Toning face mask at home: the best recipes

For a girl, a face is a source of both joy and excitement. When skin problems start, we worry a lot and often try to solve the problem with aggressive methods. And if it doesn’t work out, we rush to the doctors to check our body. But, according to cosmetologists, not all skin problems are related to health. Sometimes it's a matter of proper care. Cosmetologist Olga Pashkovets spoke about how to avoid troubles and stay beautiful and young.

A girl should start taking care of her skin from the moment of puberty.
For some it is 12-13 years, for others 15. The three pillars on which skin care is based are
cleansing, toning and applying the main product.

Cleansing

The function of cleansing is
to remove impurities that accumulate throughout the day. You can carry out the cleansing stage using a means convenient for you - gel, foam, milk. However, it is worth paying attention to the content of surfactants. They destroy the hydrolipid mantle - the protective layer of the skin. This barrier protects the skin from pollution and bacterial penetration. Therefore, when it is disrupted, rashes and other dermatological problems often appear. When the skin is healthy, there are no damage, inflamed elements, or dermatological diseases, then surfactants will not have any effect on the skin. But if there are any nuances, you need to pay attention to it. It is worth remembering: when we wash our face, we avoid the area around the eyes. It requires a separate product.

Micellar water

Micellar water is used to remove makeup before cleansing. Many people believe that wiping their face with micellar water is sufficient cleansing. In fact, it also contains surfactants. This may cause irritation. Without rinsing off, this product can be used on vacation or in emergency situations, the main thing is
for a short time. This cannot be done on an ongoing basis.

Skin types

Cleansing is similar for all ages.
Here you need to focus on the type and condition of your skin, since the amount of active ingredients in the cleanser is small. Conventionally, skin types can be divided into oily, normal, combination and dry. But all this, I repeat, is conditional. For example, oily skin can often be reactive or dehydrated because people with this type are sometimes guilty of excessive use of alcohol-based products. Dry skin tends to be sensitive. Therefore, you need to choose products that are most suitable for your skin type.

Cleansing oily skin

In the case of oily skin, we try to avoid surfactants and alcohols. No need to clean it until it's squeaky clean. For oily skin, acids are good in the composition, usually large molecular ones. For example, almond, which can be used in cleansers both in winter and summer.

Cleansing dry skin

Here we also draw attention to the absence of surfactants. It would be great if the composition contains softening components: ceramides, ceramides, urea. These components work to restore the epidermal barrier.

Cleansing sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is usually very fragile and reactive, so to cleanse this type of skin we use the mildest cleansers, preferably from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Cleansing normal skin

Products for normal skin may contain a small percentage of acids for deeper cleansing. Normal skin is rare.

Deep cleansing

Deep cleansing is necessary for any skin type, but oily and problematic skin needs it especially. Many people find that scrubs are great for this, but I don't recommend using them. -
natural extracts (bromelain, papain)
are better suited for these purposes These are enzymes -
molecules that break down protein bonds. They remove impurities from the skin very gently without disturbing its functions. This universal cleanser can be used for all skin types.

For oily and problematic skin, products with acids can be used for deep cleansing.

Gommage —

another type of deep cleansing. I recommend it for dry and sensitive skin. Again, it is better not to use it for acne and inflammation to avoid mechanical manipulation of the skin.

Cleansing for dermatological diseases

If you have a dermatological disease, you need to be very careful when choosing cleansers. Such patients should be observed by a dermatologist.

Toners for oily and combination skin

• Homemade parsley lotion removes pigmentation from the skin and restores a healthy complexion. Chop four fresh sprigs of parsley and mix with two tablespoons of elderflower flowers, add half a glass of milk and water. Cook for five minutes and let sit for three hours.
• Add two tablespoons of rowan and parsley juice to 40 ml of vodka. You can add lemon juice and use it as a daily lotion.
• The tonic for chapping and peeling skin is prepared as follows: dill and parsley seeds are mixed in equal parts. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave for three hours. We wipe the skin with lotion before going outside.

