It’s almost summertime! And that means sunshine, vacations, and a whole delicious slew of in-season fruits and vegetables.

The cool thing about summer fruits, though, is that they aren’t just good for eating. They’re full of vitamins and antioxidants for inside your body, but they’re good for your skin, too. So if those strawberries have been sitting in the fridge just a little too long – never fear! Overripe fruit are prime for rejuvenating facials.

You can, of course, go to the spa – top spas use fruits in expensive and rejuvenating treatments – but the spa is a luxury for which most of us just don’t have the time.

Below are a few quick, easy DIY recipes for delicious and healthy face masks. Happy summer!

Strawberries (Purifying)
Strawberries contain natural salicylic acid, which can gently exfoliate and remove impurities and dead skin cells – this makes pores seem smaller and your complexion clearer. Strawberries also have a small bleaching effect for healing blemishes, and antioxidants for repairing damage and fight signs of aging.

• Puree ½ cup ripe strawberries with ¼ cup cornstarch
• Apply mixture to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water

Peaches (Tightening)
The alpha hydroxy acids in peaches, or AHA, help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, as well as reducing wrinkles and age spots. Plus, peaches have A and C vitamins, which nourish and brighten the skin.

• Mash 1 pitted and peeled peach with 1 tbsp. honey and enough oatmeal to form a thick paste
• Apply mixture to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water

Avocados (Moisturizing)
The avocado is rich with vitamins A, B, D, and E as well as potassium. Because of this, avocado’s nourishing and beneficial  contents enter skin evenly and quickly, and therefore is great for moisturizing and diminishing lines and wrinkles.

• Mash 1 avocado with 1 organic egg yolk
• Apply mixture to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly

Berries (Radiance)
Berries like blueberries and blackberries are full of purifying antioxidants. The vitamin C and natural enzymes in berries help brighten skin, while honey, a mild antiseptic, exfoliates, promotes tissue growth, and seals in moisture.

• Combine 2 tbsp. plain yogurt with 2 tbsp. honey
• Add ¼ cup mixed berries, puree until smooth, then add 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• Apply mixture to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water

Bananas (Rejuvenating)
Bananas have many of the same benefits as avocados, but without the oils – they’re better, therefore, for oily or combination skin. Bananas nourish the skin while the antioxidants purify.

• Mash ½ ripe banana with 2 tbsp. honey and 2 tbsp. orange or lemon juice
• Apply mixture to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly

Cucumber (Soothing)
Cucumbers are full of ascorbic and caffeic acids, which prevent water retention and reduce inflammation. Plus, the silica content aids in overall skin health, and its high water content is a natural moisturizer.

• Peel a cucumber and run it through a blender or food processor, then pour the pulp into a colander and catch the cucumber liquid
• Add ½ tsp. lemon juice and 1 tsp. witch hazel to cucumber  liquid ; stir gently and add 1 beaten and fluffy egg white
• Apply to skin (except the eyes)
• Wait 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse thoroughly

Enjoy these amazing DIY summer facial recipes! Do you have any special facial masks you use and enjoy? Please share below, we would love to hear from you!

For more great, at-home spa treatments, visit our online store!

Guest blog written by Jenna E. Dutton, BA English Literature, English Communications