DIY face masks are all the rage today. People (like me) are choosing to skip the hassle of going to a store and spending money in favor of homemade options. They’re more convenient, better for your skin and really easy to make — especially with the right ingredients.

My favorite: spices. It might sound weird to put spices on your face, especially ones you throw into fiery dishes, but they actually have a lot of different health and aesthetic benefits.

Here’s a list of four beautifying masks you can make with two spices and common kitchen ingredients you might already have in your cupboard. 

#SpoonTip: Never use a spice on your face by itself. The texture will irritate sensitive skin. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, it’s probably best to not take that risk and mix it with something anyway so you only get positive results.

Also — always do a patch test in case you’re allergic to a spice and don't know. This is a real thing. I have seen it happen.

Fennel

Ayurvedic medicine has been using fennel seeds to treat problems like poor digestion, water retention and high blood pressure for centuries — some people even have it after every meal for its general health benefits. Fennel can also be used to improve skin.

The biggest strength of this seed: fighting acne. It contains minerals like zinc and selenium, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidants to stressed skin. Its antiseptic properties also help to fight off bacteria that can cause or make acne worse.

#SpoonTip: Try slipping fennel into your diet as well to gain health benefits for your entire body.

Yogurt Fennel Mask

  • Prep Time:6 mins
  • Cook Time:15 mins
  • Total Time:21 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 tsp dried fennel leaves or seeds
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp plain yogurt

  • Step 1

    Steep fennel leaves in 1/8 - 1/4 cup hot water (depending on how runny you want your mask to be). Drain out and keep the water.

  • Step 2

    Mix the fennel water, honey and yogurt together to make the mask.

  • Step 3

    Leave the mask on your face for about 15 minutes. Wash off with warm and then cool water.

Oatmeal Fennel Mask

  • Prep Time:6 mins
  • Cook Time:15 mins
  • Total Time:21 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • Fennel water from Yogurt Fennel Mask recipe
  • 1 tbsp ground oatmeal
  • 1 tsp honey

  • Step 1

    Combine the three ingredients. Leave on your face for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm and then cool water, rubbing your face gently in circular motions to allow the oatmeal to exfoliate.

Cinnamon

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Natalie Rodriguez

While it may go great in hot chocolate, on a churro or on a gooey roll, cinnamon has a lot more to offer than just taste. Similar to fennel, cinnamon has strong anti-inflammatory qualities and the highest amount of antioxidants a spice can have, helping it fight acne.

Cinnamon is also believed to help make skin smoother and reduce lines by plumping the skin — but this has not been scientifically proven. From personal experience, I find it does work on my skin.

#SpoonTip: Be sure to use pure cinnamon

Aloe Cinnamon Mask

  • Prep Time:4 mins
  • Cook Time:10 mins
  • Total Time:14 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp pure cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp aloe vera
  • 1/4 tsp coconut oil

  • Step 1

    Fresh aloe vera from a plant works best, but store-bought aloe gel will work too. Mix all the ingredients together and leave on the face for 10 minutes before washing off.

Lemon Cinnamon Mask

  • Prep Time:4 mins
  • Cook Time:10 mins
  • Total Time:14 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1/3 tsp lemon juice

  • Step 1

    Mix ingredients. Leave on the face for 10 minutes to help fight acne and then wash off.

Taking care of your skin with homemade masks isn't just cheap and convenient — it's also fun. Try some of these masks with friends for a night in or package one in a mason jar with ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.