• Homemade chamomile toner perfectly soothes the skin and eliminates signs of fatigue. Pour half a glass of boiling water over the chamomile tea bag. Pour the cooled liquid into a glass bottle and keep it in the refrigerator. For inflammation and acne, add a tablespoon of vodka to the chamomile tonic.
• Mix chamomile and calendula in equal proportions. Pour boiling water over the herbs and leave for half an hour, strain and use for oily skin. The lotion disinfects the skin and removes sebum from the pores.
• Mix 50 ml of vodka, 150 ml of chamomile infusion and a spoonful of sea buckthorn oil. We wipe the skin morning and evening.
• A toning lotion for oily shine and enlarged pores is prepared from grated orange and poured half a glass of vodka. The product is infused in the dark for up to a week, filtered and mixed with a spoonful of glycerin. The result is a very effective, but at the same time gentle lotion that tones the skin, dries out pimples, and removes blackheads.

Toning

After cleansing comes the toning step, which many people skip, but don’t. Everyone perceives tonic as water, which is of no use. The purpose of a toner is
to cleanse the skin, even out its pH and prepare it for the application of the main product.
Ph is
an indicator of the acid-base environment of the skin. Normally it ranges from 3.9 to 5.5. For example, if the skin is oily, Ph goes into an alkaline environment, which causes bacteria to multiply. That's why we choose tonics with acids to acidify the environment. On the contrary, dry skin has a pH that is more acidic; in this case, tonics are chosen to moisturize and restore.

Why does the skin lose tone?

As a rule, age-related skin atony develops only closer to 37-40 years. However, the moment when the skin begins to thin and sag with age is individual for each person, since this process is determined by its type and genetics.

For some, this happens quite early (those with thin, dry skin need to carefully take care of its tone already in their youth), while for others (usually people with a pronounced subcutaneous fat layer of the skin and/or seborrhea) retain elastic and dense skin before menopause or andropause.

Of the remaining reasons that provoke skin atony, there will be significant weight fluctuations, insufficient skin hydration, taking a number of medications (for example, prednisone) and an unbalanced diet.

Finally, the most common cause of thinning and sagging skin remains ultraviolet damage associated with exposure to active sun.

It should be remembered that damage to the skin can be caused by exposure to both the real sun and a visit to a solarium, so artificial tanning is no healthier than natural tanning.

SPF

For any skin type and at any age, you need to apply SPF during the day. It may already be part of the care product. For the city, 15-30 is enough, for recreation - 30-50
. There is no higher SPF. The main function of this factor is to protect our skin from ultraviolet radiation, which causes photoaging.

Photo: pexels.com

In general, there are two types of aging: chrono- and photoaging. Chronoaging occurs with age and is inevitable. Photoaging is caused by ultraviolet rays, in other words, everyone’s favorite sun. Ultraviolet radiation provokes lipid peroxidation, which results in the formation of free radicals. SPF blocks the penetration of UV radiation and thereby protects our skin from photoaging.

Sanskrin (products with SPF) can be applied to the skincare product. But if you are in the city and spend the day at work, it is better to choose care with SPF.

Terms of use

Cosmetologists advise preparing face masks at home immediately before use. Then they retain a maximum of microelements, amino acids and vitamins. When using skin care products, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• masks are prepared in single portions in ceramic or glass containers;
• tonics include essential oils, fermented milk products, clay, fruits;
• in the presence of locally irritating components, cosmetics should not be applied to the area under the eyes and around the mouth;
• before use, the mixture is tested for allergies;
• apply the mask only to a cleansed and damp face for 10-30 minutes;
• remove with mineral or boiled water;
• perform the procedure in courses of 2-4 weeks in a row;
• masks are made in the afternoon or 1-2 hours before bedtime;
• After washing, use water-based moisturizing gels or creams.

Rules for preparing to apply the mask:

• wash with hypoallergenic soap or foam;
• treat the face with scrubbing gel (up to 2 times a week);
• Place a towel soaked in hot water on your face for 5 minutes;
• Remains of moisture are removed with a cloth.

The aging time of cosmetics depends on its composition, the condition of the skin and its sensitivity to active ingredients.

For obvious signs of dehydration and sagging, masks are used up to 4 times a week for 1 month. To enrich the skin with vitamins, it is advisable to use the same recipe for no more than 3 procedures in a row. With proper and systematic care, skin tone increases, wrinkles are smoothed out, and facial tone is evened out.

