Beauty masks for oily skin

Almond-Cucumber Scrub

3-4 tbsp pulverized almonds (skin softener, protein, abrasive action)
1/2 freshly squeezed cucumber (astringent)

Pulverized almonds in blended or mash fine and remove oil with a paper towel. Wash cucumber well and wipe dry. Squeeze or blend cucumber (skin and all), strain it, and add in small amounts at a time to almond meal until a spreadable paste is formed. Apply to face. Leave for 20 minutes and remove with warm water followed with a splash of cold. As you remove mask, use a “washing” motion to benefit from the abrasiveness of the almonds.


Lemon-Oat Scrub

3-4 tbsp oatmeal (protein, abrasive action, vehicle for juice) juice of one or two lemons (astringent)

Pulverize oatmeal (not instant) in blender or mash fine. Strain lemon juice and add to oatmeal in small amounts until a spreadable paste is formed. Apply to face. Leave for 20 minutes and remove with warm water followed with a splash of cold. As you remove the mask, use a “washing” motion to benefit from the abrasiveness of the oatmeal.


Clay Pack

2 oz filler’s earth (pulling power, drying qualities)
2 tbsp tincture of benzoin (antiseptic)
Mineral water (skin softener)

Add tincture of benzoin to fuller’s earth and work in enough water to form a soft clay. Apply to face and let remain for 20 minutes. Remove with warm water followed with cold.


Strawberry Mask

3-4 tbsp bran (skin softener)
1/4 cup fresh strawberry juice (astringent)

Pulverize bran in blender or mash fine. Strain strawberry juice and blend into bran. Apply to face and let remain for 20 minutes. Rinse away with warm and then cool water.


Grapefruit Pack

2 oz fuller’ earth (pulling power, drying qualities)
Grapefruit juice (astringent)

Squeeze and strain fresh grapefruit. Add in small amounts to fuller’s earth until a spreadable paste is formed. Apply to face and let remain for 20 minutes. Remove with warm water followed with a splash of cold.


Lemon ‘n’ Egg Mask

1 egg white (tightening power)
Juice of 1 lemon (astringent)

Whip egg white until frothy. Beat in lemon juice. Apply to face. As first application begins to dry, add another layer. If skin is exceptionally oily, add a third layer when second is dry. Let remain on face for 10-15 minutes. Remove with cool water. (leftover mask can be held in refrigerator and reused.)


Fresh Orange Mask

3-4 tbsp brewer’s yeast (vitamin B, vehicle for juice, abrasive action)
Juice of 1/2 orange (astringent)
1/4 tsp tincture of benzoin (antiseptic)

Mix yeast with strained orange juice to make a rather thick paste. Blend in tincture of benzoin. Apply to face and let remain for 20 minutes. Remove with warm water followed with a splash of cold. As you remove mask, use a “washing” motion to benefit from the abrasiveness of the yeast.


Tomato Mask

2 oz fresh or canned tomato juice (astringent)
2 tbsp sage leaves (astringent)
2 tbsp wheat germ (protein, vehicle for juice)

Mix ingredients together and apply to face. Let remain for 20 minutes and remove with warm and then cool water.


Rose and Almond Scrub

3-4 tbsp pulverized almonds (skin softener, protein, abrasive action)
Rose Water (skin softener)
1/2 tsp tincture of benzoin (antiseptic)

Blend enough rose water into the almonds to form a spreadable paste. Add tincture of benzoin. Apply to face and let remain for 20 minutes. Remove with warm water and follow with a splash of cold. When removing mask, use a “washing” motion to benefit from the abrasiveness of the almonds.


Strawberry-Mint Mask

2 oz fresh strawberry juice (astringent)
3 tbsp dried mint leaves (pulling power)
1 tbsp whole wheat flour (protein, vehicle for juice)

Blend ingredients together and apply to face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and remove with warm water followed with a splash of cold.

Steam soup for oily skin

Sage Soup (astringent, pore opener)

Place a handful of dried sage leaves in 1 quart of boiling water. Let steep for a couple of hours. Bring to boil again, remove from heat, and steam face for ten minutes. Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator and reused.

Thyme Soup (astringent, pore opener)

Use either fresh or dried thyme and follow Sage Soup recipe.

Mint Soup (pulling power, astringent, pore opener)

Use either fresh or dried mint leaves and follow Sage Soup recipe.

