There are a lot of reasons you may find yourself dealing with facial redness. Certainly, bitterly cold winter weather is a major cause as is central heating. And let’s not forget sunburn. The fact is there are lots of ways to wind up with red, irritated skin on your face. And one of the best, most effective ways to deal with this condition is the face mask. No, not the kind you wear playing sports. The kind you whip up in your kitchen and apply to your face to obtain cooling, soothing relief. Below, we’ll look at the best DIY face masks for reducing redness.

Are DIY Face Masks Effective for Reducing Redness? 

DIY face masks are not just effective for reducing redness, they're also among the most effective ways for doing so. If you’re dealing with red, irritated skin, a doctor will, in all likelihood, prescribe one of the following treatments: 

• Antihistamines
• Prescription ointments
• Antibiotics (if the cause is an infection)

A DIY face mask may also be recommended to cool the skin, reduce redness, and restore moisture levels. It has been used for centuries to soothe red, irritated skin resulting from multiple causes. They’re well-recognized by the medical community as a safe and practical treatment that can bring relief without the need for expensive medications or OTC treatments. 

Best of all, they can usually be created in just a few minutes using many of the things you already have in your refrigerator.

How to Make DIY Face Masks for Reducing Redness 

The following is the basic process to follow in most cases to create and use a DIY face mask. 

• Add your dry or non-fluid ingredients together in a mixing bowl - These may include oatmeal flakes, cocoa powder, baking soda or anything else the specific recipe calls for.
• Add the base and mix - The base could be anything from yogurt to honey to coconut oil and more. Or it may be a combination of several things. Add it in and mix well until you have a pasty texture.
• Apply the paste - Some pastes will go on smoothly. Others may take a bit of coercion on your part to get them to spread but do the best you can with the paste you have.
• Let the mixture sit - In most (not all) cases, you’ll be directed to leave the mask in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the mask - Using lukewarm water, rinse the mask from your face making sure to remove all aspects of it. If necessary, use a clean, soft, wet washcloth. When the mask has been removed, splash your face with cool water. 

“The biggest difference between masks and products such as cleansers is the duration of application.” - Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD

Best 10 DIY Face Masks for Reducing Redness 

1) Green tea and apple cider vinegar - The vinegar in this recipe helps to stabilize pH levels in your skin while the green tea works to reduce redness and irritation. To make it, you’ll need the 2 main ingredients, along with dry oatmeal, honey, and plain yogurt. 

• Make a cup of green tea and mix 3 tablespoons of it with 2 teaspoons of oatmeal
• Stir and let sit for 2-3 minutes, then add a teaspoon of honey and mix
• Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar along with 2 of plain yogurt and mix to a paste
• Apply evenly to your face, let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water

2) Yogurt and oatmeal - You’ll see oatmeal mentioned a lot in face mask recipes. It’s because of its soothing abilities. With this mask, you'll need dry oatmeal, plain yogurt, and a bit of honey. 

• Mix 1/3 cup of dry oatmeal with 1/2 cup of hot water
• Stir and wait until the oatmeal has plumped up
• Add a tablespoon of honey and blend in, then add 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and mix
• Apply the resulting paste evenly and let it sit for 15 minutes
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water

3) Coconut oil and oatmeal - There goes that oatmeal again. This is an extremely simple face mask with just 2 ingredients: dry oatmeal and coconut oil. Here’s how to make it. 

• Mix 1 tablespoon of oatmeal in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• Wait a few minutes for the oatmeal to absorb some of the oil
• Make sure your face is clean and dry before applying
• Apply the mask as best you can. It's not a perfect paste, so don't expect perfection
• Leave it in place for 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water

4) Strawberry and yogurt - This mask is good for oily skin or acne-prone skin. It’s easy to make, reduces inflammation, and fights the bacteria behind acne. To make it, you’ll need some strawberries, plain yogurt, and honey. 

• Mash 1/4 cup of fresh strawberries
• Add 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and 1 of honey
• Mix until it becomes pasty
• Apply as evenly as possible (in spite of the strawberry chunks) and let sit for 15 minutes
• Wash off with lukewarm water, using a wet facecloth if necessary

5) Avocado and coconut oil - This is a very soothing, cool DIY face mask that’s great for irritated skin or dry skin that’s also peeling. You’ll need an avocado, some coconut oil, and a small amount of honey to make it. 

