15 best refreshing face masks at home

There are many types of face masks – tightening, moisturizing, for different types of skin – aging, oily, dry. Today, journalists will share with the readers of our publication information about refreshing face masks – in what situations these cosmetics are indispensable, from what and how to properly prepare a mask, where to buy a ready-made product.

When you might need a refreshing face mask

Refreshing drugs are universal and can be used in different situations. At any age, girls and women want to look perfect, have a fresh complexion. A refreshing cosmetic will help eliminate the following problems:

1. Dull, grayish or yellowish tinge of the epidermis.

2. Fine wrinkles, flabbiness, lethargy of the skin.

3. Oily sheen or peeling, reddening of the epidermis.

4. Enlarged pores, black spots in the T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) and on the cheeks.

5. Skin fatigue, swelling.

6. Peeling of the skin, feeling of dryness and tightness.

7. Swollen facial contours, lack of clarity of the oval.

But there are situations in which a refreshing express mask is a real salvation:

1. After a sleepless night or a hard day at work, the skin of the face does not look its best. And it doesn't matter for whatever reason you didn't have time to rest – finishing a project in the office or having fun in a nightclub, you need to look rested in the morning or before an evening visit. And the refreshing mask will help eliminate all traces of fatigue, prepare the skin for the application of decorative cosmetics.

2. If the skin on your face is oily or dry, a course of refreshing express masks will help improve its condition. And permanently eliminate the characteristic symptoms – such aesthetic defects as peeling or oily sheen, redness and irritation of the skin.

3. For aging and aging skin, a refreshing mask is a way to prolong youth, start regenerative processes, saturate the epidermis with biologically active substances, improve blood circulation and tissue trophism.

In any case, a refreshing face mask will be beneficial – it will improve the condition of the skin, prepare it for the application of everyday or solemn makeup.

What are the types of refreshing express face masks?

All drugs in this group can be roughly classified into two types. The first includes purchased products to restore and refresh the skin. These can be eye contour patches such as 'Secret Key Gold Racoony'. They are used for the skin around the eyes and small problem areas. The skin after applying these products of care cosmetics becomes hydrated, fresh and elastic. Alginate masks are also widespread, they are produced by companies in Europe, the USA, Japan, Korea (Velinia, Libriderm, etc.). Some masks produced by well-known brands have not only a refreshing, but also a tightening, rejuvenating effect.

The second type includes express masks that need to be prepared with your own hands from products – vegetables, fruits, cereals, yeast, clay and other components. Let's consider how different products in the composition of home refreshing masks affect the skin of the face:

1. Fermented milk and dairy products – normalize the microflora of the facial skin, remove oily sheen, moisturize, nourish and protect the skin from the negative effects of internal and external factors.

2. Decoctions and water infusions of medicinal plants – restore a normal complexion, nourish with vitamins and other biologically active substances, stop the development of inflammatory processes, have a wound healing and regenerative effect, promote toning and tightening of the skin. Decoctions can be used in the preparation of masks by adding a few teaspoons. They can also be used to wash and rinse the skin after the refreshing mask is removed from the skin.

3. Honey is a real storehouse of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. It has a rejuvenating, soothing, restorative effect on the epidermis. Honey goes well with other ingredients in cosmetic recipes. If you are not allergic to bee products, honey can be included in all anti-aging face masks. Or use it as a standalone one-piece mask.

4. Vegetable oils – from sunflower oil to more exotic options, for example, cedar or hemp oil. This component protects the epidermis from dehydration, normalizes the complexion, inhibits the aging process of the skin, creates an invisible thinnest film on the epidermis, which prevents the negative effects of dust, dirt, wind, and gassed air.

5. Various vegetables, fruits, berries – their juice and / or pulp. Their main task is to smooth the skin, make it soft, silky and pleasant to the touch. And also saturate the epidermis at a deep level with all possible vitamins, antioxidants and other biologically active substances.

6. Eggs are often found in recipes, they not only serve to ensure that the mass is homogeneous and does not spread. Eggs, in particular yolks, are very beneficial for the skin, they make it glowing and toned. The recipes also contain herbs, cereals, yeast – all these components are very useful for the epidermis. They feed it from the outside, launch the body's own recovery processes. And they 'work' synergistically, that is, they enhance the action and effectiveness of each other.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Purchased Refreshing Express Facial Masks

If you decide that you will use purchased products, pay attention to their advantages:

1. A wide selection of refreshing face masks for all skin types.

2. A wide range of products in different price categories – you can choose both a budget mass-market product and refreshing masks that are used by professional cosmetologists.