Basic care product

Of course, it is better to have a day and night product. Night products contain ingredients that cannot be used during the day. Cream, emulsion or gel are selected according to the problem. It’s good to contact a cosmetologist and choose what’s right for you. Moisturizing is important for all skin types and is essential for oily skin too. There are many moisturizing components: hyaluronic acid, urea, ceramides.

Photo: pexels.com

Antioxidants

In summer it is good to use products with antioxidants. This will prevent lipid peroxidation, which leads to photoaging. The main antioxidants are
vitamins A, C, E, ferulic acid, alpha lipoic acid.

Natural cosmetic

Natural cosmetics, including handmade ones, are very popular now. But you need to be careful with her. For example, pharmaceutical cosmetics undergo all clinical trials over a long period of time, but natural cosmetics are not made where they are produced. Many extracts, for example, St. John's wort, rosemary, will cause photosensitivity in the summer, that is, increase sensitivity to the sun. You need to re-read a huge amount of literature to find what is right for you and will not cause harm.

Photo: pixabay.com

Oil

Often clients say that they simply lubricate their skin with oil at night. If the skin is not damaged, it will not get worse. But if the epidermal barrier is broken, this oil can bind to the skin's own lipids, and there will be the opposite effect: instead of moisturizing, you will get even more dryness and discomfort. I never recommend applying oil.

Mass market

I am calm about the mass market. There are positions that can be recommended. If we look at something more affordable ,
these are pharmaceutical products.

Professional cosmetics

I recommend professional cosmetics.
It is more highly specialized and works on a specific problem. The assets there are more balanced. Dermatologists, as a rule, recommend pharmaceutical cosmetics. At the same time, there are decent budget products with active ingredients in the mass market. You can always recommend something more expensive or cheaper. For any budget you can find a decent product from the mass market, pharmacy, luxury and professional stores.

Oily skin

Alcohol is often the first ingredient in oily skin care products.
This dries out the skin. Salicylic acid will be drying in the first places, but in the last positions in the composition it will work as a keratolytic - gently exfoliate. Oily skin -

This is most often an unpleasant greasy sheen. Adsorbing components help combat this. These are substances of plant origin that mattify without drying out.

It is imperative to moisturize oily skin, just use emulsions rather than thick textures.

Dry and sensitive skin

Dry and sensitive skin in winter and summer requires protection and, again, hydration -
emollients, urea, and ceramides help achieve this.

Evening care for oily skin

Night products for oily skin may contain acids, but again you need to look at the season. If it is summer, the acids should be large-molecular: for example, mandelic. During the day, you must not forget about reliable sun protection -
this is sacred.
Acids will dry out inflammation, even out tone, and remove post-traumatic pigmentation. They are universal fighters -
they work in many directions.

Evening care for dry skin

Here you can also choose acids, but different ones, for example, lactic acid. At night it is better to use moisturizing components: urea, ceramides. By the way, hyaluronic acid, which we all know well, is not a true skin moisturizer. It acts only on the stratum corneum and provides temporary hydration, but urea and ceramides are
true moisturizers that penetrate deep into the skin. You may not notice the effect right away; you need to use such products for two or three weeks to notice the result.

Thermal water

Thermal water is different from thermal water. In general, any thermal water should be blotted with a napkin. Because it can have the opposite effect: instead of moisturizing, you can get dryness. The only water that does not need to be soaked is
isotonic, that is, its concentration of trace elements is close to the concentration of trace elements in biological fluids. Thermal water in the summer will help moisturize your face and refresh your makeup.

When to see a specialist

If your skin is healthy, a visit to a cosmetologist is not necessary until a certain age. The main thing is
regular, properly selected home care. If after sleep you don’t like swelling, bags under your eyes or a network of wrinkles, then a cosmetologist can help you. You don't have to do expensive procedures. A specialist can recommend home care with active ingredients that will work for your problem.

I always say: if there is a choice between a course of procedures from a cosmetologist and the purchase of high-quality cosmetics, it is better to choose the latter.

Recipes for toning face masks at home

A toning mask is a care product that replenishes the deficiency of structural proteins or enhances the synthesis of endogenous elastin and collagen. Due to the formation of additional protein networks, the skin framework is strengthened, which leads to:

• thickening of the skin;
• smoothing out wrinkles;
• activation of blood circulation;
• normalization of hydrolipid metabolism;
• accelerating the regeneration of epidermal cells.

