DIY Gentle Peel-Off Face Masks Ideas for smooth and clear skin

Posted by Daniela Pelonara on

 

 Remember the buzz around those crazy charcoal peel-off masks? Was it a real skincare solution-revolution or the usual marketing gimmick?

I must admit that the satisfaction thought of lifting off a layer of dead skin and … and the feeling of having a totally new skin is real. But is this actually good for your skin?

The answer is YES and NO.

NO, because if done with the wrong harsh ingredients such as glue (!), expect a skin reaction and pain when removing the mask. Most importantly, along with the dirt and dead skin, harsh masks strip away Vellus hair and Sebaceous filaments, which are blackheads look alike but in reality are essential hair-like formations that regulate and channel the flow of sebum through your pores. When sebum is unbalanced, the skin will overproduce oil to compensate for the loss. So expect oily and irritated skin.

YES, because good peel-off masks gently adhere to the top layer of the skin, and the superficial dirt and dead skin are removed without using any exfoliant particles (so no risk of micro-cuts) and without stripping away anything else.

Our hero ingredient is Agar-Agar, a jelly-like substance obtained from red algae activated by water. It’s the vegan version of Gelatin. If you can’t find Agar-Agar you can use whipped egg white.

Here are some ideas for basic masks – have fun and experimenting.

 

1) DETOX PEEL OFF MASK – ALL SKIN TYPES

  • 0.75 tbsp Agar Agar powder
  • 1/2 tbsp activated Charcoal
  • approx 1 tsp of distilled water

TIP – Combine Agar Agar powder and Activated Charcoal in a bowl; slowly add 1 teaspoon of warm distilled water and mix all ingredients together until you get a smooth paste. You can also combine the ingredients in Bain Marie and slowly add cold water. Using a brush, apply a thin coat of the mask all over your face, carefully avoiding the eyes and brows or just on your T-zone. Let the mask dry completely, then peel it off t in an upward direction. Use a gentle toner followed by a light face oil or moisturizer.

 

 

2) LACTIC ACID PEEL OFF MASK – NORMAL SKIN

  • 1.25 tbsp Agar Agar powder
  • 1 tbsp of Milk

TIP – Use a double boiler or Bain Marie and slowly add milk to Agar Agar powder. Heat the mixture until the gelatin dissolves completely and you have a smooth gel and remove the bowl from the heat. Using a brush, apply the mask all over your face quickly as once the bowl is removed from the heat, the mixture will harden fast. Once the mask is completely dried, peel it off upwards and rinse your face with cool water, then pat dry. Use a gentle toner followed by a light face oil or moisturizer.

 

 

3) NOURISHING PEEL OFF MASK – DRY SKIN

  • 0.75 tbsp Agar Agar powder
  • 1/2 tbsp of Rose Petals powder
  • 1 tbsp of Distilled Water or Lavender Hydrosol
  • 1 tbsp of Honey

 

TIP – Combine Agar Agar powder and Rose Petals powder in a bowl. Use a double boiler or Bain Marie and slowly add water or Lavender Hydrosol. Heat the mixture until the gelatin dissolves completely and you have a smooth gel and remove the bowl from the heat.  Add Honey and mix. Using a brush, apply the mask all over your face quickly as once the bowl is removed from the heat, the mixture will harden fast. Once the mask is completely dried, peel it off upwards and rinse your face with cool water, then pat dry. Use a gentle toner followed by a light face oil or moisturizer.

 

 

4) ANTIOXIDANT PEEL OFF MASK – ALL SKIN TYPES

  • 1.25 tbsp Agar Agar powder
  • 1   tbsp of brewed Green Tea (depending on the thickness

 

TIP – Slowly add 1 teaspoon of warm freshly brewed Green Tea to Agar Agar and mix until you get a smooth paste. Using a brush, apply a thin coat of the mask all over your face, carefully avoiding the eyes and brows or just on your T-zone. Let the mask dry completely, then peel it off t in an upward direction. Use a gentle toner followed by a light face oil or moisturizer.

 

 

5) BALANCING PEEL OFF MASK – OILY AND COMBINATION SKIN

  • 1.25 tbsp Agar Agar powder
  • 1  tbsp of cucumber juice
  • 1/4 of squeezed lemon

 

TIP – Use a double boiler or Bain Marie and slowly add Cucumber Juice and squeezed Lemon to Agar Agar powder. Heat the mixture until the gelatin dissolves completely and you have a smooth gel and remove the bowl from the heat. Using a brush, apply the mask all over your face quickly as once the bowl is removed from the heat, the mixture will harden fast. Once the mask is completely dried, peel it off upwards and rinse your face with cool water, then pat dry. Use a gentle toner followed by a light face oil or moisturizer.

 

Check out other DIY masks ideas with

Aloe Vera

Coffee

Oats

Berries

 

Happy masking!

 

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Comment

  • Ciao Daniela, come stai? Sono Chiara Baschirotto, ti ricordi di me? Ci siamo conosciute a Bkk, a casa tua, insieme agli altri italiani della Nist…
    io adesso non vivo più a bkk… da più di un anno diamo in Messico :)

    come stai? Come state? A guardare da qui, a bkk la vita sembra tornata quasi alla normalità, …beati voi!
    ..ho appena scoperto il tuo blog e volevo chiederti consiglio x camilla (13 anni). Adora le maschere, e mi chiedevo se hai delle maschere fai da te x pelli così giovani, e in generale, consigli x le adolescenti riguardo lo skin care?
    Ti lascio anche il mio nuovo whatsapp, se ti risultasse più semplice scrivermi lì… +525611808899
    Salutami tutti!
    Un abbraccio!

    Chiara Baschirotto on

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