3. Simple application, no need to buy components and prepare the product.

4. There are products designed for repeated use.

5. Preparations for refreshing masks are prepared based on modern recipes. The formulas are carefully designed in the laboratory. Thanks to this, you can get a quick and lasting result.

6. You don't need to visit a beautician to refresh your skin.

7. You can choose a product in a comfortable environment, without leaving your home, by going to the sites of large online cosmetics stores.

The main disadvantages of purchased refreshing express masks:

1. The need to spend money to buy.

2. You can buy low-quality, expired, not certified, counterfeit goods.

3. The composition of the mask may cause allergies.

4. The majority of cosmetics contain fragrances (fragrances), and dyes, stabilizers, preservatives and other unnecessary components that are not useful for the skin.

If you buy well-known brands of refreshing face masks and in reliable stores, the chances of encountering such problems are low.

Benefits of self-made refreshing face masks

If you decide to prepare refreshing face masks at home with your own hands, you get the following benefits:

1. The ability to choose from a wide variety of recipes – both classic and modern.

2. The cost price of refreshing masks is minimal.

3. The products from which the masks are prepared are already in your refrigerator, as you eat them. And if these are some unusual or exotic products, you can still buy them in any large supermarket.

4. The methods for preparing masks are simple – in most cases, preparation takes 10-15 minutes.

5. You know exactly what is in the prepared mask, you are sure of the quality and freshness of its components.

Self-made refreshing face masks have several disadvantages:

1. Still, this is not a finished product, you will have to mix the components. It is not always convenient to set aside time to prepare the product.

2. These masks should be used immediately after preparation. Store in the refrigerator, you cannot use the rest of the product the next day.

3. The products you use may not be of adequate quality. For example, the fact that chicken eggs infected with salmonella cannot be determined 'by eye'.

4. The effectiveness of such masks can manifest itself gradually, since in this case a cumulative effect can act.

Despite these disadvantages and risks, self-made refreshing face masks are very popular. We invite you to familiarize yourself with an overview of the most effective recipes for their preparation.

Recipes for the best refreshing express masks

Experts recommend using masks that cleanse, refresh, invigorate, tone and smooth the skin of the face:

1. Components – one bag of green tea, a quarter glass of hot drinking water, the yolk of one egg, 5-6 tablespoons of mayonnaise. It is also recommended to prepare the last component with your own hands – you will spend part on a mask, the second part can be used to dress a healthy salad. To prepare the mask, brew green tea in a little water, cool the liquid, add the yolk and mayonnaise. Stir the ingredients until smooth.

2. Components – 4 tablespoons of heavy cream (this component can be replaced with natural yogurt, sour cream), 1 tablespoon of glycerin, a couple of drops of chamomile or lime essential oil. All these ingredients are mixed, after which you can apply a refreshing mask to your face.

3. Components – 1-2 tablespoons of fatty dairy products – milk, cottage cheese and sour cream, 2 tablespoons of liquid natural honey. First, mix the flowing components, then add the cottage cheese, bring with a fork, mixer or blender to a homogeneous consistency. The mask is versatile, but ideal for refreshing dry skin.

4. Components – a couple of homemade berries (harvested in season) strawberries and raspberries, 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice, 1 tablespoon of honey. First, you need to grind the berries to a state of gruel, then add the remaining components of the recipe. The mask is versatile, but ideal for refreshing oily skin. And it should be used with caution on very dry or sensitive dermis, since both berries and fruit juice contain components that can dry out the skin even more.

5. Components – a few tablespoons of olive oil (or unrefined oil from half-sunflower seeds, flax seeds), half a pomegranate, a few tablespoons of honey. Squeeze the juice from the pomegranate seeds. Add oil and honey to the pomegranate mass, mix thoroughly. To avoid time-consuming process, grind the pomegranate seeds in a food processor along with the seeds. If the result is a gruel with small fractions, it will be possible to use the mask in two stages – first, massage the skin of the face with light movements (do scrubbing), and then leave the mixture on the skin (make a mask).

