Dear Dr. Cutler,

My facial skin is in need of help, and I’ve heard that natural masks might really be beneficial. Could you give me some tips on what ingredients would be most effective and how to apply them?

—Meghan F.

Dear Meghan,

What you’ve heard is very true—natural masks tighten your skin and increase your blood flow for enhanced healing. They can be made from cucumber, avocado, papaya, banana, honey, lemon, oatmeal or raspberries, and I will provide you with some recipes to choose from below. But the basic instructions for using a mask are the following:

1. Put your hair up or cover it with a shower cap.
2. Cleanse your face and apply the particular mask you’ve chosen.
3. Lie back and relax for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. At the sink, use a washcloth dampened with warm water to gently remove the mask.
5. Finish by pampering your skin with your favorite moisturizer.

A note to remember: If you have sensitive, sunburned, wind-burned or irritated skin, do not use papaya, lemon or raspberry masks because of their natural acidity.

Face Mask Recipes

Banana Face Mask (all skin types)

Mash a 2-inch portion of a very ripe banana for a skin-soothing facial. For dry skin, add ½ teaspoon of heavy cream to the mashed banana.

Honey Face Mask (all skin types)
Pour 1 teaspoon of raw honey in your palm. With a couple of fingers, dab a very thin coating over your face and neck. Honey draws moisture from the air to your skin, and as time elapses, your circulation will increase with a glow or peachiness that you may see.

Oatmeal Face Mask (all skin types)

Oatmeal is soothing to irritated or itchy skin. And if you use a coffee mill or blender to grind it into a powder, it makes a silky base for a soothing facial. Combine 4 teaspoons ground oatmeal and 5 teaspoons buttermilk in a small bowl and allow the mixture to thicken for a few minutes, stirring to remove any lumps.

Avocado Face Mask (normal to dry or very dry skin)

The same good fats that make avocado a superior dietary option also make it wonderful for a facial, and it’s an excellent source of vitamin E, as well. For use as a facial mask, mash the peeled pulp of a small, ripe avocado until it’s similar to guacamole. But be prepared that as the avocado mask warms up on your skin, it will tend to get a little runny. Try this treatment twice a week in the dry winter months.

Papaya Face Mask (oily to normal or slightly dry skin)

Remove the seeds of the papaya and mash the pulp in a bowl. Then apply the mask to your face as directed above. A papaya mask will tingle a bit because of the fruit’s acidity, but this is helping you get rid of dead skin.

Raspberry Face Mask (normal to oily skin)

These berries contain a natural lactic acid—just like milk does—which gently exfoliates on a chemical level. The lactic acid in the raw fruit also has a gentle bleaching action. To take advantage of the natural nourishment of raspberries, in a small bowl, mash ¼ cup of raspberries (seeds included) with a fork until they are nearly smooth. If the berries are a little dry, add a small amount of water until the pulp is juicy. Then stir in 2 teaspoons of finely ground white clay—available at health food stores) and 2 teaspoons ground oatmeal, mixing until a spreadable paste forms. Allow the mixture to thicken for a minute or two. And if it’s too thick, add more water; if it’s too thin, add more oats.

All the best!

Michael Cutler, M.D.