The beauty aisle can be dizzying. Between £70 serums and sheet masks, you often come away with three products and no real idea what you need. So why not make your own? A mask mixed just before use gives you a fresh texture, no preservatives and a formula you know inside out. In practice, it is the ritual that makes a Sunday-night routine feel more considered.

There is a real limit: a homemade mask won't keep. Mix it when you're ready to use it, apply it straight away and bin the leftovers. No little pot in the fridge for next week.

Before you start mixing

Bowls, spoons, a citrus squeezer: everything needs to be clean and dry. Start by cleansing your face and neck. Then avoid the eye and mouth areas, which are more delicate. If your skin reacts easily, patch-test the inside of your wrist 20 minutes before applying.

One or two applications a week is enough. Any more than that and you're stressing the skin barrier rather than helping it.

For all skin types

Egg white and honey mask. Whisk one egg white to stiff peaks, add a tablespoon of honey — lavender if you have it, otherwise a mild honey. Apply to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area, leave for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with plain water.

Strawberry and yoghurt mask. Mash three large strawberries and mix with a tablespoon of plain yoghurt, ten drops of hazelnut oil and a teaspoon of pink clay. Apply a thin layer, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This blend is traditionally used on combination skin; rinse it off thoroughly.

For combination and oily skin

Two options, depending on what you have to hand. First: mix a tablespoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice. Apply, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with plain water. Lemon can sting — if it burns, remove it immediately.

Second: mix three tablespoons of green clay with water or milk, with an optional tablespoon of honey. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Important: clay should never be allowed to dry completely on the skin, or it will leave it feeling tight.

For dry skin

Does your skin feel tight after a shower? Here, comfort comes first. Mix a tablespoon of crème fraîche, a tablespoon of acacia honey and a few drops of lemon. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse.

Another very simple version: mash half an avocado with two tablespoons of honey. Leave for the same amount of time, then rinse with warm water.

For a fresher or warmer look

For a quick freshen-up, mash a cucumber with a little fresh milk until you have a smooth paste. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse. For a warmer effect, mix two tablespoons of turmeric with crème fraîche. Be warned: turmeric stains skin and fabric. Use a little and rinse carefully.

I haven't tested these recipes on every skin type: they are documented, not validated one by one. None is a substitute for dermatological advice. If you are unsure or have a particular skin condition, speak to a healthcare professional before applying a homemade mask.

Léna's verdict

For simplicity, the avocado and honey mask comes out top: two ingredients, a fork and a texture that's easy to mix. Clay masks need a little more finesse, but they are often recommended for skin that gets shiny. My advice: start with one recipe, repeat it two or three times and see how your skin responds before trying another. It's less glamorous than a shelf full of bottles, but it genuinely earns its keep.

Sources