This winter avoid looking older by keeping your skin moisturized. For some of us it's not that easy, as it will make our skin look oily. So a great alternative is a moisturizing mask, used up to once a day. The one I use is Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask. It's a cream-mask that intensively re-hydrates and revitalizes my skin, keeping it from getting dried out in the cold winter months. It's a reasonably priced mask ($35 at Nordstrom.com) that lasts about 6 weeks if I use it every other day. I put it on in the evening, as if I do it in the morning my face looks a bit oily. Don't apply past the brow or eye bone or you could wake up with puffy eyes.

Also it was named a 'Consumer Choice' at Allure magazine

 

Many people enjoy having a facial, but not everyone enjoys paying a spa $100 and up to get one, especially when money is tight. Many times the facials you get at a Spa are as simple as the ones we have listed, but you can do them at home for $5 or less.

Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Natural enzymes in pumpkin help to peel away (exfoliate) dead cells, revealing smoother and brighter skin. Pumpkin facial products can cost up to $80, but this quick and easy mask can be created in your own kitchen with leftovers from parties and other celebrations. This mask is a great clarifying treatment for those with oily and combination skin types.

1/4c Pumpkin Purée

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

3 Tsp Honey

Juice of 1/2 a Lemon

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Lightly massage onto clean, dry skin and let the mask sit for 5 -10 minutes. Rinse the skin with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.

Matcha Green Tea Facial Mask

Matcha Green Tea Mask is appropriate for all skin types, but especially effective for those with mature and aging skin. Matcha (green tea) powder is full of powerful antioxidants and can be found online or at an Asian specialty store. As an alternative to Matcha powder, cut open a few natural green tea bags (beware of additives and flavored green teas). Silken tofu adds a silky texture while hydrating and soothing the skin. Honey and lemon exfoliate and brighten the complexion.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Matcha (green tea) Powder

1/3 Cup Soft Silken Tofu

1 Tbsp Honey

Juice of 1/2 a Lemon

Use paper towels or a fine cheesecloth to squeeze excess moisture from the tofu. The resulting texture will resemble a moist feta cheese. Mix the ingredients together in a non-reactive bowl. Apply to clean, dry skin on the face, neck and décolleté areas. Leave the mask on for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat your skin dry, and apply your favorite moisturizer.

Hydrating Oatmeal Body Mask

Oatmeal is the perfect natural remedy for dry and itchy skin. This mask is a favorite for dry climates and during the winter season. It soothes and hydrates the skin.

Ingredients:

1c prepared plain oatmeal (leftover from the breakfast pot is perfect)

1/2c whole milk (please do not substitute skim)

3 tbsp honey

After cleansing your body, restart your shower or bath water on hot and close the bathroom door to collect steam. Combine the oatmeal, whole milk and honey in a food processor and purée until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and microwave for 30 – 60 seconds, until warm, but not scorching. You may now stir in a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added aromatherapy (optional). Return to your bathroom with the heated mask. Massage the mask into your skin in the steam-filled bathroom and let it sit for up to 10 – 15 minutes. Lower the water temperature to warm, and rinse off. Lightly towel dry and immediately apply your favorite moisturizer.

If you are looking for a good detoxifying mask, take a peek at this one by REN. It is the REN multi-Mineral detox face mask. A great pre-party-makeup prep, skin-firming French kaolin clay extracts any excess oil and dirt from your pores, while lavender, blue cypress, and bergamot essential oils soothe your skin so you don’t wind up with that squeaky-clean taut effect that can leave you feeling dried-out and flaky. Add to this a healthy dose of spirulina seaweed, which is rich in fatty acids for improved texture and tone, and your skin is officially detoxified. This is a great mask for pre-makeup as well as in the evenings after your make up has been removed. Available at drugstore.com., $34

Sometimes my favorite thing to do is slather on a mud mask and bask in the tub. A good cleansing mask can do wonders for your skin and you'll get immediate results. Think of it like a laundry booster that takes care of stubborn stains. A cleansing mask decongests pores, lifts impurities, and exfoliates dull cells that a daily cleanser can't get to. I recommend using a masque formulated for your particular skin type at least once a week. I like a clay mask because my skin always feels so tight and clean when I'm done. One of my favorites is the Dead Sea Premiere Mud Mask. It is an anti-wrinkle mud mask that provides the skin with sources of energy and oxygen, stimulating the cell cycle. This mask tightens pores, lifts the skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

This mask contains Contains Dead Sea mineral mud, officinalis extract (calendula), cucumber extract, mimosa tenuiflora bark extract, seaweed extract, honey extract, ginkgo extract, bilberry extract, musk rose oil, lanolin, sunflower seed oil, and aloe vera extract.

I'm sure there are lots of great mud masks out there, but I have only tried a few and this one is really great. If you know of any other good mud masks, please leave a post.