DIY Beauty | Manuka Honey & Charcoal Mask

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a DIY, but I’ve been playing around with a few recipes recently – and, this is one of must-haves for inflamed, super-sensitive skin! So, I thought I’d share it. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that recently – I’ve been on an absolute warpath to detox all the residual chemical crap that my body’s been holding on to from my last 5 surgeries (in the last 3 years). My body has been through a lot + I’m convinced… it’s coming out through my pores at this point… especially around my nose + my mouth. So, while I can’t make any claims, I’ll just leave this recipe right here for you to check out for yourself. 😉

In the past few months, I’ve really relied on this mask a lot (sometimes several times a week!), + so, before I even finish a jar now – I’ve been making the next one so I don’t run out!

Benefits

Manuka Honey – No matter what kind of mask I’m making, I pretty much always add Wedderspoon Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey is loaded with live, active enzymes that oxygenate your pores, help kill bacteria + reduce redness, + dark spots, as well as being a humectant. It also helps keep the masks pliable, + stops them from cracking. I personally prefer their KFactor 16, Monofloral Manuka, but really love any of their honeys if I’m being honest. Aside from that it’s… Raw + Unpasteurized, Non-GMO Verified, Free of any Antibiotics, Glyphosate + Pesticides, Traceable from Hive to Home, Produced + Packed in New Zealand. Get more info about Wedderspoon Manuka Honey here.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Another ingredient I often like to use, especially with my Clay Masks is… ACV. So, I was totally over the moon when I heard about Wedderspoon’s Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with Manuka Honey! It helps smooth out the clay when mixing, but more importantly, helps balance your skin’s pH, also kills bacteria + reduces inflammation. In addition to using this in my masks, I’ve also used it as a tea when I’m not feeling well (2 Tbsps of ACV, 1 Tbsp of Manuka Honey, Dash of Ginger + Dash of Cinnamon), or I drink it in Warm Water first thing in the morning. FYI: You can also use it as a Facial Toner too, BTW, if you dilute it with water (50/50 mix).

Kaolin Clay – I love, love, love Kaolin Clay for making masks! It’s delicate + gentle for even the most sensitive skin, + because it’s a super-light, fine powder – it mixes really well into a smooth + creamy consistency almost every time.

Activated Charcoal – a must-have that I’ve been using in my daily routine, in one way or another for awhile now. It’s usually made from coconut shells + it’s porous texture attracts dirt, chemicals + toxins, draws them out.

Tea Tree Essential Oil – one of my favorite + one of the most useful essential oils, in my opinion. It has cleansing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, + antifungal properties, + is especially useful for skin issues like acne.

Lavender Essential Oil – another one of my faves, especially when I really need help calming my skin, or reducing scars. It’s soothing, balancing, + I’ve found it works especially well in combination with Tea Tree Oil for acne or irritation.

Lemongrass Essential Oil – Lemongrass is sort of a new staple in my regimen, mainly for it’s purifying, anti-fungal + antibacterial properties. I’ve found this works well in combo with Tea Tree for me, when I have irritated skin.

Ingredients + Supplies

Pre-Mix…

• 3 Tbsp. Kaolin Clay Powder
• 6 Activated Charcoal Capsules
• Small Glass Jar with Plastic Lid – 2 oz.

When You’re Ready to Mask…

• 2 Tsps. Warm Water
• 1/2 Tsp. Wedderspoon Apple Cider Vinegar with Manuka Honey
• 1/2 Tsp. Wedderspoon Manuka Honey
• 1 Drop of either Organic Tea Tree Oil OR 1 Drop of Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil
• 1 Drop of Organic Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 Tbsps. Pre-Mixed Dry Mask
• A Masking Brush + Bowl
• An Old Towel + Washcloth

Mixing Instructions

1. First, make the Pre-Mix – which is basically just all the dry ingredients.
2. Do this by carefully popping open the Activated Charcoal Capsules + emptying them into the jar.
3. Measure out + add in the Kaolin Clay.
4. Put the lid on the jar + shake it until it looks evenly mixed.
5. When you’re ready to Mask, prep all the wet ingredients first, then add-in the Pre-Mix.
6. Start with the warm water, then stir in the honey until it dissolves.
7. Next, add the ACV + Essential Oils, + Stir.
8. Then, add the Pre-Mix slowly while stirring + combine until smooth.
9. Finally, you’re all ready to apply.

To Use

1. Apply the mask to clean, damp skin. I like to exfoliate first with a really great scrub like this one, or this one.
2. Leave it on for about 10 – 15 minutes, or you can use it in the shower like I do.
3. When you’re ready to remove it, pat your face + gently massage with warm water.
4. Run an old Washcloth under Warm Water + wring it out, then place on your face + let it sit there for a minute or so.
5. Wipe everything off + repeat until clean.
6. Give your face a thorough Rinse + gently pat dry.
7. Moisturize with something like this or one of these, + you’re done!

Tips + Tricks

• I usually get almost all of my DIY Supplies from Amazon if I can.
• I often save + clean out some of my old empty beauty jars to use for this purpose rather than buying something new. Just make sure it has a plastic lid so it doesn’t interact with the charge of the clay.
• You can really use any combo you feel comfortable with of these essential oils. The only thing is that I feel that 3 drops (1 of each) is way too much essential oil for your face in one little bit of mask. So… play around with the combos + see what works best for your skin!
• If you find it’s drying out too much, or too quickly, add more Wedderspoon Manuka Honey to keep it pliable.
• Use an old towel or wash cloth that you don’t care about, because the Charcoal can stain!
• I always use a Masking Brush + Masking Bowl for all my facials. It just turns it into a little Ritual, + I love that about Masking. These are some of my Faves! Pictured though, is the Laurel Mask Brush + Bowl Set. I love it because it’s so tiny + easy to use.
• Also – if your skin is super-sensitive + dehydrated, you might want to try some water-based lotions / moisturizers as opposed to oil-based. I’ve found my skin is doing much betting since switching back over to lotions like the ones I mentioned above!

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