6. Components – half a cucumber and a tomato, one yolk, one tablespoon of oatmeal. Oatmeal can be chopped and used raw or steamed with boiling water. In the latter case, add the rest of the ingredients when the gruel cools down to room temperature. Beat the yolk in a separate bowl, mix with porridge. Squeeze the juice from the tomato, grate the cucumber or chop finely with a knife, add to the oatmeal and yolk, mix. This mask is ideal for refreshing aging skin, as it helps to restore the water-fat balance of the epidermis.

7. Components – one yolk, one tablespoon of natural ground coffee, one spoon of honey and the same amount of any vegetable oil (olive, sunflower, linseed, burdock). The recipe states that honey and vegetable oil must be preheated. Experts say that when heated, these components lose some of their beneficial properties. Therefore, heat honey and oil in a water bath, controlling the temperature – it should not exceed 40 degrees. Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture and apply to the face while warm. The mask is not recommended for use if there are dilated blood vessels on the face.

8. The ingredients are half a banana, a couple of strawberries, a spoonful of honey, a decoction or an aqueous infusion of medicinal herbs, for example, chamomile (sage, St. John's wort, arnica, calendula, rose petals, currant leaves). First, prepare the infusion – pour a couple of tablespoons of dry medicinal chamomile with half a glass of boiling water. While the infusion cools down to room temperature, chop the banana and strawberries in any convenient way, add honey, apply the mixture to your face. After 30 minutes, wash off the gruel using cotton pads soaked in cooled chamomile infusion.

9. Ingredients – a small raw potato, half a peach, a couple of parsley stalks, two tablespoons of milk. Chop potatoes and peaches in any way, for example, on a grater. Chop the parsley with a knife or blender. Mix all ingredients.

10. The ingredients are one or two tablespoons of cosmetic clay (take the one that is most suitable for your skin), two tablespoons of kefir, one or two cabbage leaves. Squeeze the juice from the cabbage or grind it into gruel, mix with the rest of the ingredients.

11. Components – juice or juice with the pulp of half a lemon, lime, one tablespoon of natural grape juice, juice or juice with the pulp of any berries, including frozen ones, two tablespoons of cottage cheese. All this must be mixed until smooth and applied on the face for 10-15 minutes. The mask is not recommended for those with very dry, delicate and sensitive skin prone to irritation.

12. Components – any fermented milk product (sour cream, natural yogurt, yogurt, cottage cheese) – two tablespoons; three or four green lettuce leaves. The latter must be finely chopped and mixed with the first ingredient.

13. Components – half an avocado, a couple of fresh mint leaves, a teaspoon of lemon juice or juice with pulp, water infusion of fresh mint. First, prepare the infusion – pour boiling water over the mint leaves, let it cool. Then we prepare a refreshing mask – three avocados on a grater, finely chop the mint leaves, mix these products with lemon juice. Apply the mixture to the face, rinse with mint broth.

14. Components – two teaspoons of fresh (or dry) culinary yeast, four tablespoons of warm water, one teaspoon of sugar (or better honey), 50-70 ml of heavy cream. The yeast should be diluted with warm water, added sugar, left to activate for 10-15 minutes. Then add cream and stir. Apply the mixture with a brush in layers – first the first layer, after 5 minutes the second, after another 5 minutes the third. The total time during which the mask should be on the skin is 20-25 minutes. It is a versatile remedy, but it works especially well on aging skin.

15. Components – crushed buckwheat, oatmeal and rice flour – a tablespoon each, a couple of spoons of honey, one yolk, 100 ml of an aqueous extract of medicinal chamomile. Grind honey with yolk, add flour of three cereals to the mass and mix thoroughly. You can wash off the mask after half an hour using running or bottled, mineral, artesian water. To consolidate the effect of a refreshing mask, apply a compress to your face by soaking gauze or special cloth with warm chamomile infusion. The compress is kept for 5-10 minutes, then the face is rinsed with cool water.

Recommendations for the correct use of refreshing face masks

Cosmetologists shared with the journalists of our online publication several tips, following which will help to increase the effectiveness and safety of the use of refreshing express masks:

1. Make mask mixes only from foods that you are not allergic to. If unsure, take a quick test. Apply the product to the dermis on the inner side of the elbow and wait 5-10 minutes. If during this time no negative reaction occurs on the skin, you can use this product for cosmetic purposes.

2. Be careful with the choice of products – they must be of high quality, fresh. It is advisable to use those products that are grown in your area during the season. That is, if the recipe states that you need a peach, but your peaches do not grow or it is winter in the yard, it is better to give preference to another recipe or replace the peach with an apple. Naturally, this rule does not apply to exotic fruits such as bananas and avocados.

