I Made a Face Mask for Under $1. The Results Were Seriously Surprising.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023
Easy to make, simple to use and wallet-friendly. What's not to like?
If I had back every dollar I’ve spent on face creams, masks and lotions, I could probably retire tomorrow. Smoother, tighter, brighter, wrinkle-free—all the promises somehow never seem to live up to the cost. With popular brands suggesting I drop $12 or even $70 for radiant results, I decided to experiment by making my own face mask using items readily available. The goal: create a face mask that’s just as good as the top-tier brands for under $1. Here are the results.
The Research
There are thousands of recipes for DIY face masks out there, but I wanted to use typical food ingredients and standard pantry items that were easily available and budget-friendly. That eliminated pricey essential oils and obscure potions. My skin tends toward the oily/combination side, and wrinkles seem to multiply daily, so I chose ingredients geared toward moisturizing, hydrating and tightening my skin.
Avocados
Avocados provide lots of health benefits when consumed, so I did a little digging to discover their benefits when applied topically to the skin. Turns out they’re just as good for you on the outside as they are on the inside. Avocados are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals that have been shown to help soften and hydrate the skin, heal acne and inflammation, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone and elasticity. Sign me up!
Yogurt
Many of the DIY face mask recipes I researched included plain yogurt. Yogurt contains lactic acid which can help dissolve dead skin cells, gently exfoliating the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Yogurt is also a good moisturizer, can help relieve sunburn and reduce skin discoloration. Works for me.
Honey
I included honey as another natural way to lubricate the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, particularly in combination with the yogurt. (I also thought it might help the mask stick to my face!) Honey is a humectant, which means it can pull moisture from the air and bind it to the skin—more moisture equals smoother skin.
Egg White
Finally, to tighten my skin and erase fine lines and wrinkles, I included an egg white. Egg whites contain collagen and protein which help skin maintain its elasticity. They can draw oil from and tighten pores, fighting outbreaks and creating a smoother, firmer finish. And who doesn’t want that?
My DIY Face Mask Recipe
What You’ll Need:
• 1/2 ripe avocado, mashed smooth (Here’s how to tell if an avocado is ripe.)
• 1 teaspoon plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey (use raw, unprocessed honey if available)
• 1 egg white (Here’s how to separate an egg.)
What You’ll Do:
1. Whip the egg white.
First, I separated an egg, retaining the egg white. Then I whisked the egg white until it was frothy.
2. Mash the avocado.
Then I mashed an avocado into a smooth, creamy paste, blending out any large chunks.
3. Mix the ingredients.
Next, I added the yogurt, honey and egg white to the mashed avocado. I mixed it all together and had a bowl of lovely green slime.
4. Apply the mask.
I gently smoothed the mask over my face using circular motions, avoiding the eye and lip area. After 15 minutes the mask had dried and darkened in color.
5. Remove and rinse.
I removed the mask with a couple of cotton pads and warm water, which wasn’t difficult, but I recommend doing it over the sink. A final splash of cool water and a towel finished things off.
The Results
The DIY face mask recipe above will make more than enough for two masks. I used the mask twice a week before bed for several weeks as a test. The first week, I kept the remainder in the bowl I had mixed it in and covered the surface tightly with plastic wrap. After three days, the avocado had darkened considerably, as avocado exposed to air does, so it didn’t look very appealing, but I could scrape off the top and use the mixture underneath. After making another batch the second week, I transferred the remainder into a small-mouth plastic container, covered the surface with olive oil and used it again two days later, which worked much better. I still scraped a thin layer off the top, but what remained was as good as new.
I’d like to say I look 20 years younger, but alas, such is not the case. However, I did feel that immediately after using the mask my skin felt noticeably softer and smoother. The next day, I felt like my skin looked slightly smoother and tighter. While I think this effect was only temporary, using this DIY face mask the night before a special occasion or an event is definitely something I’ll keep in mind.
Also, using the mask didn’t cause my skin to break out, which has happened with some of the pricier products I’ve used. (Whenever you try a new face product or make a DIY face mask, always test it in small, inconspicuous area first to see how your skin reacts.) Overall, I really liked the way my skin looked and felt after using this DIY face mask. I will definitely make it again.
Analyzing the Cost
I figured the cost of the mask by estimating only the portion I actually used of the ingredients I purchased. These are all items I would normally have in my kitchen, or could easily obtain from the local grocery store.
