7 DIY Face Masks You Can Make From Thanksgiving Leftovers

Homemade face masks using Thanksgiving leftovers

Got a ton of leftovers from Turkey Day? This year, why not get more creative with them? Thanksgiving isn’t just about the feast; it’s also a time for relaxation and self-care. After all that cooking and hosting, why not treat yourself to a little pampering? You can actually turn many Thanksgiving foods into ultra-luxurious face masks that pamper and refresh your skin! From the hydrating properties of sweet potatoes to the soothing benefits of yogurt and green beans, your holiday leftovers can become the perfect skincare ingredients. Not only will you be repurposing food that might otherwise go to waste, but you’ll also be giving your skin the nourishment it craves during the dry winter months. Here are seven super easy recipes to make that will leave your skin glowing and revitalized!

1. Moisturizing sweet potato ginger mask

Sweet potatoes are delicious and great for your skin, too! Jam-packed with nutrients, this sweet potato mask is both soothing and hydrating. The ginger also encourages circulation, energizing the skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 peeled, boiled sweet potato, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut milk

Directions:

Boil the sweet potato until it falls apart easily, and strain out the water
Place all ingredients in a blender until the consistency is smooth
Apply the mask to a freshly washed face
Leave the mask on for 15-to-20 minutes
Rinse well using warm water

2. Nourishing pear and honey mask

You can wear this yummy pear and honey mask as you finish the last bit of that pear tart you baked for Thanksgiving dessert. Pear acts as a gentle exfoliant and provides the skin with much-needed antioxidants. Honey helps skin retain moisture.

Ingredients:

1 pear, peeled and chopped into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon yogurt

Directions:

Mix ingredients in a bowl using a fork, mashing up the pear
Let infuse for an hour
Apply the mask to a clean face
Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water

3. Brightening cranberry and clay mask

Cranberries are not just a quintessential Thanksgiving food. They’re also great for the skin. Cranberries are filled with B vitamins and antioxidants, which means they are a powerful shield against pollutants. The vitamin C found in cranberries brightens dull winter skin, too.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 teaspoon Rhassoul clay
1 teaspoon Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup water

Directions:

Blend the cranberries using a food processor
In a bowl, combine the blended cranberries, clay, yogurt, and honey
Mix in water until you reach the desired consistency
Apply the mask to a freshly cleansed face
Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water

4. Soothing pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg mask

This face mask smells just like pumpkin pie! Pumpkin is filled with antioxidants that hydrate the skin, fight acne, and protect against free radicals. Nutmeg is anti-inflammatory, which reduces pores’ appearance, and cinnamon is antiseptic, helping to cleanse pores.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Combine pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a bowl
Then add the honey and olive oil
Blend all the ingredients together
Apply the mask to a clean face
Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse with water

5. Rejuvenating spinach and almond oil mask

Have tons of leftover fresh greens from making creamed spinach or your favorite fall salad? Spinach actually makes for a great face mask! It’s loaded with vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and K, magnesium, and manganese, all of which unclog pores, heal blemishes, protect against free radicals, and brighten the skin. Honey and almond oil help to seal in moisture.

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh spinach
2 tablespoons raw honey
1/2 tablespoon almond oil

Directions:

Chop and place spinach in a blender
Blend spinach until it forms a thick paste
Transfer to a bowl and add raw honey and almond oil
Mix well and refrigerate for 15 minutes
Apply the mask to freshly cleansed skin
Leave it on for 30 minutes until it dries
Rinse with warm water

6. Exfoliating apple oatmeal mask

After indulging in apple pie, don’t throw away those apple scraps. Apples are rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, which help to refine and rejuvenate the skin, and oats are not just for breakfast—they’re a fantastic gentle exfoliant for sensitive skin. This mask will slough off dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion underneath.

Ingredients:

1 apple, peeled and cored
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

Grate the apple or blend in a food processor until it is a pulpy consistency.
Mix in the rolled oats, honey, and lemon juice until well combined.
Apply the mask to your clean face in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate.
Leave on for 10 minutes.
Rinse off with cool water and pat dry.

7. Revitalizing green bean and yogurt mask

If you’ve got leftover green beans from your holiday feast, they can be repurposed into a skin-boosting treat. Green beans are a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, which are excellent for skin health and repair. Combined with the soothing properties of yogurt, this mask can help tone and revitalize your skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cooked green beans
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon honey

Directions:

Puree the green beans in a blender until they form a smooth paste.
Transfer the pureed green beans into a bowl and add the Greek yogurt, aloe vera gel, and honey.
Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
Apply the mask to a clean face, spreading it evenly.
Leave on for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the nutrients to soak into your skin.
Rinse off with cool water and gently pat your face dry.

Treat your skin to a Thanksgiving feast

Treat your skin to a Thanksgiving feast! These delicious, nutrient-packed face masks are a fantastic way to utilize your holiday leftovers while indulging in some much-needed self-care. Not only will they help nourish and rejuvenate your skin, but they also allow you to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving by reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Pair these masks with a solid skincare routine consisting of high-quality sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, and a moisturizer formulated with peptides and ceramides for optimal results. Remember, healthy skin starts from within, and what better way to celebrate the season than by treating yourself? Check out LaserAway Beauty to learn more about dermatologist-tested and developed top-of-the-line skincare products that can complement your newfound at-home spa experience. Enjoy your leftover-inspired skincare ritual and relish in the glow of self-care this holiday season!