5 Homemade Masks to Firm Your Skin

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and firmness. This can cause sagging of the facial skin along the jawline and around the eyes and mouth. The quality of our skin is also affected by other factors, such as lifestyle, diet and genetics. There are many commercial face masks and lotions available that claim to reverse signs of aging and repair skin. However, these shop-bought products often contain chemicals and artificial perfume. It is much better for the skin to use natural, homemade products. This article will explore five natural homemade masks which will work wonders to firm your skin.

The causes of loose skin

Aging

Loose skin can be caused by many factors and aging is the main culprit. As we get older, skin naturally loses its collagen which gives it its tone and elasticity. This results in softer, looser skin and a lack of firmness. However, it is possible to reduce the rate at which skin ages by implementing certain skincare techniques.

Poor diet

The food we eat nourishes our skin. If we eat badly then our skin suffers, in the same way that all our body parts suffer from a poor diet. Eating nutritious, whole grain foods and plenty of vegetables helps maintain youthful skin. 

Lack of exercise

Exercise stimulates new cell growth because it encourages oxygen and nutrients to nourish the skin. By exercising we can slow down the aging process, especially if we build lean muscle by light weight training and other weight-bearing exercise.

Too much sun

The sun ages our skin more rapidly than anything else. UV rays from the sun dehydrate the skin and destroy the collagen resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and lack of firmness.

Stress

Your emotional state affects your skin. Anxiety and stress cause your skin to look dull. This is because hormones your body makes to deal with high levels of stress can make it harder for your skin to absorb nutrients. 

Homemade masks for firmer skin

Carrot and orange mask

Carrots and oranges are excellent for fighting skin flaccidity. This is because these fruits contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, beta-carotenes and antioxidants, which are all vital for skin health. Simply blend a carrot with orange juice and add a tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture to your face gently using a cotton ball. Focus especially on the neck, chin and cheeks as these are areas where skin flaccidity can be a problem. Allow the mask to rest on the face for 20 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

Tomato, lemon and sugar mask

The delicate skin on your face needs more protection from the elements than the rest of your skin. Tomato and lemon are strong antioxidants for the skin so a mask using these two ingredients will offer powerful protection. Take two tomatoes and blend together with a tablespoon of lemon juice and two tablespoons of sugar. Apply this mixture to your face with a cotton ball and leave it to rest for 15 minutes.

For those with very sensitive skin, the lemon may feel a little irritating. This is because lemon is quite astringent and contains citrus acids. If you feel this irritation or tingling sensation, simply rinse the mask off using cool water. This tomato and lemon mask is most effective if used twice every week. The sugar also acts as a mild exfoliator which stimulate the skin, removes any dead flakes and encourages new cell growth.

Apple, melon and oatmeal mask

Apple and melon contain properties which are excellent for all skin types. Mash together half an apple, three melon slices of any variety, two tablespoons of oatmeal and a tablespoon of honey. Melon tones your skin and increases firmness. If you add apple and oatmeal to it, you will get an amazing and perfect mixture to hydrate and give more firmness to your skin. Blend the apple and melon together and add the oatmeal and honey to create a thick mixture. Apply this mask to clean skin and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. Wash the mask off with cool water and repeat the procedure three times a week for softer, smoother and firmer skin.