Let’s be real—between summer heat, humidity, and all the busy plans we cram into these warm months, our skin and hair get totally neglected sometimes. I swear, just last week I spent $40 on a fancy face mask that left my skin more irritated than glowy. So this year, I decided to swap the overpriced store-bought stuff for simple DIY masks using ingredients I already have lying around my kitchen. Turns out, there are so many easy DIY hair masks and face masks you can whip up in 10 minutes flat, no fancy tools required. If you want to carve out a few hours (or even a whole lazy day) for some low-key self-care this summer, stick around—these 6 recipes are total game-changers.
Homemade DIY Face Masks
First up, let’s talk face masks. Whether you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, there’s a kitchen staple recipe here that will work for you. No weird synthetic chemicals, just good old-fashioned food that’s actually safe to put on your face (and even eat, if you’re into that).
Yogurt & Lemon Juice Face Mask (From Your Fridge!)
Okay, this one is so simple I almost forgot to include it—but don’t sleep on how well it works. Plain old yogurt and lemon juice are two ingredients most of us have in our fridge at all times, right? Let me break it down:
- Grab 1 tablespoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt—skip the flavored stuff, it has way too much added sugar
- Squeeze in half a fresh lemon’s worth of juice, make sure you don’t get any seeds in there!
- Stir it up until it’s a smooth, spreadable paste
Wash your face first with a gentle cleanser, then slather this mixture all over your clean skin—avoid the eye area, since lemon can be a little harsh there. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm (not hot!) water. Your skin will feel so soft and refreshed, like you just left a spa. I use this when my skin feels dull after a long day in the sun, and it always brings back that healthy glow.
Banana, Honey & Oatmeal Face Mask (From Your Pantry!)
Have you ever had an overripe banana that’s just too spotty to eat? Don’t toss it! This mask is perfect for using up those sad, brown bananas, and it’s so calming for irritated or inflamed skin. I made this last month when my cheeks got super dry from blowing the AC on full blast, and it fixed everything in one use.
- Mash up 1 ripe banana in a small bowl until it’s totally smooth, no lumps allowed
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of plain old rolled oats—if you have extra thick skin, go for 2 tablespoons
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of raw honey, which is great for locking in moisture and fighting redness
Spread this evenly over your face, and let it sit for 20 minutes, or until the oats start to harden a little. Rinse it off with warm water, and you’ll be shocked at how smooth your skin feels. Pro tip: If you want an extra moisturizing boost, add a tiny drop of almond oil to the mix!
Turmeric, Honey & Aloe Vera Face Mask (From Your Spice Rack!)
If you haven’t jumped on the turmeric skincare train yet, now is the perfect time. Turmeric has been used for centuries to brighten skin and reduce inflammation, and this mask is such a easy way to test it out. Now, I know what you’re thinking—“won’t turmeric stain my skin yellow?” Don’t worry, as long as you rinse it off properly, it won’t leave any permanent color. I promise!
- Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel—you can use store-bought or scoop it straight from an aloe plant if you have one
- Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey, same as the last mask
- Stir in half a tablespoon of ground turmeric, start with less if you’re nervous about staining
Apply this mask to your clean face, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off thoroughly. Your skin will look brighter and feel so calm, even if you had a breakout or sunburn. I’ve used this after a day at the beach, and it helped soothe my sun-kissed red skin overnight.
Homemade DIY Hair Masks
Now, let’s move on to hair masks. Between summer humidity, chlorine from pools, and saltwater from the ocean, our hair gets so beat up this time of year. These DIY hair masks will help repair damage, add moisture, and even fix oily scalps—no salon trip required.
Milk, Honey & Olive Oil Hair Mask (From Your Fridge!)
This is the ultimate cream hair mask for dry, damaged hair. It’s so moisturizing, it’ll make your hair feel like it just left a high-end salon. I use this once a week after a long weekend at the lake, and it gets rid of all the dry, frizzy ends instantly.
- Pour 1 cup of whole milk into a small bowl—skip the skim milk, it doesn’t have enough fat to moisturize properly
- Add 2 tablespoons of raw honey, which will add shine and soften your strands
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, another classic moisturizer for hair
Wash your hair first with a gentle shampoo, then towel dry it so it’s not soaking wet. Apply the mask from your roots all the way to the ends, and use a wide-tooth comb to make sure every strand is covered. If you want, you can put a shower cap on to trap heat and help the ingredients sink in better. Let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water—hot water will make the honey sticky and hard to wash out. Your hair will be so soft and shiny, you won’t even need styling products!
Avocado & Coconut Oil Hair Mask (From Your Pantry!)
Avocados are packed with biotin and healthy fats, which are perfect for repairing dry, brittle hair. This mask is great if you color-treated your hair over the summer, or if your ends are super split and frizzy. I first tried this recipe when my hair felt like straw after a month of using heat tools, and it brought it back to life in one use.
- Mash up 1 ripe avocado in a bowl until it’s completely smooth, no big chunks
- Add 2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil, which will add moisture and protect your hair from future damage
Apply this mask to clean, towel-dried hair, focusing especially on the ends. Let it sit for 45 to 60 minutes—this one takes a little longer than the others, but trust me, it’s worth it. You can even leave it on overnight if you have time, just wrap your hair in a towel to keep it from getting on your pillow. Rinse it off thoroughly with cool water, and you’ll notice your hair is way softer and less frizzy right away.
Sea Salt, Lemon Juice & Coconut Oil Hair Mask (For Oily Scalps!)
If you have an oily scalp, this mask is perfect for you. Sea salt is great at absorbing excess oil, and lemon juice helps balance the pH of your scalp and add shine. I use this when my roots get greasy by midday, and it leaves my hair feeling fresh for days.
Important note: This one is only for oily scalps! If you have dry hair, skip this one, since the sea salt can strip away too much moisture.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of sea salt with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil, which will keep the salt from drying out your ends
Apply this mask to your scalp first, massaging it in gently with your fingertips to work out any excess oil. Then, spread the rest of the mixture down the length of your hair. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. You might want to follow up with a gentle shampoo to get rid of any salt residue, but don’t worry—your hair will feel clean and lightweight, not dry or crunchy.
Alright, that’s all 6 easy DIY hair and face masks! I hope these recipes inspire you to try some at-home self-care this summer. The best part is, you can mix and match these ingredients to fit your exact needs—add a little extra honey if you need more moisture, or skip the turmeric if you don’t have it on hand. Just make sure any ingredients you use are safe for your skin or scalp, and if you have any allergies, do a patch test first.
At the end of the day, taking a little time to take care of yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Even 30 minutes once a week with a simple DIY mask can make such a big difference in how you feel. Don’t be afraid to spoil yourself a little—you deserve it!
