It’s that blessed time of year when the mangoes are in season, flooding the markets throughout the country with fresh, mango-ey goodness. Not only are these tropical fruits delicious to eat raw, straight (and put in smoothies), they work wonders for the skin.
Whether you have extra left over from a recipe, or buy a mango that gets a little too-ripe before you get a chance to eat it, you can use some of the in-season mango on your face. This might seem crazy, but is a great way to go — they contain extremely high levels of beta carotene, vitamin C and natural fruit acids, which are natural, gentle exfoliators (all the previous ingredients you will also find in expensive face masks). Below, find my favorite ways for using the fruit to get smooth, soft skin.
Mango and Honey Face Mask Recipe (via nichetopics.com)
Honey retains moisture so your skin feels hydrated and fresh all day. It also absorbs impurities from the pores in the skin, making it a very effective chemical-free remedy to clear skin blemishes like acne and pimples.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons finely chopped mango pulp
1-2 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons almond oil
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a bowl; mix well.
Apply on your clean face and neck. Leave the face mask on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Good for all skin types.
Nourishing Mango Mud Mask (via Crunchy Betty)
•1/4 of a mango, chopped in pieces
•1 tablespoons white clay or finely ground oats
•1 tablespoon honey
•1/4 c. milk or heavy cream (add more for consistency)
Chop your mango into pieces and toss into your food processor or blender. Whir it up until they’re nice and pasty. Add the milk and honey, and blend more. Then add your clay (which can be easily found at Mountain Rose Herbs or any number of local natural foods stores) or finely ground oats. Blend until smooth. (As noted in the pic above, it’s okay to have some chunks.)
Apply to a clean face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with a warm washcloth.
How to make your own AHA mango facemask (via Eco-Chick.com):
1. Start with an organic, fair-trade mango and rinse it well under the tap (you can use a teensy bit of all-natural soap if it’s sticky from other-mango juice).
2. Holding the mango lengthwise, cut the skin (but not deep into the mango) in four or five long cuts, from the top where the mango would have attached to its tree to the bottom.
3. Gently peel the skin away from the mango fruit (kinda like peeling an orange except the skin is thinner so you have to be more gentle).
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