During the course of using homemade masks, dermatologists advise taking vitamin B1 (thiamine) and doing lymphatic drainage massage.

Mustard

Mustard contains allyl isothiocyanate, a pungent substance that stimulates blood circulation and oxygen supply to the skin. Due to its drying effect, it is used as part of toning masks no more than 2 times a week.

Mustard cosmetics:

• Recipe No. 1. 2 tbsp. l. mustard powder is mixed with 30 ml of cream. Add 10 ml of castor oil, 3 drops of cinnamon oil. Apply a thick layer to the face. After 10 minutes, wash off with cool mineral water.
• Recipe No. 2. Beat the yolks of 2 eggs with a whisk. Mix with 3 tsp. mustard powder, 15 ml olive oil. Add 1 tbsp. melted honey. Heat to 40°C in a microwave or steam bath. Apply a thin layer to damp skin. After 10-12 minutes, wash with rowan berry decoction.

To enhance the effect, cosmetics are washed off with infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants. They contain vitamins and microelements that affect cellular metabolism and tissue turgor. After washing, moisturize your face with cream with black cumin oil, vitamin E and C.

With oatmeal

An oatmeal mask is ideal for problematic and aging skin. It fights sagging, deep wrinkles, flaking and dehydration. Used every other day in courses of 20-25 days.

Face masks with oatmeal:

• With lemon. 2 tbsp. l. Hercules flakes are ground in a blender. Add ½ tbsp. l. lemon zest. Dilute with 30 ml of warm milk. Keep the mask on your face for up to 25 minutes. Remove with weak tea or mineral water.
• With carrot juice. 3 tsp. oat flour is diluted with 20 ml of carrot juice. Add 1 tbsp. l. full-fat kefir or homemade yogurt. The thick mixture is distributed in a thin layer. After a quarter of an hour, wash off with green tea.

After the caring procedure, use serum or cream-gel with shea or borage butter. For gravitational wrinkles, cosmetics with collagen, hyaluronate, and nicotinic acid are suitable.

Potato

Toning the skin with homemade masks is as effective as some salon procedures - biorevitalization, ozone therapy or photorejuvenation. Potatoes contain bioactive components that enhance the synthesis of your own collagen in the skin.

In the fight against sagging and wrinkles, masks are used:

• With fennel. Raw potatoes are grated on a fine grater. 2 tbsp. l. The gruel is mixed with 15 ml of cream, 1 tsp. chopped fennel. Keep the product on your face for 20 minutes. Wash with linden decoction.
• With kefir. Grind 1 boiled potato in a blender. Add the yolk of 1 egg, 15 ml of warm milk. Leave on the face for a quarter of an hour and remove with green tea.

After the mask, use a gel cream with hydrants - linolenic acid, glycerol, sorbitol, sodium hyaluronate. They form a thin layer that prevents moisture evaporation.

With clay

Cosmetic clay has a lifting effect. To smooth out wrinkles on the face and even out skin tone, it is used up to 3 times a week.

Mask components:

• 1 tsp. white or blue clay;
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper;
• 5 tbsp. l. fat kefir.

Clay is mixed with pepper. Dilute with kefir and heat in the microwave. Apply a thin layer to the T-zone and cheeks. After 10 minutes, wash with a decoction of peppermint or birch buds.

Masks with locally irritating components are not applied to the area around the eyes and mouth.

Before going to bed, use nourishing creams with coconut oil, ascorbic acid or tocopherol.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is rich in B vitamins - pyridoxine, folacin, thiamine, lactoflavin. It stimulates intracellular metabolism, renewal of epidermal cells, and elastin production. To combat sagging, apply 2 times a week in the afternoon.

Preparation and application of the mask:

• mash a third of the banana with a fork;
• add 1 tsp. chopped walnuts;
• mixed with 15 ml honey, ½ tsp. cinnamon powder;
• apply a thick layer of thick mass to damp skin;
• after 10 minutes, remove with chamomile decoction.

For deep wrinkles, cosmetics include fermented milk products - fermented baked milk, whey or yogurt. After washing, moisturize the skin with gel cream with glycerin, trehalose, and marine collagen.

