If you’re like us, two things are top of mind right now: just how hot the dog days of summer really are and the ever-present need for skincare that stands up to said heat. To cool down our complexion, Arlene Lamba, founder and medical director of Blush Skincare in Washington, D.C., has a solution straight out of your kitchen.
Facial popsicles are the swoon-worthy summer skincare treatments first debuted as part of Blush Skincare’s SkinFit facial membership program, which changes its offerings based on the time of year. “The environment is our inspiration,” Lamba, who actually started out as an anesthesiologist and turned to a career in skincare after struggling with cystic acne, says. “[In the warmer months,] we know that increased skin temperature leads to increased sebum production, which clogs pores and leads to more breakouts. When you add humidity into the mix, it makes the whole equation worse. We wanted to create a skin treatment that combats the negative effects of heat and humidity on skin with ingredients that protect and restore the skin’s outer layer, while also bringing skin temperature down. From there the skin popsicles were born!”
While these popsicles aren’t for eating, they still feature some of our favorite fruits to help bring balance to our skin. Whether you’re experiencing dry, tired skin, puffy inflammation, or are simply in need of a cooling detox, the antioxidant-rich pops — all of which are made with no more than three store-bought ingredients — will give you the calming relief you crave. And since each refreshing facial treatment is made with fresh ingredients, you can skip the trip to the store and head straight to your kitchen to craft your own skin care. You’ll need a popsicle mold and a little patience, as these DIY facials take 30 minutes to set. Get the full rundown below.
Watermelon Lemonade: Combine 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/4 cup fresh watermelon juice to hydrate and energize tired dry skin. Lemon juice will naturally exfoliate away dead skin cells while the watermelon and honey will rehydrate.
It’s Chill: Combine equal parts cucumber water with aloe water water in a popsicle mold to calm puffy and inflamed acne-prone skin. Lamba explains that the anti-inflammatory properties in aloe work to soothe the redness caused by acne and eczema while the cucumber, which is rich in vitamin C and caffeic acid, binds hydration to the skin and reduces puffiness.
De-Puff: A fun twist on the classic cucumber on your eyes at the spa ritual. Combine 1/4 cup cucumber water with two crushed vitamin E tablets and 1/4 cup liquid collagen (or 1 tablespoon powdered collagen) for a hydration-boosting facial popsicle to fight under eye puffiness. “Aloe is ultra hydrating and anti-inflammatory, and vitamin E works to restore skin’s capillary wall, which increases skin’s moisture and elasticity,” Lamba explains.
Matcha Latte: The hottest coffee shop trend is also the next big skincare power player. “Matcha is rich in chlorophyll, which detoxifies the skin, and antioxidants that fight free radicals and restore the cells that make up your skin’s protective outer layer,” she says. Simply combine 1 1/2 tablespoons of matcha powder with a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to purify and a 2 tablespoons of rose water to brighten.
To get the most out of your DIY experience, Lamba recommends using these popsicles on clean skin and to not linger too long in one area. “Just use light strokes up and out, away from the face,” she says. Once you’ve finished your DIY *treat-ment*, follow with a light moisturizer and — of course — SPF.
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Illustrations by Rebecca Fong
