12 Homemade Face Masks for Fresh, Younger-Looking Skin

Pomegranate to Soften

Pomegranate seeds might be hard to crack into, but they're well worth the effort.

These tart crunchy seeds are loaded with anti-aging compounds, like antioxidants and vitamin C, and are a popular addition to yogurt or oatmeal.

But, they're also beneficial when it comes to your beauty regimen.

This Pomegranate Exfoliating Scrub at-home recipe helps remove dead skin cells for smooth, soft skin.

How to make it: In a food processor, combine

• 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal.

Process until the mixture forms a paste then transfer it to a bowl. Stir in:

• 2 tablespoons honey—an antiseptic
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk

Apply to the face and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water. For rough patches—like elbows—add ¾ cup turbinado sugar.

Cranberries to Exfoliate

This fruit is a popular ingredient in holiday side dishes, dressings, and drinks.

Cranberries can also help naturally exfoliate lackluster dead skin.

Try this refreshing treatment twice a month.

How to make it: Mix the following ingredients in a food processor or blender at medium speed for 20 seconds, until they have a paste-like texture.

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cup seedless red or green grapes
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin

Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 45 minutes to allow it to thicken. Remove from the fridge and let sit for about 10 minutes. Spread the mixture on clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Pumpkin to Hydrate and Soften

This fall favorite is packed with anti-aging antioxidants and vitamins C and A.

The inside "meat" of the pumpkin can be processed into a thick mask to help hydrate and soften skin.

How to make it: In a food processor or blender, combine the following ingredients and blend until well-mixed and smooth.

• 2 cups canned pumpkin
• 4 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Coat your face with the mixture and leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Strawberry for Collagen

Vitamin C is a natural anti-aging compound and strawberries are full of it!

Eating them helps, but you can double the effect by trying this strawberry mask, to help fight free radicals, which can damage skin cells and break down collagen.

How to make it: This recipe makes a smoothie for you to enjoy as well as enough for a nice facial. In a food processor or blender, combine the following ingredients and process them until they are smooth.

• 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries—or a mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries as they're all antioxidant stars
• 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
• 1-1/2 tablespoons honey—a great moisturizer

After enjoying your smoothie, apply the leftover to your face once or twice a week.

Honey for Moisture

Honey as a facial treatment may help skin retain moisture. It also heals dry or chapped skin and can give you firmer, smoother skin.

How to make it: Warm a small pot of honey in a double boiler over low heat. After testing a small dab on the inside of your elbow for a safe temperature, apply the honey generously over your entire face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm, then cool water.

Yogurt for Discoloration

This breakfast staple is also a great skin smoother and purifier. Opt for plain (flavorless) Greek yogurt for the mask, not a fruity variety.

Yogurt contains lactic acid, a compound found in some chemical peels, that may help clear blemishes, and discoloration, and reduce fine wrinkles.

How to make it: Mix together the following ingredients in a small bowl.

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 to 3 drops of almond or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Apply the mixture to your face, and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.

Greek Olive Pits Body Scrub

Those annoying little seeds inside Greek olives can do wonders for your appearance. When ground, these pits act as a grainy exfoliating face mask to help remove dirt build-up and dead skin cells.

How to make it: Remove the pits from olives and grind them in a food processor until you have a medium to a fine consistency. Use the ground pits as a body scrub to remove dry, dead skin cells.

Green Tea for Aging

What's the latest thing brewing for your skin? Green tea!

These tea bags just may be your new beauty best friend. Green tea is loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds and tannins to help reduce puffiness on your skin.

Green tea also provides antioxidants to fight against premature aging.

How to make it: Chill damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10–15 minutes.

Brown Sugar Exfoliate

Sweeten your anti-aging regimen with this. The natural grains in brown sugar help exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells for a healthier glow.

Use this treatment twice a week.

How to make it: (Created by The Body Deli) Pulse the brown sugar in a coffee grinder to make it finer and a bit less abrasive—no need to grind if you're using it for your body. Then combine the brown sugar with the following ingredients and stir until they form a paste.

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil—for extra moisture
• Pinch of nutmeg for fragrance

Wet your face and apply the scrub in a circular motion for 1 to 2 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Maple Syrup for Aging

Save a drizzle of this sticky, sweet breakfast topping for a beauty pick-me-up.

Pure maple syrup is loaded with antioxidant-laden compounds that may help repair free radical damage and reverse signs of aging.

How to make it: (Created by June Jacobs) Stir together the following ingredients.

• 1 tablespoon warm milk
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons finely ground oats—use a coffee or spice grinder to grind the oats

Massage the mixture gently onto your face, leave it on for up to 20 minutes, rinse off, and follow it with a moisturizer.

Olive Oil To Prevent Wrinkling

The Greeks were on to something when they started eating foods that now famously make up the Mediterranean diet.

One of their more treasured ingredients is olive oil, which is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances that are good for your heart.

Olive oil in your diet or used topically may reduce inflammation and free radical damage, and prevent wrinkling.

How to make it: Apply olive oil directly to the skin, then rub with a cloth until the skin feels smooth. Rinse.

Avocado Moisturizing Facial

Drop the tortilla chips and swap your guacamole in lieu of this moisturizing face mask recipe.

Avocadoes are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin B, and potassium that can also help moisturize the skin and act as an exfoliating mask for dry skin.

How to make it: Mix together

• 1 avocado
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons of finely ground oatmeal—use a coffee or spice grinder to grind the oats
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice

Apply the mixture liberally to your face, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Do this twice a week and you'll have softer, supple skin.