web exclusive

Cooking Up Great Skin — from Home!

Portrait of beautiful woman with blue cream mask on her face.

“Quarantine cooking” is quickly finding Houstonians digging in their pantry and searching the internet for clever recipes that utilize pantry staples and obscure produce (hey, why not snag a papaya along with those bunches of bananas and the very last not-rotten apple?).

But Face Haus, a national skincare outfit opening a Houston location in Rice Village soon, has a few suggestions for refreshing ways to make the most of your precious ingredients — and give yourself a moment or two of zen, while you’re at it.

Its expert estheticians share recipes for DIY face masks below! Mix the following ingredients, gently massage into clean, dry skin and leave for 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing with warm water.

Best for Dry Skin: Avocado

  1. One mashed avocado (rich in omega fatty acids that repair the skin’s protective barrier)
  2. 1 tablespoon olive oil (offers similar benefits)
  3. 2 tablespoons plain whole-milk yogurt (rich in probiotics and has a soothing and cooling effect)
  4. 1 tablespoon honey (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)

Best for Dull Skin: Papaya

  1. ½ cup mashed papaya (rich in papain enzyme, a gentle exfoliant)
  2. 1 teaspoon honey  (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)
  3. 1 whipped egg white (firms skin and binds the mask)

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Banana

  1. 1 mashed banana (rich in vitamin A, which promotes cell turnover)
  2. ½ teaspoon baking soda (absorbs excess oil)
  3. ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory)

Best for Rough Skin: Cucumber

  1. ½ cucumber, pureed (cooling, soothing and hydrating)
  2. ¼ cup milk (rich in lactic acid, which exfoliates and firms)
  3. 1 tablespoon honey (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)
  4. 1 tablespoon brown sugar (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)

Best for Sensitive Skin: Yogurt

  1. 1 tablespoon plain whole-milk yogurt (rich in probiotics and has a soothing and cooling effect)
  2. 1 teaspoon honey  (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)
  3. 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (rich in flavonoids, which calm, protect and soothe skin)

Best for Oily Skin: Oatmeal

  1. ½ cup cooked and cooled oatmeal (hydrating, soothing, cleansing and anti-inflammatory)
  2. 1 egg (the yolk is rich in fatty acids and the whites are rich in a firming protein called albumin)
  3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice (citric acid stimulates cell turnover and brightens complexion)

Best for Hands that Have Been Washed to Death: Yogurt and Oats

  1. 2 tablespoons oats (full of antioxidants, lipids and beta-glucans that moisturize and soothe)
  2. 1 tablespoon honey (rich in polysaccharides, which bind water to the skin)
  3. 1-2 tablespoons of Green yogurt (naturally probiotic and gently exfoliating)
Dispatches
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

Symphony Springs to Life with Floral-Fabulous Fete

Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties
food

The Truffle Masters Returns — with a New Competition — Benefitting Southern Smoke

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Keep Reading Show less