Style Hair Hair Care 8 Easy DIY Hair and Face Masks You Can Whip Up at Home You don't have to be a cosmetic chemist to concoct these spa-level masks. By Gianluca Russo Gianluca Russo Gianluca Russo is an author and freelance fashion and culture writer and monthly columnist for NYLON. In his book "The Power of Plus," he takes readers inside fashion's size-inclusivity revolution. Highlights: * Writing has appeared in GQ, Glamour, InStyle, Fashionista, Oprah Mag, and Cosmopolitan * Authored the book "The Power of Plus" in 2022 * Former fashion writer for Teen Vogue Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 8, 2022 Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images It's always a good time to work more self-care into your schedule. But given the recent state of the globe over the past few years, the stress and anxiety you're facing is likely affecting your hair and skin. And maintaining your your beauty routine can instill a sense of comfort and normalcy. For many, beauty rituals are a solid form of regular self-care. But you don't need to head to your local Sephora or Ulta to purchase a variety of sheet masks and hair masks to try out. Instead, here are some of the best DIY hair and face masks you can make from ingredients you likely already have at home. 01 of 08 Lemon Face Mask Because of its clear source of vitamin C and citric acid, lemon is also a popular ingredient in DIY face masks. However, those with sensitive skin should stay away from using it regularly as it may cause irritation when applied due to the acidic qualities of the fruit. And be sure to stay out of the sun until it is fully rinsed off.Recipe:The juice of 1 lemon1 tablespoon of honey1 tablespoon olive oilDirections:Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply per usual. 02 of 08 Aloe Rosemary Hair Mask When combined, aloe and rosemary can promote healthy hair growth. Shiffa founder, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, recommends this easy, relaxing, and effective DIY recipe to nourish your strands. Recipe: 4 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera blended1 drop of rosemary oil1 drop of castor oil Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply per usual. Apply to scalp and hair twice a week for 30 minutes, then rinse off. 03 of 08 Banana and Turmeric Duo Mask Bananas are packed with nutrients including potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, which are all beneficial to the hair and skin. Using this fruit in your masks will not only help fight acne and wrinkles, but will also leave the skin glowing while protecting it from the sun. When applied to hair, the mix will improve manageability and shine, prevent and control dandruff, and moisturize your scalp. Recipe: 1 mashed banana1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply per usual. 04 of 08 Turmeric Face Mask Recommended by Dr. Josh Axe, masks made with turmeric leave your skin glowing almost immediately. There are many healing benefits of turmeric—including on the skin if you battle with acne, dark circles, eczema, or dry skin—making it the perfect go-to face mask recipe. Supermodel Jourdan Dunn also revealed in 2018 that she regularly uses a recipe similar to this one in order to fight acne, dull skin, and tired eyes. Recipe: ½ teaspoon turmeric powder½ teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar1 tablespoon of organic, raw, local honey½ teaspoon milk or yogurt Directions: Mix all ingredients together under the desired consistency (sticky enough to stay on your face) is achieved. Then apply and let sit for 20 minutes before washing it off thoroughly with warm water. 05 of 08 Yogurt and Honey Face Mask In recent years, yogurt has become a popular face mask ingredient as it has moisturizing effects on the skin. Additionally, honey is also a skincare secret as it contains many crucial nutrients. Combining the two masks for the easiest DIY mask to try. Recipe: 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt1 teaspoon of honey Directions: Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix until completely blended. Apply to your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before wiping off and washing. If excess product is left over in the bowl, you can refrigerate it and use it again later in the week. 06 of 08 Avocado and Yogurt Face Mask Another skin secret: Avocado. In both the fruit and oil made from it, there are beneficial amounts of beta carotene, protein, lecithin, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E. Combining it with a few other simple ingredients—including yogurt—makes for a go-to mask, and one that will leave your skin refreshed, soft to the touch and hydrated. Recipe: 1 avocado2 tablespoons plain yogurt1 tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon honey Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply as usual, wiping the mask off after 20 minutes. 07 of 08 Oatmeal Face Mask Not only does oatmeal contain anti-inflammatory qualities, but it's also shown to help fight acne when used on the skin. The ingredient also serves as an exfoliant, getting rid of dead skin skills and anything else that may be stuck in your pores. Recipe: 2 tablespoons oatmeal1 teaspoon baking sodaWater (Add small amounts slowly until the mixture becomes a paste that can be applied to the skin and that will stick) Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply per usual. 08 of 08 Pink Clay and Avocado Duo Mask Recommended by naturopath and nutritionist Anna Mitsios, this duo mask—which is beneficial to both your skin and hair—is not only hydrating and purifying, but helps to combat excess oil production, which is a problem many regularly face. This Pink Clay and Avocado Mask recipe will bring life back to your skin and hair if they've started to lack their shine in recent weeks. Recipe: 1 small ripe avocado 2 tablespoons coconut yogurt 1 tablespoon apple cider 1 tablespoon pink clay 1 tablespoon agave or brown rice syrup 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil (optional, this boost circulation to the hair) Directions: Once you have all of the ingredients, mix them together in a bowl until they are fully blended (you may add more coconut yogurt depending on how thick you like it). Then, apply the mask and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before removing and washing your skin and hair. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Ezekwe N, King M, Hollinger JC. 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