When it comes to face masks, I love that they serve a lot of purposes - they unclog your pores, clear out your face, help maintain healthy skin and the best part, it's a wonderful relaxing 20 minutes. And once they come off, it almost feels like you just shed skin, like you just got a new face - so clean and fresh!
My kind of masks are the ones with natural ingredients, like the DIY ones. But as I'm rubbish at DIY, I've managed to find the closest alternatives to those. So without further jibber jabber, here are some of my current favorite natural face masks! This list is constantly evolving as are all lists beauty related, amirite?
What: Spiced Berries Antioxidant Masque by Balanced Guru. All their products are organic and 100% natural!
Has: Acai, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, amla, vitamin C and more goodies
How: It comes in a powder form, so I recommend mixing it with yoghurt for a cooling effect (especially in this heat). You can expect a slight tingling sensation right when you put it on but it goes away after a few minutes.
Post-mask: Reduced redness, brighter skin
Bonus: Smells ah-mazing! Puts you straight into spa mode.
Where: The Farmers Garden, Greenheart Organic Farms and online at Youmah
What: Clayspray Red Clay by Pharmaclay. It's a face mask in a can! Basically, it's emulsified clay that comes in a can which keeps it incredibly fresh and clean. This range has clay masks for all different skin types and is paraben-free among other wonderful things.
Has: Red Clay, Cacao
How: While I was totally up for spraying myself in the face with clay, that's not how this works. It's surprisingly fuss-free - there is a neat little pump which gives out a sizeable portion of fresh clay which has a mousse-like texture and is wonderfully easy to apply. It dries quite quickly once you have squeezed it out, so make sure to apply it onto your face quickly. It dries out almost as quickly on your face as well but it's recommended you leave it on for 15 minutes before you wash it off.
Warning: the clay does look (and sorta smells) like chocolate mousse so cravings might be activated.
Post-mask: Less sebum/oil, reduced breakouts and super soft skin
Bonus: So travel-friendly, no worries about explosions and all that.
Where: Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall
What: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This little guy is no secret despite the title. The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is almost a cult favorite by now, I would think! If you looking to spring clean your face, then this is the mask you have been looking for. The back of this box says.. feel your face pulsate. Need I say more?
Has: Bentonite Clay. That's it - so it literally takes dirt to suck out all the dirt out of your pores.
How: This comes in a powder form and for mixing this, make sure to use only plastic/rubber utensils - no metals. I recommend mixing this with apple cider vinegar for best results. Once you have this on and it starts drying, your face will start 'pulsating' and tightening quite a bit but don't worry, it's not an unpleasant sensation. I usually put this on before I take a shower so that I can get my face completely wet before I slowly scrub it off, I've found that it's slightly painful doing it otherwise.
Warning: Don't plan to talk or eat during this time because it's actually not possible (I tried and failed miserably)
Post-mask: You might experience some redness after but not for long. Apart from that, this will be one of those times that you wash off your mask and you have a new face - SO clean. Smaller pores and fading of acne scars/blemishes is what you can expect.
Bonus: Pocket friendly!
Where: Online at Souq
What: Apricot & Honey Face Scrub by Herbline Essentials. I know what you're thinking - this is a face scrub. But what you don't know is that this product works just as wonderfully as a face mask as well. This one is my go-to mask for when my face needs a pick-me-up.
Has: Apricot, maize, honey, walnut shell and some more things that sound edible
How: It's got a nice paste-like texture and so it's quite easy to apply it onto your face. Once it's, it has a lovely cooling effect. This is most relaxing of the four masks and it helps rejuvenate tired skin.
Post-mask: It's one of those masks where you can see a difference as you soon as you wash off - smooth, radiant skin. It has done wonders with evening out my skin tone as well as reducing my pigmentation.
Bonus: As you already know, it doubles as a scrub!
Where: All pharmacies across UAE and online at Herbline Essentials
Aaaand I'm done. Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below as always!
