I booked in for a facial with a local beautician in Woollahra and was pleasantly surprised to discover that all she used was natural food ingredients such as cocao, avocado, banana, spirulina and honey. She was very experienced and personally found that nature provided incredible benefits for the skin and as a result made the switch for her clients many years earlier.

So naturally I came home elated that I could create a similar experience at home (without the hundred dollar price tag), and thus I began researching natural ingredients and how they benefited my skin.

Every Friday night is my DIY self-care face mask night. I follow each mask with an all natural face oil blend that soaks right into my skin leaving it looking and feeling absolutely divine!

Here are the DIY recipes I have on rotation. Researched tried and tested by yours truly…

Use these masks once per week for a month and you will be amazed by how they will transform your skin (perhaps more than your go-to chemical options).

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Matcha Antioxidant Face Mask

I share my love affair with Matcha here, showcasing the incredible benefits of this drink and why I made the switch from coffee.

Matcha is one of the most potent antioxidants with powerful anti-aging ‘polyphenols’ which reduce inflammation and evens skin tone. It has healing properties and increases collagen production and skin elasticity.

This face mask reduces blemishes, inflammation and pigmentation, evens skin tone and increases collagen production and skin elasticity.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon Matcha Powder (I use d.e.w Match & Mint)

• 1/4 mashed avocado

• 1 teaspoon raw organic or manuka honey

Mix the mashed avocado, honey and Matcha to form a paste. Spread the honey over your face and neck using circular movements. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and remove with a warm, wet washcloth.

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Red Grape Moisturizing Mask

Red Grapes contain a chemical called resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the production of collagen.

Avocado Oil is a great natural moisturiser with rich healthy fat content that works to encourage skin regeneration and may be particularly beneficial to dry, sun-damaged, or sensitive skin. We go through an avocado a day, and occasionally I’ll open one that is overripe because we bought too many (Never, ever eat the black or discoloured parts of your avo as these contain mould toxins and histamine). Instead of throwing this out, I use it that evening in a face mask.

This mask with leave your skin feeling smooth, yet firm.

Ingredients:

• 5 red grapes

• 2–3 teaspoons avocado oil

• 1 tablespoon raw organic or manuka honey

Combine the red grapes, avocado oil and honey in a blender. Apply the mask to the face, and leave for 10–15 minutes and remove with a warm, wet washcloth.

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Firming and Brightening Lemon Mask

For a brighter complexion, look no further than lemon. Citrus fruits as a group contain high levels of vitamin C, which supports the production of collagen and boosts skin elasticity when applied topically and the alpha-hydroxy acids help to even out skin tone.

Egg whites are full of collagen making this DIY natural face mask perfect for any self-care ritual.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Combine 1 egg white and lemon juice. Rub onto your face and leave for 2 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

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Vitamin A Anti-Aging Carrot Face Mask

Retinol (Vitamin A) is a buzz word in the beauty industry known as a vital anti-aging vitamin which works wonders on your skin when applied naturally. Carrots fight against free radicals, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, delays premature aging and also helps to stimulate cellular renewal that rejuvenates the skin.

Sour cream, like all fermented milk products, contains lactic acid which has a natural peel quality, helps the skin to retain moisture, stimulates the production of collagen and like yoghurt gently exfoliates the skin reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sour cream

• 1 tablespoon raw organic or manuka honey

• 2 organic carrots, peeled and boiled/ steamed.

Wash, peel and cut the carrots into small pieces and boil or steam. You will want these very soft. When ready mash with a fork until you have a paste. Add in the sour cream and honey, mix well and apply to your face in a circular motion. Leave for 20-30 minutes then rinse off with cool water and a wash cloth if needed.

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Dark Spots And Skin Discolouration Parsley Face Mask

Parsley is a great source of vitamins and nutrients and well known for its skin lightening properties that can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloured skin on your face.

Combine this with Apple Cider Vinegar and this gentle all-natural acid will effectively remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Lastly Yoghurt will increase the exfoliation of this mask using natural enzymes to soften your skin and reduce fine lines, plus the probiotics in cultured yogurt can work both internally when you eat it, and externally when it is applied to the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of chopped fresh Organic Parsley

• 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar

• 3 tablespoons of Plain Organic Yogurt

Apply to face (avoid the eye area) and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water or using a wash cloth.

Note: try to avoid this face mask if you are intending to go out in the sun for long periods the following day as it can make some people’s skin sensitive to sun exposure