Coffee shop

To remove free radicals, slow down oxidative processes and skin aging, green or roasted coffee beans are used. To improve the contour of the face, prepare the following mask:

• mix 2 tsp. pea flour with 5 g of ground coffee;
• diluted with 15 ml of warm milk;
• add 5 ml of shea butter and honey.

Rub the mixture into clean skin using massage movements. After 20 minutes, remove the remains with mineral water or herbal decoction.

Use cosmetics up to 3 times a week, and after washing, use a water-based cream.

Cranberry

Cranberry juice has a peeling effect. It cleanses the skin of dead epidermis, impurities and fatty plugs. As a result, gas exchange in cells increases and tissue turgor increases.

Face mask components:

• 7 cranberries;
• 1 tsp. grape seed oils;
• 4 strawberries;
• 1 tsp. honey

The berries are crushed in a blender. Mix with butter and honey. Heat in a water bath to 40°C. Leave the product on for up to half an hour. Remove with weak tea or chamomile infusion. For the first 1.5 weeks, the procedure is performed every other day, and then 1-2 times a week. Each time the session is completed by moisturizing the skin with a hypoallergenic cream.

Cucumber

Cucumber masks do not cause irritation, dryness or other side effects. Suitable for toning any skin type. To combat flabbiness and dullness you will need:

• 3-5 drops of orange essential oil;
• 1 fresh cucumber;
• white of 1 egg;
• 10 ml honey.

The cucumber is passed through a meat grinder. Mix with whipped egg white and honey. Orange oil is dripping. Distribute the mixture evenly over the face and neck. After 25-30 minutes, wash with herbal decoction or mineral water. To eliminate age spots, add 5-7 ml of lemon juice. After the procedure, hydrogels with lactic or glycolic acid, seaweed extract or wheat germ oil are used.

With regular use, cucumber cosmetics provide a pronounced lifting effect. It tightens the skin, reduces its texture, and eliminates hyperpigmentation.

With yeast

Yeast masks increase skin elasticity and make it velvety to the touch. For obvious signs of aging, use two recipes:

• Recipe No. 1. 10 g of dry yeast is poured into 30 ml of low-fat kefir and left in a warm place for half an hour. Mix with 2 tsp. rye flour, 10 ml sour cream. Treat the face and neck with the mixture. After 20 minutes, remove with chamomile infusion.
• Recipe No. 2. 25 g of baker's yeast is mixed with warm mineral water until a creamy mass is obtained. If it turns out liquid, add a little starch or flour. Apply to a damp face for 15-20 minutes. Wash with distilled or mineral water.

The procedure is performed a couple of hours before bedtime every evening for 14 days. After it, creams with calendula extract, betaine, elastin, and uric acid are used.

To prevent photoaging, it is recommended to use brewer's yeast, as it contains more vitamins B, E, PP, H.

With horseradish

Horseradish has whitening, tonic, anti-aging and antiseptic properties. Suitable for combating premature aging and skin dehydration.

Recipes for refreshing face masks:

• Egg. Horseradish root is ground on a grater. ½ tbsp. l. the shavings are mixed with 1 beaten egg, 10 ml of cream. Apply the mixture to your face for 20 minutes. Remove with linden infusion or decoction of calamus.
• Mayonnaise. 1 tsp. grated horseradish root is mixed with 30 ml of full-fat mayonnaise. Add 2 tsp. honey, 3 drops of eucalyptus oil. Keep the mask on your face for half an hour. Wash with cool mineral water.

To moisturize the skin, use a cream fluid with extracts of green tea, rosemary, aloe vera or peppermint.

What are the features of Facial Toner?

Facial toners are available in different types, taking into account age, purpose and skin type. Tonics are alcohol-based, water-glycerin and water-based. The most beneficial and gentle for the skin are water based ones. They contain extracts of medicinal plants, essential oils, and antioxidants.

Properties of tonic tonics:

• activate skin microcirculation and cell regeneration;
• have a lifting effect;
• products with fruit acids exfoliate dead cells and even out the texture;
• normalize the acid-base balance of the epidermis;
• penetrate deep into the pores of the skin and cleanse it well, preventing inflammation, the appearance of acne and blackheads;
• saturate the skin with moisture, vitamins and antioxidants.

Toners for mature skin stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This helps restore firmness and elasticity. The face looks fresh, fine wrinkles are less noticeable.