Mona xo
My kind of masks are the ones with natural ingredients, like the DIY ones. But as I'm rubbish at DIY, I've managed to find the closest alternatives to those. So without further jibber jabber, here are some of my current favorite natural face masks! This list is constantly evolving as are all lists beauty related, amirite?
Balanced Guru - Spiced Up Berries Antioxidant Masque
What: Spiced Berries Antioxidant Masque by Balanced Guru. All their products are organic and 100% natural!
Has: Acai, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, amla, vitamin C and more goodies
How: It comes in a powder form, so I recommend mixing it with yoghurt for a cooling effect (especially in this heat). You can expect a slight tingling sensation right when you put it on but it goes away after a few minutes.
Post-mask: Reduced redness, brighter skin
Bonus: Smells ah-mazing! Puts you straight into spa mode.
Where: The Farmers Garden, Greenheart Organic Farms and online at Youmah
Pharmaclay - Clayspray Red Clay
What: Clayspray Red Clay by Pharmaclay. It's a face mask in a can! Basically, it's emulsified clay that comes in a can which keeps it incredibly fresh and clean. This range has clay masks for all different skin types and is paraben-free among other wonderful things.
Has: Red Clay, Cacao
How: While I was totally up for spraying myself in the face with clay, that's not how this works. It's surprisingly fuss-free - there is a neat little pump which gives out a sizeable portion of fresh clay which has a mousse-like texture and is wonderfully easy to apply. It dries quite quickly once you have squeezed it out, so make sure to apply it onto your face quickly. It dries out almost as quickly on your face as well but it's recommended you leave it on for 15 minutes before you wash it off.
Warning: the clay does look (and sorta smells) like chocolate mousse so cravings might be activated.
Post-mask: Less sebum/oil, reduced breakouts and super soft skin
Bonus: So travel-friendly, no worries about explosions and all that.
Where: Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
What: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This little guy is no secret despite the title. The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is almost a cult favorite by now, I would think! If you looking to spring clean your face, then this is the mask you have been looking for. The back of this box says.. feel your face pulsate. Need I say more?
Has: Bentonite Clay. That's it - so it literally takes dirt to suck out all the dirt out of your pores.
How: This comes in a powder form and for mixing this, make sure to use only plastic/rubber utensils - no metals. I recommend mixing this with apple cider vinegar for best results. Once you have this on and it starts drying, your face will start 'pulsating' and tightening quite a bit but don't worry, it's not an unpleasant sensation. I usually put this on before I take a shower so that I can get my face completely wet before I slowly scrub it off, I've found that it's slightly painful doing it otherwise.
Warning: Don't plan to talk or eat during this time because it's actually not possible (I tried and failed miserably)
Post-mask: You might experience some redness after but not for long. Apart from that, this will be one of those times that you wash off your mask and you have a new face - SO clean. Smaller pores and fading of acne scars/blemishes is what you can expect.
Bonus: Pocket friendly!
Where: Online at Souq
Herbline Essentials - Apricot and Honey Face Scrub
What: Apricot & Honey Face Scrub by Herbline Essentials. I know what you're thinking - this is a face scrub. But what you don't know is that this product works just as wonderfully as a face mask as well. This one is my go-to mask for when my face needs a pick-me-up.
Has: Apricot, maize, honey, walnut shell and some more things that sound edible
How: It's got a nice paste-like texture and so it's quite easy to apply it onto your face. Once it's, it has a lovely cooling effect. This is most relaxing of the four masks and it helps rejuvenate tired skin.
Post-mask: It's one of those masks where you can see a difference as you soon as you wash off - smooth, radiant skin. It has done wonders with evening out my skin tone as well as reducing my pigmentation.
Bonus: As you already know, it doubles as a scrub!
Where: All pharmacies across UAE and online at Herbline Essentials
Aaaand I'm done. Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below as always!
Mona xo
