turmeric mask before and after

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!

The 12 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin 

Are you bothered by dry skin? It can be difficult to deal with dry skin wherever it appears on your body, especially if it affects your face. Do you struggle to locate a moisturizer that will work for your extremely dry skin? We can assist you in locating the one that will serve your interests the best. Forever put an end to your spotty skin!

Best Overall: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

The Vanicream Daily Face Moisturizer is the way to go. It can be used all over your body and is effective not just on dry skin on the face. Due to a formula rich in hyaluronic acid and five ceramides, it imparts plenty of moisture.

Since the moisturizer doesn’t irritate or trigger breakouts, it is especially suitable for people with sensitive skin. Customers have also mentioned that it effectively hydrates skin all day long and serves as a good makeup base. Yet some people have complained that the moisturizer is too heavy and thick for them, and others have said that it might leave a white cast on the skin. 

Best for Acne-Prone: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

This dermatologist-recommended product helps rebuild the skin’s protective barrier. It’s a great choice to use before makeup because it absorbs quickly on the skin.

La Roche Posay Moisturizer’s review is full of comments which appreciated its non-greasy, lightweight composition. Others loved how effectively it worked under makeup. Some claimed it helped to enhance the texture of their sensitive skin and soothe it. However, others still considered it to be too heavy and it led to outbreaks. A few additional people made comments about the expensive pricing for the little goods. 

Best for Sensitive Skin: Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Face Cream

Due to its high magnesium and potassium content, the Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream is perfect for skin that is prone to breakouts. Additionally, it contains soothing turmeric to even out uneven skin tone and calming magnesium to restore and preserve barrier health. This product is vegan and cruelty-free. It is also devoid of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates, drying alcohols, and synthetic colors.

A significant plus is how light it feels. People adore how deeply moisturized and non-greasy it left their skin feeling. Others praised its relaxing impact on their sensitive skin, while some said it helped to balance out their skin tone and improve the texture of their skin. The product’s natural banana fragrance is highly favored. Nonetheless, some consumers with really dry skin said it wasn’t hydrating enough.

Best Hydrating: Dew Point by Versed Gel Cream 

An ultra-lightweight, non-comedogenic face moisturizer called Dew Point by Versed quickly hydrates and revives the skin without leaving any greasiness or shine. Aloe leaf juice hydrates, green tea extract fights free radicals and inflammation, and sodium hyaluronate draws in and retains moisture. All skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin, can use this gel moisturizer. 

Its jelly-like texture and fast absorption into the skin without leaving any residue were praised by many reviewers. Some reviewers, however, felt it was sticky. A few individuals report side effects such as itchiness and redness after using. 

Best Drugstore: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Want to moisturize your skin without spending a fortune? There isn’t a better choice than this outstanding value. Hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture, and three different kinds of ceramides act in concert to prevent dryness on the body and face. 

The cream is praised by users for being soothing, non-greasy, hydrating, and improving skin texture. It also received a lot of praise from people who have eczema. Others who have used this product well concur. Customers who gave the cream a one-star review, yet typically experienced a negative reaction to it, such as a burning sensation or breakouts, while others said the texture was tacky.

Best for Texture: EltaMD AM Therapy Face Moisturizer

The EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer is perfect if you have dry skin and want a moisturizer that will apply smoothly and feel light. It quickly hydrates skin, leaves almost no residue that can be seen with the unaided eye, and has a cooling effect when used. Willow bark increases skin cell turnover without irritating skin while shearing. Non-comedogenic recipes aid in stimulating cells to increase absorption and retention.

One reviewer called it an “awesome” product that is perfect to use every morning under EltaMD sunscreen and is lightweight. According to a different reviewer, this moisturizer is ideal for sensitive skin and offers wonderful hydration without being greasy or heavy. However, some suggest that it might not be effective for everyone. One reviewer with sensitive skin that is prone to redness found it to be significantly too drying and had an odd aroma.

