Halloween is right around the corner, and we at the ViaBuff office cannot wait to share this fabulous DIY moisturizing mask with your readers. A ViaBuff-original, this mask is a perfect treat for freshly-exfoliated skin that needs a bit of extra moisture to protect it from the biting autumn winds.
Recipe:
2 Tablespoons of Virgin Coconut Oil
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons of Honey
2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
2 Tablespoons of Granulated Sugar
¼ Cup of Warm Water
Mix the ingredients together until they form a paste. If the paste doesn’t appear cohesive, add in a little more olive oil or water until the paste can be applied smoothly to your skin. Leave it on for five to ten minutes, and the wash off with warm water and a soft cloth.
Why We Chose These Ingredients:
Coconut oil – Besides flavoring some of our favorite Halloween candies, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a fabulous moisturizer. For example, research from the journal Dermatitis found that topically-applied VCO hydrated mildly to moderately xerotic skin (a.k.a. very dry skin), making it a great moisturizer for those with chronically dry skin, or if you are someone who likes cranking up the heat and taking piping-hot showers during the cold weather. VCO is also believed to possess antibacterial properties, specifically against bacteria like S. aureus and P. acnes, the latter of which is an acne-causing bacteria (Dermatitis, Natural Medicine Journal). But what does this mean for your skin? Topically-applied VCO can not only hydrate your skin, but also protect against those bacteria which can compromise already vulnerable skin types.
Olive oil – While olive oil isn’t quite Halloween-themed, we cannot resist including this multi-benefit ingredient in our face mask. Research has shown that topically-applied olive oil can exhibit antioxidant and anti-photocarcinogenic effects against UVB-irradiated skin (Carcinogenesis). Olive oil has also been found to treat and prevent against dermatitis in infants (Pediatric Dermatitis) , which is great news for those of us suffering from facial dermatitis and other dry skin conditions. When combined with honey and beeswax and applied twice daily, olive oil was also found to alleviate some symptoms of psoriasis and dermatitis in a study from the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
Honey – Despite being a favorite ingredient in our autumn-time desserts, honey can also do wonders for the skin. Topically-applied honey has demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. aureus andH.pylori, among other bacteria, and an promote wound healing for infected, deep surgical wounds, in addition to treating those infected wounds that are resilient to more traditional treatments (Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine). In addition to protecting against at least 70 types of bacteria, topically-applied honey can also promote healing and granulation tissue formation in wounds (Wounds)
Cocoa – If we weren’t so concerned about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we would chow down on chocolate every day. However, this delightful treat isn’t all bad; topically-applied cocoa can hold many benefits for your skin. For example, cocoa polyphenols offer a degree of photoprotection when applied topically (Nutrients) – a bonus for those of us who sometimes forget to re-apply our sunscreen. Research from the International Journal of Cosmetic Science similarly found that when applied topically, the polyphenols in cocoa improved skin elasticity and tonus.
Granulated Sugar –If you have sensitive or compromised skin that is prone to bacterial infection, than sugar may be able to help. For example, research indicates that topically-applied granulated sugar is able to prevent bacterial infection recurrence in those who are healing from open heart surgery, in addition to encouraging epithelialization (Orvosi Hetilap, Standards of Care: Emergency and Critical Care Medicine) Even better, research from Wounds International found that topically-applied granulates sugar could encourage granulation tissue formation, promoted wound contraction, and treated malodorous wounds
Bottom Line
Exfoliation is supremely beneficial to your skin and here at ViaBuff, we have an array of custom exfoliation levels for every skin type. Exfoliation has been shown to do everything from increasing blood circulation to the skin, to improving ingredient absorption of other skin care products. For the best experience, it is always a good rule of thumb to moisturize right after exfoliating. We recommend this DIY facial moisturizing mask. It’s easy to make, smells pleasant, and feels good on the skin!
