If you’ve ever been to a spa, we are pretty sure that you’ve drunk some cucumber water.  It’s pretty tasty and it’s good for your skin, but did you know it also works great as a face mask? 

This week was #zerowasteweek and we think you should give your cucumbers a second look…  We are all a bit guilty of getting to the bottom half of the cucumber and thinking it’s too squishy to eat, but your skin doesn’t mind that at all!

How do Cucumbers benefit your skin?

They’ve got vitamins, minerals and a lot of natural nutrients that can help your skin on several levels.

• Reduces swelling and puffiness
• Drinking and even just cutting them to put on your face is a great way to calm down your skin and get rid of puffy eyes

• Great for Acne Prone Skin
• If you’ve got oily skin, then it’s likely that your pores can get clogged and this might lead to you having breakouts
• Cucumbers act as a mild astringent; they cleanse your skin and tighten up your pores

• Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
• Cucumbers are very helpful because they are high in antioxidants
• Vitamin C – this helps to spur new cell growth
• Folic Acid – fight off environmental toxins that none of us get to avoid

• Hydration Base
• 96% water which makes cucumbers a great base for you to add other moisturizing ingredients such as - aloe vera gel, oatmeal or honey 

It’s important to note that you can just apply the cucumber juice directly to your face… You can take it a step further by cutting out your own sheet mask, made from an old washcloth or towel.  It’s very easy to free hand it or get some help, if you’d like it just right, you can always download a sheet mask pattern from the internet and voila.  This is great to have because you can reuse it over and over again without a problem.  

Cucumber and Aloe Vera Mask

This is a great mask if you suffer from dry skin because aloe vera will boost hydration.

1. Blend/Puree half of an unpeeled cucumber and keep blending until it has the consistency of water.
2. Use a strainer to get out any large leftover chunk’s 
3. Add 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel
4. Apply it directly to your face, massaging as you go or if you’ve cut out your sheet mask, simply soak it in your cucumber and aloe mix until its saturated (make sure to wring it out before applying it to your face)
5. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse your face with cool water

Cucumber, Honey and Oatmeal Mask

This is a great mask if you suffer from acne issues, as honey balances out the bacteria on your skin.

1. Blend/Puree half of an unpeeled cucumber and keep blending until it has the consistency of water.
2. Use a strainer to get out any large leftover chunks 
3. Add the cucumber juice, 1 tablespoon oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of honey and blend again
4. Be sure to blend until it’s all smooth, if you’re using the sheet mask, or go ahead and add it directly to your skin
5. For those of you that have essential oils at home and want to add 1-2 drops to really pump up the spa feeling, you can add it to both of these recipes!

You can always check ourInstagram page for more DIY skin care recipes, because we think that skin care made with fresh ingredients is always better… it’s also cheaper.  

Here at i.anka-eo we believe that you are what you put on your skin, after all it’s your largest organ.  Shouldn’t it be the cleanest and best ingredients possible?  We think so!  that’s why we only use 100% Soil Association certified organic essential oils in our blends.

As always, we advocate for a sustainable skin care routine, free of chemicals because we believe that having great skin shouldn't wreck the planet or mess with your body.  Instead using what the earth has given us can enhance and protect the skin we already have.  Would you like to read more?  Here are some of our most popular blogs:

Have you checked your sunscreen ingredients lately?

Need a Skin Reset?

5 Ways Your Skin Care is Messing with the Planet