Avocado: $ .50
(I bought it for $.99, but only used half. Tuck the rest into a taco or tomato & avocado sandwiches.)
Yogurt: $ .03
(1 teaspoon of a 5.3 oz. container of plain Greek yogurt at $1.00 Use the rest to make Parmesan Yogurt Dip.)
Honey: $ .06
(I used 1 teaspoon of a 12-oz. bottle of honey at $4.00.)
Egg: $ .20
(I always have a dozen eggs in the fridge. One dozen cage-free eggs cost me $2.40)
TOTAL: $.79Â (FOR 2+ MASKS = about $ .40 each)
The last hydrating face cream I bought was $68 and did little except for cause break outs. So was my DIY face mask a bargain? At $ .40 per mask, (at twice a week that’s $3.20 per month), I would definitely say I got my money’s worth.
My Conclusion
Would I recommend making your own DIY face mask? Absolutely, if you have the time, know your skin type and do a little research about ingredients that target your troublesome areas. Try using natural food and pantry items that can provide health benefits for you inside and out—because true beauty comes from both.
While you’re at it, check out these foods you can eat to help you look younger.
Set a goal for drinking water
One of the simplest ways to make sure that you drink more water each day is to set a goal—and stick to it. When we have a target, it's far easier to take actionable steps toward it. Figuring out how much water you should drink a day is easy. Simply divide your weight by 2.2, then multiply that number using the following guidelines:- If you’re younger than 30, multiply by 40
- If you’re between 30 and 50, multiply by 35
- If you’re older than 55, multiply by 30
Add some fruit to your water
Mix things up when it comes to your water game. Try infused water! Chop up some fruit, such as strawberries or oranges and add the slices to a pitcher of water. The drink will be so refreshing and tasty, you won't be able to stop yourself from drinking the whole lot.
Track how much you sip
No clue how much water you usually drink? You're not alone. Tracking your water consumption is a genius way to stay on top of it. There are a couple of apps you can use, such as Waterlogged or Waterbalance, that do all the hard work for you. All you have to do is tap the app each time you drink a glass of H2O!
Sip water before you eat
When you're seriously hungry, the last thing that's likely to be on your mind is reaching for a tall glass of water, but maybe you should. Often enough, when we're thirsty, it can feel like hunger. To help prevent dehydration, drink a little water before you sit down to eat.
Get a filter pitcher
Don't have a water filter pitcher yet? Purchasing a filter jug that removes contaminants that can have an off-flavor is an excellent way to keep your drinking water safe and increase your cups per day. Keep the pitcher in the front of the fridge so you'll see it each time you open the door. It will be a constant reminder of what you need to do! Manufacturers like Brita, ZeroWater, Larq and Waterdrop offer a variety of models that are efficient and affordable.
Always carry a water bottle
One of the major reasons that so many people forget to drink water is that they don't have it on hand. There's a simple way to solve that problem! Make sure that you carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. Invest in a good quality bottle that keeps your water chilled, is easy to clean and compact enough to tote along with you.
Eat foods that are rich in water
If you're not a big drinker (or always forget your water at home), there's another way to get a little more H2O in your diet. Why not eat foods that are water-rich? For example, lettuce, cucumber and watermelon are refreshing and super hydrating foods.
Have some spicy food
There's nothing quite like the kick of spice from fresh jalapeno recipes. If you're a spice-loving fiend, you should have no problem when trying to drink more water. The next time that you have a hot, hot meal, make sure you have a large glass of water on the side. The spices should encourage you to drink more than usual.
Quit drinking juice and soda
Spoiler: Juices and sodas are packed full of sugar and calories. When you cut them out, replace them with water and you may find that you naturally lose weight and feel much better. Interestingly, drinking hot water may have even more benefits. Ready to ditch soda once and for all? Here's how soda affects your body.
Hit the gym after work
Guess what? Gym bunnies crave water 24/7. It's because exercising makes you super thirsty. Not only is hitting the gym and getting active great for your lifestyle, but it also means that you naturally crave more water. In turn, you'll look and feel great after drinking enough water every day.
Sip a glass while you're waiting for your coffee or tea to brew
Enjoy a daily cup of joe? While you're waiting for your coffee to brew or your tea to steep, drink an 8-ounce glass of water. Remember that caffeine from all types of coffee can have a slight diuretic effect, which means it may cause your body to lose water. To make up for that, nutritionists recommend at least one cup of water for every cup of coffee or two cups of black tea.
