightful mist!

BENEFITS OF WATERMELON FOR SKIN CARE

You might be wondering what benefits watermelon mist offers for your skin and whether watermelon skincare is more than just a trend.

The truth is, watermelon isn’t just a summer favorite; it’s a valuable addition to your skincare routine. This refreshing fruit is packed with lycopene, a crucial carotenoid that helps protect our skin from sun damage. In fact, some sunscreens are formulated using lycopene extracted from watermelon!

While the exact amount of lycopene in processed watermelon extract isn’t fully known, and nothing can replace a well-formulated sunscreen, watermelon still brings a wealth of benefits to your skin.

Beyond its carotenoid content, watermelon is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that promote healthy, radiant skin. And let’s be honest—a glowing complexion is what we all want, especially when it comes to achieving that coveted watermelon glow!

Other benefits of watermelon for skin care:

Watermelon is packed with vitamins, solutes, and amino acids that are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Notably, it’s particularly rich in citrulline, an amino acid that supports collagen production. This makes it a great choice for boosting skin elasticity.

Additionally, watermelon can help reduce inflammation and redness after sun exposure, making it a perfect post-sun treatment. Its high vitamin C content not only brightens the skin but also plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis. Plus, with its significant lycopene content, watermelon aids in repairing UV damage.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the skin benefits of watermelon.

It’s becoming increasingly clear why a watermelon facial mist (along with other DIY watermelon skincare products) can enhance your skincare routine.

WATERMELON EXTRACT IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

The maximum recommended concentration for watermelon fruit extract in skincare is only about 0.5%. This is why many commercially available watermelon cosmetics often include added fragrance to enhance the scent. Without fragrance, these products would lack the appealing watermelon aroma that attracts consumers.

While products that smell like candy can be tempting, those of us with sensitive or reactive skin often avoid fragrances due to potential irritation. This caution can also apply to anyone conscious of the health and environmental implications of synthetic fragrances.

In my DIY watermelon face spray, even though I wish it had the same delightful candy scent that some commercial products, like Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow line, are said to have, it doesn’t. Instead, it offers a light, fruity aroma that is entirely natural and free from synthetic fragrances that could irritate your skin.

DIY WATERMELON FACE MIST RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 91.5 ml distilled water (see notes)
  • 5 g vegetable glycerin or propanediol
  • 2 g Linatural natural preservative
  • 1 g aloe vera 200x powder
  • 0.5 g watermelon powder fruit extract
  • Pinch of pink beet powder

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

  • 1 g allantoin powder
  • 1 g panthenol liquid
  • 1 g sorbitan oleate

EQUIPMENT

  • Glass lab beakers
  • Cosmetic scale (0.1 g precision)
  • Pipettes for measuring
  • Mini stainless steel whisk
  • Small funnel
  • 4 oz fine mist spray bottle (see notes)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Sanitize Your Workspace: Ensure all tools, equipment, and your work area are clean and sanitized. Wash everything with hot, soapy water and then spray with 70% alcohol. Allow to dry thoroughly.
  • Mix Glycerin and Watermelon Powder:
    • Weigh the vegetable glycerin into a small beaker.
    • Add the watermelon powder and whisk to combine.
  • Incorporate Aloe Powder:
    • Gradually sprinkle the aloe powder into the glycerin mixture, whisking well to prevent clumping.
  • Add Beet Powder:
    • Stir in the pink beet powder until fully dissolved.
  • Include Optional Ingredients:
    • If using, add allantoin, panthenol, and sorbitan oleate at this stage.
  • Combine with Water:
    • Add the distilled water and gently whisk to blend all ingredients.
  • Add Preservative:
    • Finally, mix in the preservative gently.
  • Transfer to Bottle:
    • Pour the mixture into your fine mist spray bottle, and your face spray is ready to use!

RECIPE NOTES

  • Safety & Cleanliness: It’s crucial to ensure all tools and surfaces are sanitized to avoid bacterial contamination in homemade skincare.
  • Storage & Shelf Life: Store your watermelon spray in a cool, dark place or in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. It’s best to use the spray within six months to minimize contamination risks.
  • Batch Size: This recipe yields 100 ml of face mist, which fits perfectly in a 4 oz spray bottle. If you prefer a specific bottle type, the one shown in the photos is from Rail19, though they currently offer only larger sizes.
  • Measuring Ingredients: The total weight of your ingredients should equal 100 g. If you’re adding optional ingredients, subtract their combined weight from the water. Remember, 1 ml of water equals 1 g. For example, if you add 3 g of optional ingredients, reduce the water to 88.5 ml.
  • Ingredient Substitutions: You can use liquid watermelon extract instead of watermelon powder, allowing for a higher percentage (1 to 3%) compared to the powder’s maximum of 0.5%.

CONCLUSION

With this simple DIY watermelon face mist, you can easily incorporate the refreshing and hydrating benefits of watermelon into your daily skincare routine. This natural and affordable recipe is perfect for all skin types, especially those seeking a radiant and glowing complexion. So, why not give it a try and experience the transformative power of watermelon on your skin? Remember, a little natural care can go a long way in achieving a healthy and beautiful you.