• Mash 1/2 an avocado as best you can and add a teaspoon of coconut oil
• Mix the two together, then add 2 tablespoons of honey and mix to a creamy paste
• Apply the paste evenly to your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes
• Wash it off using lukewarm water, helped by a washcloth, if necessary

6) Yogurt and cucumber - Yogurt does a great job cooling and softening skin and can reduce the severity of rashes. Cucumber also helps cool down your skin and also aids in moisturizing. This is another really simple mask. To make it, all you need is some mashed cucumber and half a cup of plain yogurt. 

• Mix the yogurt with 1/2 a large cucumber that’s been skinned and well mashed
• Whip the two together until it’s as smooth as you can make it
• Apply evenly to your face and let sit for 30 minutes
• Wash off using cold water and pat your face dry

7) Baking soda and cinnamon - The purpose of this mixture is to detoxify tired, dry skin. The baking soda works as an exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, while the cinnamon pulls out toxic substances. You’ll also need some milk and honey to make this mask. 

• Combine 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 of milk in a bowl
• Stir vigorously until the honey is completely dissolved
• Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• Mix until you achieve a pasty texture
• Apply evenly and leave in place for 15 minutes
• Rinse with lukewarm water

8) Papaya - It doesn’t get any simpler than this papaya face mask. Papaya is rich in vitamins and minerals and high in antioxidants. It both moisturizes and fights free radicals at the same time. It’s also good for smoothing out fine lines and has anti-inflammatory properties. All you’ll need is half a papaya. 

• Remove the fruit from the peel and take out the seeds
• Chop the papaya up and put the pieces in a blender
• Puree the pieces into a paste
• Apply it to your face and let sit for 15 minutes
• Rinse off with lukewarm water

9) Orange peel and rose water - Orange peel is good for reducing redness due to pimple outbreaks or sun exposure. To make this mask, you'll need the peels from 2 oranges and a small bottle of rose water.

• Grind the orange peels in a blender until you achieve a fine texture
• Place the ground peels in a bowl and gradually add rose water
• Mix, adding a small amount of rose water at a time until you have a paste
• Apply the paste to your face and let it sit for at least 30 minutes
• Rinse with warm water

10) Rice flour and kefir - You may have to go to the health food store to pick up these ingredients. But they’re pretty easy to find and usually affordably priced. This mask is good for exfoliating dry, irritated skin, and for removing unhealthy bacteria. 

• Place a quarter cup of kefir in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of rice flour
• Mix it well until it becomes a smooth paste
• Apply the paste evenly to your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes
• Wash it off using lukewarm water and use a clean, wet washcloth to help if needed

“These at-home treatments can be a great addition to any skincare regimen.” - Rachel Herschenfield, MD

Do DIY Face Masks Work? 

DIY face masks work well when it comes to reducing redness and relieving irritation. They’re affordable and easy to use, and you should consider using them anytime your skin seems irritated.

Best Alternatives to DIY Face Masks 

If you don’t have the time or energy to whip up your own DIY face masks, try these ready-made skin care treatments for red skin.

Silicone Fusion™ Technology by Dermaclara Beauty

These medical-grade silicone patches restore the natural pH balance and moisture levels, while at the same time reducing unsightly acne scars and blemishes. Silicone Fusion™ has undergone rigorous 3rd party testing by BioScreen, who concluded it produced significant improvement in more than 90% of women tested. 

Skin Inc. Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask 

If your skin has become dry and irritated in part due to dehydration, Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask will help bring it back from the edge. Feels cool and soothing when applied and won’t aggravate your already irritated skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid and algae extract as exfoliants.

Euphoria Mask by Joana Varas 

This skincare cream contains aloe vera and chamomile to soothe and restore moisture to dry, irritated skin. There’s also a wee bit of hyaluronic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells so new, healthy skin can emerge.

Final Verdict: Can DIY Face Masks Reduce Skin Redness? 

DIY face masks can definitely reduce skin redness and irritation. However, if you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own DIY face masks for reducing redness, we highly recommend you try Silicone Fusion™ Technology by Dermaclara. It will heal the irritation at the source and restore your skin to its natural suppleness and luster is short order.