3. Prepare refreshing masks in glass or plastic containers. Metallic can give an undesirable oxidation reaction when in contact with some products. Expert Advice – If you need to squeeze juice from a fruit or vegetable specified in a recipe, you can use a food processor or blender to grind the food. In this case, for the mask, you can use not only juice, but the pulp, which contains no less useful components. You can also mix the ingredients indicated in the recipe using kitchen equipment.

4. Apply the refreshing mask only to cleansed skin. Additional scrubbing and steaming will enhance the positive effect of the cosmetic procedure.

5. Apply the mask by washing your hands thoroughly. Or use special brushes, sponges, cotton pads.

6. Do not keep the mask on your face for longer than the recommended time. Unless otherwise indicated in the recipe description, the mask should be washed off after 15-20 minutes.

7. Rinse off the mask with cool water. If the composition contains fatty ingredients, you can additionally use a special foam or gel for washing.

8. After you apply a refreshing face mask, apply a moisturizer to your dermis. Once it is absorbed (10-15 minutes), you can apply makeup.

9. You should not do a refreshing mask more than 3 times a week. The optimal time to carry out a cosmetic procedure is in the morning, before leaving the house. Or a few hours before an event where you want to look as impressive as possible. The period for which the result of a refreshing face mask is saved is up to 6 hours. But the benefits of regular use of such funds are more significant, since the dermis is constantly replenished, and its condition is gradually improving.

10. You can alternate between different express masks or undergo a course of cosmetic procedures using one product. In order for the skin not to 'get used' to certain products, the course should not last longer than 5-8 weeks. Take a break for several months, and if you like the mask, the course can be repeated.

Contraindications for the use of refreshing face masks:

1. Individual sensitivity to the components of the composition.

2. Carrying out any, including minimally invasive, beauty salon procedures within 2 weeks before the day of using the mask.

3. The presence of any damage on the epidermis of the face (wounds, cuts, burns), foci of severe irritation or infectious inflammation.

4. Before using any cosmetic product, it is recommended to consult a cosmetologist or dermatologist.

What to do if you need express refreshment, but there are no groceries at hand?

There are situations when it is impossible or simply inconvenient to prepare a refreshing mask. For example, if you are on a business trip or go on a date straight from the office, or you just don't have much time, and you don't even have an extra 30 minutes. In this case, a refreshing face mask can be replaced by a water procedure – a contrast shower.

To quickly refresh the face, remove dark circles under the eyes, restore the natural shade of the epidermis, remove oily sheen, prepare 2 dishes – with hot and cold water. Or just alternately switch the tap mixer to keep the water flowing at the right temperature. First, we wash off the makeup, wash with hot water – the liquid should not burn, but also be hotter warm. Then we wash our face cold. And so several times in a row. After that, you can dab your face with a napkin, apply a moisturizer and, after waiting 5-10 minutes, apply makeup on a fresh face. Experts advise using this method in the usual living conditions. A contrast shower for the face in the morning can be done every day.

And here is another life hack from specialists – a refreshing mask that does not need to be washed off. To apply it, you need thermal water, and a couple of minutes of your time. You can buy ready-made thermal water, for example, a cosmetic product from the Vichy brand. Or use ordinary mineral water, from which gas came out – shake the closed bottle of water well, unscrew the cap, leave the bottle open for half a day. After that, the water must be poured into a spray bottle with the smallest holes. Spray the liquid onto your face and décolleté for an excellent refreshing effect.

How to improve the effectiveness of refreshing face masks

Your skin will be less exposed to the negative effects of the external environment and will look better, more effectively perceive the effect of the components of refreshing masks if you follow the simple recommendations of experts:

1. Adequate nutrition – the diet should contain foods rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In this case, the skin of the face will look much better.

2. Compliance with the drinking regime – 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day will provide your skin with an optimal level of hydration.

3. Physical activity – sports or just regular exercise helps to activate all metabolic processes. It improves blood circulation and nutrition of all tissues, including the skin of the face.

4. A healthy 8-hour night's sleep is a guarantee that the refreshing mask will have maximum effect on the skin.

5. The use of gentle and safe decorative cosmetics will allow you to use refreshing masks less often.

6. And the last tip – lead a healthy lifestyle. The absence of bad habits is the prolongation of the youth and health of the skin.

---