Summer is the season for spending as much time outdoors as possible, on road trips, or by the beach. However, you need to stay alert about what things can dry out your skin.

The chief culprit is the sun. Chilling out in an airconditioned room and swimming in a chlorinated pool and are two other guaranteed ways to dry out your skin. If your diet leans heavily on alcohol and salty barbecues, these affect your skin too.

Moisturizing regularly, sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and using a humidifier in airconditioned rooms help to fight dryness.

However, adding a face mask to your routine provides extra benefits like balancing natural oils, replenishing your complexion, and reducing the appearance of dullness.

DIY summer face masks for ultimate moisture

To reap maximum benefits from masking, use an all-natural formula comprised of only pure ingredients. To get the best results, whip up some DIY face masks at home.

Some tips before you get started

RESEARCH

Make sure you do thorough research about the company or brand you're purchasing. Many brands incorrectly label their products as natural when there are chemicals in the formula. When using fresh produce, organic is best since it doesn't have pesticides.

CLEANSE

Ensure you thoroughly clean your face before doing a mask.

APPLICATION

To apply your mask, spread an even and generous layer across your neck, face, and collarbone area. Most hydrating masks are safe to use near eyes and mouth, but it's better to do a patch test first.

OILY SKIN

If your t-zone is oily, but you're dry elsewhere, you can double mask. Apply the hydrating mask on your dry areas and an oil absorbent one in the oily areas. 

Simple DIY for oily skin: mix kaolin clay with enough water to make a paste. Add 3-5 drops of a clarifying essential oil such as tea tree or sweet orange. Use rose or lavender oil if you have inflammation from a breakout.

MASK REMOVAL

Wash off the mask with a soft washcloth dipped in warm (not hot) water. Use gentle patting motions to remove the bulk of the product before rinsing with lukewarm water.

TIMING

The best time to mask is when you have enough time for it. You'll get the best results from leaving the product on the skin for 20 -40 minutes. The fantastic thing about hydrating masks is that they never get stiff those meant for oily skin. So you get to put your feet up and dive into that summer read or movie.

MAINTENANCE

Remember, no beauty product is going to replace taking care of yourself. Ensure you're drinking plenty of water, practicing a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing your stress levels, getting enough sleep,and limiting alcohol intake.

DIY face mask recipes

Remember, hydrating masks restore moisture, so these formulas have a more creamy consistency.

Aloe, cucumber, and lavender face mask

FOR PARCHED, SUNBURNT SKIN

Sometimes, we wear SPF, but somehow, our skin gets sunburnt. This rejuvenating mask uses only three ingredients but is potent. Aloe, cucumber, and lavender essential oil soothe, heal, hydrate, and improve the appearance of your skin tone.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel

Half a cucumber

2-3 drops of lavender essential oil

METHOD:

Cut the cucumber into slices, then toss them into a blender and mix until thoroughly pureed. Next, add lavender essential oil and aloe vera gel and blend until smooth.

Purifying honey and banana mask

FOR OILY, DEHYDRATED SKIN

You might know that oily-skinned people don't experience dry skin. However, there are those whose skin is oily, but they experience dehydration. 

Banana provides moisture and eliminates bacteria that cause inflammation and breakouts. Honey is antibacterial and balances the skin's natural oils. Also, it reduces the appearance of dullness and is extremely hydrating. Orange juice removes oil, dirt, and impurities while providing an instant glow.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons of organic honey
• 1 fully ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon of freshly-squeezed orange juice

METHOD:

Using a fork, thoroughly mash the banana in a mixing bowl. Tip: use a food processor to eliminate all the chunks. Add orange juice and honey, then mix thoroughly.

Papaya and cacao glow mask

FOR DULL, FLAKY SKIN

Flakiness is a sign of dry skin. But for you to replenish moisture into your skin, you first have to remove the flakes. Otherwise, your face oils, serums, and moisturizers won't penetrate. 

Cacao powder has numerous benefits for the skin, such as reducing the appearance of dullness, providing an instant glow, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and eliminating impurities.

Papaya contains exfoliating enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells, thus removing the flakes. The vitamin-rich aloe vera (A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12) leaves your skin feeling smoother and calmer and gives you radiance.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 papaya

1 tablespoon of cacao powder

1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel

METHOD:

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until smooth. To eliminate chunks, use a food processor or blender to puree the papaya before adding the aloe and papaya.

Brightening and hydrating strawberry and yogurt mask

FOR LACKLUSTER, DRY SKIN

Strawberries contain lots of powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols, Vitamin C, and anthocyanin, which protect your skin from environmental stressors such as the sun. Yogurt contains natural lactic acid, making it an effective exfoliant while having an emollient effect on your skin.

INGREDIENTS:

4 or 5 medium-sized strawberries

2 teaspoons of Greek yogurt

METHOD:

Mix the berries and yogurt with a blender until smooth. 

Scoop out and apply generously after a long day in the sun. Enjoy!

With love,

​The Sole Toscana Beauty Team