One of the (many) symptoms of diabetes is most visible on the skin. Diabetics tend to have dry, itchy skin and have to combat infections more frequently than non-diabetics. This problem can be due to a list of factors, but poor circulation and abnormal glucose levels appear to be two of the main reasons. While you are undoubtedly working hard on managing your glycemia and eating a healthy diet to prevent cracked skin, you can also help soothe it from the outside.
I have put together all of my favorite homemade face masks that leave my skin soft and moisturized for days. Feel free to use these DIY beauty masks anywhere on your skin that could benefit deep moisturizing.
Here are 9 different ways to nourish your skin with the help of ingredients you likely have at home!
For the DIY masks, mash and mix the ingredients in a bowl. Let it sit on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove with a warm, damp washcloth. Moisturize with your favorite oil. (Personally, I like squalane.)
#1. Banana/Yogurt/Raw Honey
The banana locks in moisture while the lactic acid in the yogurt eats away dead skin. Raw honey is a natural anti-bacterial moisturizer that helps to keep your skin free from infection and dehydration.
Ingredients
- ½ banana, mashed
- 2 tablespoons all natural yogurt
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#2. Coconut Oil/Coffee Grinds
Coconut oil is an incredible moisturizer with medium chain fatty acids that can help repair your skin while also killing off harmful bacteria. The coffee grinds slough off dead skin while the caffeine draws blood to the surface to feed the new skin and repair any damages.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons coffee grinds (from your morning coffee!)
#3. Raw Honey/Lime
Raw honey locks in moisture and kills bacteria. The lime juice disinfects the skin and evens the skin tone. Careful, though: don’t do this before heading out into the sun.
Ingredients
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#4. Cinnamon/Raw Honey
This scrub makes your skin tingle because of the active ingredients in the cinnamon. It exfoliates and draws fresh blood to the surface of the skin, allowing the honey to heal and moisturize.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#5. Strawberry/Raw Honey/Coconut Oil/Brown Sugar
Strawberries contain alpha hydroxy acid, a compound that naturally exfoliates the skin without the rough texture generally found in store-bought products. Honey wipes off bacteria and deeply moisturizes the skin along with coconut oil.
- 3-4 strawberries, mashed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#6. Spirulina/Lemon/Banana
Spirulina is an anti-bacterial plant-based product that is loaded with antioxidants. This algae powder fuels the skin with the resources it needs to combat environmental stressors for fewer wrinkles and a brighter glow. The lemon brightens and evens the skin tone while the banana provides deep hydration. Do this at night, though, so that you are not exposed to the sun in the following hours.
- ½ banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon spirulina powder
- ½ lemon, juiced
#7. Charcoal/Raw Honey
Charcoal is known for absorbing toxins and impurities. This ingredient combined with honey pulls out damaging impurities, gets rid of bacteria, and moisturizes the deep layers of the skin.
- ½ tablespoon charcoal powder
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#8. Turmeric/Ground Oats/Yogurt/Raw Honey
Turmeric is a natural, anti-inflammatory exfoliant. This spice is helpful for inflamed skin, such as rashes or acne, and can help soothe sensitive skin. Combined with the oats, yogurt, and honey, you are definitely in for a treat afterward.
- 2 tablespoons all natural yogurt
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground oats
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
#9. Avocado/Raw Honey/Banana
This deep hydrating mask combines three of the most moisturizing ingredients: honey, banana, and avocado. If you suffer from crusty, cracked skin, this DIY beauty essential has your name spelled all over it.
- ½ banana, mashed
- ¼ avocado, mashed
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
Give these masks a try and let us know which one is your favorite! You can try mixing and matching depending on your skin’s condition and response. Get creative!
[expand title=”References“]
American Diabetes Association. URL Link. Accessed February 21, 2017.
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