DIY Avocado Face Mask

I have really badly clogged pores that I've been trying endlessly to find a fix for. They're not your average whitehead acne, they're more like hard waxy plugs in the pores under my skin. I've seen them described on online forums but no one knows what they are. I hate them so much because they keep irritating my skin until the plug is removed, which is sometimes quite painful, and you're technically not supposed to do that. I admit that part of the cause might be my own fault, because in trying to keep my skin clean I overscrub and dry my skin out instead.

Consequently, I've been trying to moisturize more, but I don't like the idea of putting synthetic chemicals on my face, due to a bad experience with a lotion in middle school. Plus, I hate spending money on anything that may or may not work. I've also tried using plain olive oil, but I absolutely cannot stand the feel of lingering grease on my face. I saw this face mask used in a Youtube video, so I thought I might try to make my own, as DIY is right up my alley. It's straightforward and easy to make, which I like, and it strikes a happy medium between non-chemical and non-greasy. Here is the recipe:

• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mash up avocado in a small bowl. Combine other ingredients one at a time in order listed. Mix well after adding each ingredient. To use, simply spread mixture on hand and massage into face. Leave on for 10-20 mins and rinse off with warm water.

This recipe makes way more than one use, so I chose to transfer it into a jam jar and store it in the refrigerator for future use, rather than throwing it out. It's a bit runny and honestly does not look very glamorous, but it seems to be working as expected. It's not a miracle cure, and it's certainly going to take some time before I see any results, but I'm feeling good about it so far. ◊