Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Benefits of face masks

Medical expert of the article

Dermatologist, oncodermatologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

Nowadays, you can find many different ready-made face masks on sale. But the benefits of face masks prepared at home are also quite noticeable. In addition, such masks can be more affordable. And they do not contain harmful additives, such as preservatives, dyes or flavors.

What is the benefit of face masks? Firstly, such masks can help to properly nourish the skin. Health and beauty of the skin of the face is impossible without adequate nutrition. The skin is the largest organ of our body. It, like a mirror, reflects the general condition of the body. This is also true if we are talking about the skin of the face. If the whole body lacks nutrition, then this will be visible on the skin of the face.

We often eat "empty" food, which is high in calories but low in vitamins, microelements and other nutrients. This "hunger strike" can negatively affect the appearance and health of the skin of the face. Of course, without significant changes in the diet, masks can do little, but they will help quickly restore the balance of nutrients in the skin of the face, rejuvenate it and make it healthier.

Another benefit of face masks is that they hydrate your skin. Dry skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. That is why moisturizing is one of the three pillars of facial skin care. Masks can help us solve this problem. If you drink enough water, you hydrate your skin from the inside. But masks will deliver the necessary moisture directly to the upper layers of the skin.

Lastly, masks will help you cleanse your skin. Even young skin can be affected by such imperfections as acne or pimples. To get rid of them, you can use cleansing face masks that deeply cleanse the pores and prevent acne.

Masks are different and for different skin types. To get the maximum effect from the mask, it is important to choose the right ingredients for the mask according to your skin type. It is also important to understand which masks will help moisturize, which will help nourish, and which will cleanse your facial skin.

Benefits of Chocolate Face Masks

Chocolate face mask is nice. It has a nice consistency and this mask smells nice. So, such a mask is suitable not only for skin care, but also for relaxation. But the chocolate mask also has practical benefits for the skin of the face.

What are the benefits of chocolate face masks? Everyone knows that chocolate is made from cocoa beans. And these beans are very rich in various vitamins and minerals. They contain especially many antioxidants. And these substances are very useful for the skin. In addition, cocoa beans contain oil.

A chocolate mask rejuvenates the skin of the face and protects it from harmful environmental influences. It nourishes the skin and moderately moisturizes it. As a rule, such a mask is recommended for oily skin, but it can be used for combination skin too.

It is important that you use only dark chocolate for the mask. It has a higher cocoa butter content than milk chocolate. And there are fewer other impurities that your skin does not need. In addition to the nutritional properties, the benefit of chocolate face masks is that they help heal the skin of the face. Various minor damage or cracks on the skin will heal faster if you make a mask from chocolate. This is especially important in the cold winter season.

Benefits of Clay Masks

Clay is a natural material. People have used clay for all sorts of purposes since ancient times, including washing themselves and using it as a natural cosmetic. Why is clay so useful for facial skin?

There are several types of clay. It can be ordinary, which is abundant in our regions. It can be white, black or even blue clay. In general, all types of clay have similar cosmetic properties, but there are also differences.

The benefit of clay masks is in the amazing property of clay to cleanse. Clay can clean water from harmful microorganisms and chemical impurities. It can also cleanse the skin of the face from microbes, fat, dirt, etc. The clay applied in the mask penetrates deeply into the pores of the skin. It cleanses the skin and all the pore channels from the inside. Usually, excessive production of sebum or skin pollution leads to the fact that the pores become clogged and so-called comedones are formed.

Clay perfectly cleanses the skin, unclogs pores and prevents acne. It also removes harmful microorganisms from the skin, preventing the appearance of pustules on the skin. Basically, clay masks are suitable for oily skin. They can overdry dry skin.

Benefits of kefir masks for hair

No one questions the benefits of fermented milk products. Natural kefir is a fermentation product, it contains beneficial microflora. These bacteria are useful not only for the stomach, but also for the skin and hair. In addition to beneficial bacteria, kefir contains many vitamins. For example, vitamins of group A, B or C.

Therefore, kefir can be used as a face mask or hair mask. The benefit of kefir hair masks is that the lactic acid bacteria in kefir help restore the correct microflora of the scalp. And healthy scalp means healthy and beautiful hair.

Kefir nourishes both the skin and the hair itself. In addition, kefir helps protect hair from the harmful effects of the environment. Even after washing off the kefir mask, a thin film remains on the hair, which protects the hair from drying out or from harmful sun radiation.

Kefir masks can be made from kefir alone or by adding other natural ingredients, such as rye bread or vegetable oil. Before applying, it is better to warm up the kefir to room temperature. Keep it on your hair for up to half an hour. You can wash it off with shampoo, but it is better not to use shampoos for deep hair cleansing, they will wash away the protective film.

