By Emily
Best DIY Face Masks for Acne: Homemade masks using Honey, Cinnamon, and Oatmeal are great for killing bacteria and calming red and inflammed skin. While these masks help with active pimples and dark spots, they cannot fix deep, textured acne scars. For indented scars, the most effective home treatment is microneedling with a tool like the Banisher 3.0.
We all know that face masks can be a little pricey. If you're like me, you aren't able to dish out big bucks for a little jar in the hopes of it working. Here are some of the best recipes I have found over the years that work wonders for acne, and only cost a few dollars! ( But honestly in this economy, buying a face mask might not cost much more than getting all the ingredients )
4 Best DIY Face Mask Recipes for Acne
Here are the best recipes I’ve found over the years. They are easy to make and work wonders for your skin.
1. The "Bacteria Fighter" (Honey, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg)
This mask is perfect for stopping new pimples before they start.
- Why it works: Honey is like a natural antibiotic that kills acne bacteria [1]. Cinnamon also helps fight germs and reduces redness [2]. Nutmeg is a very gentle way to scrub away dead skin.
- Recipe: Mix 2 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp nutmeg.
- How to use: Put it on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse!
2. The "Spot Targeter" (Honey, Lemon, and Baking Soda)
Use this mask when you have active breakouts that you want to go away fast.
- Why it works: Lemon juice helps lighten dark marks (hyperpigmentation), and baking soda helps calm down upset skin [3]. Honey keeps your skin soft so it doesn't get too dry.
- Recipe: Mix 1 Tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp baking soda.
- How to use: Apply to your face and rinse after 15 minutes.
3. The "Pore Shrinker" (Egg White, Lemon, and Honey)
This is my personal favorite! It makes your skin feel tight and smooth.
- Why it works: Egg whites are great for making pores look smaller and evening out your skin tone. Lemon juice helps fade dark spots, and honey breaks down extra oil (sebum).
- Recipe: Mix 1 egg white, 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 Tbsp honey.
- How to use: Let it sit until it gets hard (about 20 minutes), then rinse it off.
4. The "Skin Calmer" (Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey)
If your skin feels dry or irritated, this is the mask for you.
- Why it works: Oatmeal is famous for calming down red, itchy skin [4]. Milk helps soften your skin and reduces inflammation.
- Recipe: Mix 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup milk, 1 Tbsp honey, and 1/2 cup water.
- How to use: Cook it on the stove for 5 minutes, let it cool down until it's just warm, and leave it on your face for 15 minutes.
Quick Comparison of DIY Masks
| Mask Type | Best For | Main Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria Fighter | Preventing new pimples | Honey & Cinnamon |
| Spot Targeter | Active breakouts | Lemon & Baking Soda |
| Pore Shrinker | Tightening skin | Egg Whites |
| Skin Calmer | Red or dry skin | Oatmeal & Milk |
Important: Can DIY Masks Fix Acne Scars?
It is important to know that while these masks may help pimples and dark spots, they cannot fix deep, textured acne scars (like pits or "ice pick" scars). This is because those scars are deep in the skin where a gentle surface level mask can't really change.
If you want to fix textured scars at home, the best treatment is microneedling. This uses tiny needles to help your skin grow new collagen. A great tool for this is the Banisher 3.0 from Banish. It is much more effective for acne scars than any homemade mask and it's the safest and easiest to use tool out there!
references
[1] Julianti, E., et al. (2017). Antibacterial activity of honey and cinnamon against acne bacteria. Scientia Pharmaceutica. This study shows how honey and cinnamon work together to kill the germs that cause acne. Link
[2] Kumar, K. S., et al. (2010). Health benefits of honey and cinnamon. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. A review of how these natural ingredients help heal skin. Link
[3] Healthline (2019). Baking soda for skin. Baking soda can help reduce bacteria, but should be used carefully to keep skin balanced. Link
[4] Reynertson, K., et al. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. This research proves that oatmeal is excellent for calming down irritated skin. Link
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