Skin needs rescuing in an emergency? This DIY face mask will do the trick. EVERY single time.

Three months, 18 cities across five countries, a gazillion flutes of Champagne, double-gazillion shots of rum and vodka, my body weight (or more!) in cakes and sweets, super-rich cauldrons of scrumptiously evil meals… it’s been a blissfully awesome stretch of wedding-hopping all the way from Los Angeles to Germany to Italy to Paris, and more!

At least, it’s been blissfully awesome for me. My skin… not so much. Lack of nutrition, lack of sleep, total dehydration, overkill of junk-y food and sugar and alcohol and pore-smothering makeup means that everything is clogged, dry, rough and lifeless.

Cue: acne, puffiness, dullness and patchiness.

Thankfully, the bridal aesthetician in Italy’s Positano clued me into this fabulous complexion-recovery face mask that deep cleanses, soothes, purifies and de-pigments the skin in one quick stroke.

The recipe is 2,000-years-old and comes from the ancient Romans, who have been using peas for skincare since the 8th century BC.

After trying it this morning, I won’t say the pea-based face mask erased every sign of decadent living in 15 minutes but my skin is definitely looking fresh, glow-y and smooth. And the zits have subsided quite magnificently as well.

So, let the partying begin once again!

You will need

How-to

Mash or puree the peas, then add the remaining ingredients; stir well till you get a thick paste.

Apply a generous layer of this paste on clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with plain water.

Why it works

Peas contain hefty doses of Pisum sativum (known as pea extract), which is a potent source of skin-boosting antioxidants, amino acids, minerals and proteins. It also deep cleanses, strengthens the skin’s barrier and increases hydration levels, thereby protecting the complexion and making it appear more glow-y.

And even that’s not all: Peas are a superb source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and zinc, which counter inflammation and free radical damage to keep everything smooth, springy and acne-free.

Add in the beauty benefits of mustard and yogurt… and it’s time to glow flawlessly!

Have you ever used a skincare product or recipe based on peas? Which one?