Best for Redness: Embryolisse Lait Crème

Sensitivity and dryness go hand in hand; both problems are frequently caused by a damaged skin barrier. Thankfully, this moisturizer that makeup artists adore does just that with the aid of shea butter. Aloe vera and other calming components are also included, providing quick relief and aid in reducing redness. 

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré claims that it can wash, moisturize, nourish, and protect the skin. Most consumers have complemented its hydrating and priming benefits, especially for dry skin and the winter. Nonetheless, some users report skin breakouts or displeasure with its thick texture.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Lightweight Face Moisturizer

This moisturizer from Paula’s Choice is an excellent choice for individuals who want to spend a bit extra money. The Omega+ Complex Moisturizer, which is abundant in antioxidants, regenerating ceramides, and superfood omega fatty acids, nourishes delicate skin and soothes any signs of stress and irritability. The skin’s barrier is strengthened, which is the best part because it helps stop further agitation.

The item appears to be a creamy moisturizer that absorbs well and has a pleasing feel that is lightweight. Numerous reviewers say it leaves their skin feeling moisturized and silky. Some reviewers with regular skin, nonetheless did not think it was extremely hydrating or noteworthy.

Best Multitasking: Alleyoop Dream Team 3-in-1 Moisturizer Eye Cream & Mask

Allow us to introduce you to a three-in-one moisturizer that should be on your radar if you want a simple skincare regimen. With its unique recipe, which doubles as both an eye cream and a face mask, you may use fewer items overall in your routine. Our tester favored its cloud-like texture, and three pumps were the ideal quantity.

Customers liked that the product could be used as a daily face moisturizer. Dry skin might benefit from a large application. They particularly loved the bottle pump’s locking function, which makes it portable and prevents spills. The product is suitable for sensitive skin because it has no aroma. Although a few users complained that the lotion gave them minor skin outbreaks, this was not a typical issue.

Best for Rough, Cracked, and Scaly Skin: Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream

With 48 hours of moisture, Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream is a particularly efficient treatment for severely dry skin. Due to its lack of perfumes, dyes, and parabens, it is excellent for sensitive skin and provides long-lasting comfort for excessively dry skin. The lotion is designed to restore extremely dry skin and leave it feeling and looking good.

This product’s cream recipe, which contains ceramides to rebuild the skin barrier and lessen moisture loss, offers rapid relief for extremely dry skin. It is suitable for people with aging skin and illnesses like diabetes, psoriasis, and xerosis. But those who are allergic to lanolin should refrain from using it. Those who like lightweight lotions may not be able to use the thick cream formulation.

Best for Aging Skin: St. Ives Renewing Collagen Elastin Moisturizer

This St. Ives moisturizer claims to soften and restore dry skin since it contains safflower seed oil, elastin, and collagen proteins. Both daytime and nighttime use benefit from its medium consistency. Skin can stretch and snap back into place with the assistance of collagen and elastin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

The formula was recently altered by the firm, and many reviewers dislike the new one. Nevertheless, a resounding majority of reviewers concur that it’s fantastic for dry skin. Some even say that because of the mild formula, it can help skin that is prone to acne. 

Best Natural: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

Weleda’s ultra-rich cream is another exceptional find for people with dry skin because it can be applied to the body as well as the face. To soothe your skin and retain moisture, it uses plant-based oils and other botanical ingredients like calendula, chamomile, pansy, and rosemary. This cream is also free of parabens, phthalates, and artificial perfumes.

The fact that this moisturizer is composed entirely of natural substances makes it a popular choice. Because it is adaptable, consumers can streamline their skincare routine. For those with sensitive skin, the fragrance might not be the best choice, as it can irritate or trigger allergic responses. Additionally, some people can find the product’s texture to be overly heavy, leaving their skin with a greasy or sticky feeling.

Depending on a person’s tastes and skin type, several moisturizers may be the best for dry skin. For extremely dry skin, it is typically advised to use products that contain moisturizing components. It’s critical to pick a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type and issues and to include it in your regular skincare routine. Your skin can be efficiently repaired and protected with the right moisturizer, giving it a healthy appearance.