DIY: Strawberry Face Mask

In the novel Cat’s Cradle, Little Newt describes his father’s face having “pores as big as the craters of the moon.” Who would want that sort of description for their face? And of course there are a countless amount of manufactured products that can help reduce this problem, most of which contain chemicals whose names can’t even be pronounced.

That can be a little confusing because you usually don’t know what exactly is in the product. But even if you looked at the ingredient list, what the heck is octisalate? This is why some people like to make their own homemade recipes. One student says that she believes in natural remedies because they helped remove blackheads and reduce the size of the pores around her nose.

According to http://www.dermadoctor.com, pores can appear larger for a number of reasons such as having oily skin, aging and even sun damage. One of the main reasons why pores appear so enlarged is because of poor exfoliation. This all-natural strawberry sugar cleanser is made specifically to reduce the appearance of large pores.

Strawberries naturally contain salicylic acid, which helps to gently exfoliate the skin. Salicylic acid sweeps out the dead skin cells, tightens pores, and gives your face a refreshing glow. Additionally, strawberries are high in antioxidants, which are great for reversing the effects of sun damage.

The second ingredient in the cleanser is cane sugar. Cane sugar contains glycolic acid, a natural acid found in fruits that have the ability to go under the surface of the skin and destroy the “glue” that binds dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. By destroying this “glue,” dead cells are washed away, giving the skin a healthier appearance. In addition to these two ingredients, a small amount of honey has been added because it has the ability to attract and retain moisture, making it a fantastic skin moisturizer and purifier.

Although you can get soft, luminescent skin after the first use, the cleanser must be used 2-3 times a week for at least two weeks to reduce the size of pores. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, it is not recommended for you to attempt to use this facial mask.

Preparation of the Cleanser:

1. Take 4-5 freshly rinsed strawberries and place them in a bowl. Rinsing the strawberries beforehand can help remove any impurities which may be present on the surface.

2. With a fork, mash the strawberries until it forms a liquid-like consistency.

3.  Add 1/2 cup of cane sugar.

4. Add 3 spoonfuls of honey and mix thoroughly.

Application:

1. Before applying the cleanser, steam your face. Steaming your face allows the pores to open up, so that the ingredients can better penetrate the skin.

2. Apply the cleanser with a facial cotton pad by rubbing it gently onto the skin in circular motions for about 10-15 seconds, concentrating on the enlarged pores.

3. Rinse with luke-warm water, and pat your face dry.

You can store the excess face mask in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Tara Temkar can be reached at taratemkar@gmail.com.