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.
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
- First, make the Pre-Mix – which is basically just all the dry ingredients.
- Do this by carefully popping open the Activated Charcoal Capsules + emptying them into the jar.
- Measure out + add in the Kaolin Clay.
- Put the lid on the jar + shake it until it looks evenly mixed.
- When you’re ready to Mask, prep all the wet ingredients first, then add-in the Pre-Mix.
- Start with the warm water, then stir in the honey until it dissolves.
- Next, add the ACV + Essential Oils, + Stir.
- Then, add the Pre-Mix slowly while stirring + combine until smooth.
- Finally, you’re all ready to apply.
- Apply the mask to clean, damp skin. I like to exfoliate first with a really great scrub like this one, or this one.
- Leave it on for about 10 – 15 minutes, or you can use it in the shower like I do.
- When you’re ready to remove it, pat your face + gently massage with warm water.
- Run an old Washcloth under Warm Water + wring it out, then place on your face + let it sit there for a minute or so.
- Wipe everything off + repeat until clean.
- Give your face a thorough Rinse + gently pat dry.
- Moisturize with something like this or one of these, + you’re done!
- 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!
1 Comment
RoyalAesthetic
March 25, 2020 at 1:44 amThis is amazing. Imagine honey, apple cider vinegar and charcoal combined together?. The result would be fascinating. I would love to try this. Thanks for the recommendations.