Moisturizing creams for oily skin

Scented Moisturizing Cream

4 tsp beeswax
4 tsp spermaceti
2 oz light mineral oil
2 tbsp favorite scent (almond is lovely) extract
1/8 tsp borax

Melt beeswax and spermaceti over low heat. Warm mineral oil and beat into wax mixture. Dissolve borax in warm extract and pouring slowly beat into mixture until cool and creamy. Makes over 4 oz. (To make unscented, substitute witch hazel for extract.)



Cucumber Moisturizing Cream

1 tbsp cucumber juice
1 tbsp witch hazel
2 oz mineral oil
1 tbsp beeswax
1/4 tsp borax
2 drops green food coloring

Wash cucumber thoroughly and wipe dry. Squeeze or blend and strain about 2 oz into a small pan and heat briefly. (Do not boil.) Set aside. Melt beeswax over low heat. Warm oil and beat into wax. Dissolve borax in 1 tbsp heated cucumber juice and the witch hazel and, pouring slowly, beat into first mixture until cool and creamy. Beat in food coloring. Makes 4 oz.



Rose & Glycerin Moisturizing Fluid

2 oz rose water
2 oz glycerin

Shake together in bottle. Shake before each use. Makes 4 oz.


Lemon Moisturizing Cream

2 tbsp mineral oil
2 tbsp anhydrous lanolin
3 tbsp petroleum jelly
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 oz lemon extract
1/4 tsp borax
4 to 6 drops yellow food coloring

Melt lanolin and petroleum jelly over low heat. Warm mineral oil and beat into mixture. Heat lemon juice, extract, and borax and, pouring slowly, beat into cream mixture. Beat until cool and creamy. Beat into food coloring and put in jar. Makes 3 oz. Refrigerate.



Protein Moisturizing Cream

1 tbsp beeswax
1 tsp spermaceti
1 oz coconut oil
1 oz mineral oil
1 tsp alcohol
2 tbsp rose water (scant measure)
1/8 tsp borax
1 egg yolk

Melt beeswax and spermaceti over low heat. Heat coconut and mineral oil and beat into wax mixture. Dissolve borax in rose water and alcohol and, pouring slowly, beat into mixture until cool and creamy. Beat in egg yolk. Makes 3 oz. Definitely refrigerate.



Herbal Moisturizing Cream

1 tbsp beeswax
1 tbsp spermaceti
2 oz mineral oil
1 oz castor oil
1 tbsp herb water (see recipe below)
1/8 tsp borax

To make herb water steep 1 1/2 tsp each dried sage and oregano leaves in 3 oz boiled water. Strain after 10 minutes and set aside. Melt beeswax and spermaceti over low heat. Warm oils and beat into waxes. Heat 2 tbsp of the herb water with borax and, pouring slowly, beat into mixture. Beat until cool and creamy. Makes just under 5 oz.

Skin refresheners for oily skin

Gin and Tonic Freshener

3 oz good quality gin
3 oz witch hazel

Shake together in bottle. Don’t drink



Screwdriver Freshener

3 oz vodka
2 oz witch hazel
1 oz fresh orange juice
1 tbsp orange extract

Strain orange juice and shake together with other ingredients in bottle. Don’t drink. Refrigerate.

Brandy Freshener

2 oz good brandy
1oz alcohol
3 oz witch hazel

Shake together in bottle. Don't drink.


Witch Hazel Fizzy Freshener

4 oz witch hazel
1 oz rose water
1 oz alcohol
1 tbsp camphor water
1/4 tsp boric acid
1 tsp tincture of benzoin

Shake together in bottle.


Rose Water Freshener 1

3 oz rose water
1 oz witch hazel
2 oz alcohol
1/2 tsp alum

Shake together in bottle



Rose Water Freshener 2

3 oz rose water
2 oz alcohol
3 tsp camphor water

Shake together in bottle


Strawberry Freshener

2 oz strawberry juice
2 oz witch hazel
2 oz alcohol
1/2 tsp boric acid

Shake together in bottle. Refrigerate.


Cucumber Freshener

3 oz cucumber juice
2 oz witch hazel
2 oz rose water
1 oz alcohol

Strain cucumber juice (skin and all) and shake together with other ingredients in bottle. Refrigerate. (If you want this less perishable, peel the cucumber.)


Lemon or Grapefruit Freshener

2 oz fresh lemon or grapefruit juice
3 oz witch hazel
1 oz alcohol
1 tbsp lemon extract

Strain lemon juice and shake together with other ingredients in bottle. Refrigerate.