Benefits of Mustard Hair Mask

Mustard has several unique properties. One of them is fat removal. Some housewives use mustard for washing dishes instead of detergent. Obviously, the benefits of a mustard hair mask will be for people with oily hair and scalp. You should not make such masks if you have dry hair.

Another property of mustard is stimulation of hair growth. Therefore, if you want your hair to grow faster and more voluminous, this mask will help. It is important to remember that mustard is a strong allergen and it is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, before applying a mustard mask to a large area of skin (head), it is better to test it on the bend of your arm. Apply the mask mixture to the bend of your arm, bend your arm and hold for about twenty minutes. If redness and itching occur, this mask is not suitable for you.

This mask is very easy to prepare. Mustard powder should be diluted in warm water and applied to the hair. Keep for about twenty minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm or cool water. While the mustard is on the hair, you can wrap your head in film or put on a bag and wrap it in a towel.

Benefits of Honey Face Masks

For centuries, people have used honey for treatment and as a natural skin cosmetic. Honey is an excellent antiseptic. This means that it prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, which is very useful in skin care. Honey is also rich in vitamins. It nourishes and protects the skin.

The benefits of honey face masks are obvious. Honey heals skin cracks, cleanses pores and prevents them from clogging. It is an excellent remedy against acne. And honey is universal, because such masks are suitable for all skin types.

The most basic honey mask is made like this: thickened honey needs to be melted in a water bath. It is better not to buy liquid honey from the store. Natural honey necessarily thickens and crystallizes. If you bought liquid, viscous and transparent honey, then either it is not natural or over-melted. After strong heating, honey does not thicken anymore. It has a more marketable appearance, but when over-melted, a harmful substance-carcinogen is formed in honey. Such honey is not good for either the skin or the body.

Therefore, it is better to melt thickened honey at a low temperature and spread it on your face. Keep it for half an hour and wash it off with warm water. Honey can also be mixed with other ingredients. For oily skin, you can add acid to honey, such as lime or lemon juice. And for dry skin, you can add vegetable or essential oil, cream or yolk.

Benefits of oatmeal mask

An oatmeal mask will help make your facial skin soft. Oatmeal is rich in nutrients and also contains a lot of fiber. So the benefits of an oatmeal mask, as well as an oatmeal scrub, are obvious. Ground oatmeal flakes can be rubbed into your face. It turns out to be a soft scrub that does not hurt the skin, helps exfoliate old cells and plates, and remove excess sebum.

Oatmeal is a great base for masks. You can make masks for oily skin based on oatmeal. It is also suitable for dry skin. Again, depending on the skin type, we add different components to this neutral base. For oily skin - acid (citrus juice, sour cream, kefir). For dry skin - oils and fat (fish oil, olive oil, cream).

The flakes must first be ground or simply steamed in hot water and allowed to cool. Then add the remaining ingredients and apply to the face. Keep for about forty minutes. It is better to wash off with warm water and without soap.

Benefits of Gelatin Hair Mask

Gelatin may not seem like the most suitable ingredient for a hair mask. But this is only at first glance. Of course, if you prepare or apply a gelatin mask incorrectly, it will be very difficult to wash it off. And it can also cause negative consequences. At the same time, the benefits of a gelatin hair mask are great.

Gelatin is rich in collagen and vitamins. This means it nourishes and restores hair. It also promotes rapid hair growth. If your hair grows slowly, you can mix gelatin with mustard – you will get an excellent hair growth stimulant.

So, here are some rules for using such a mask. Gelatin must be dissolved correctly. The main thing here is not to boil it. It is better to dissolve it in a steam bath. The second rule is not to rub it into your hair and head. It will itch and burn. The third rule is that the mask should be without lumps. They will be difficult to remove from your hair.

If you follow these rules, the gelatin mask will benefit you and help you grow amazing hair, as well as improve your hair health.

Benefits of sour cream face mask

Natural sour cream is an excellent product that can be safely used in home cosmetology. It is important to understand that sour cream is a fermented milk product, so it is better to use it for oily and combination skin, and not for dry skin.

Sour cream can serve as an excellent base for a mask. The benefit of a sour cream face mask is that it cleanses and whitens the skin. It also nourishes the skin, because this product is rich in vitamins and live microorganisms.

You can add other ingredients to the sour cream mask. For example, you can mix it with oatmeal or honey. It helps to quickly tighten the skin. If you mix sour cream with cottage cheese (fat-free for oily skin) and hold it on your face for about twenty minutes, the lifting effect, as they say, will be obvious. And sour cream with citrus juice will also help eliminate acne.

All folk recipes are good in their own way. The main thing is to understand what type of skin or hair they are suitable for and how to use them correctly. Then you will find the best face and hair care products in your own kitchen.


The iLive portal does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The information published on the portal is for reference only and should not be used without consulting a specialist.
Carefully read the rules and policies of the site. You can also contact us!

Copyright © 2011 - 2025 iLive. All rights reserved.