How to Make a Clay Face Mask

Clay has been used as a skin purifier for many years. Many spas incorporate clay masks into their menus of spa services, as well as entire body clay masks, or foot masks to restore moisture to dry feet. If you want to treat yourself to a spa facial and detoxify your skin, but don't want to pay the high cost, create your own mask and enjoy a spa day in your own home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Green clay
• Cornflower
• Airtight jar
• Water
• Almond oil
• Carrot oil
• Egg yolk
• Essential oils

1. Create the clay base. Mix 2 ounces of green clay powder with 3 teaspoons of Cornflower in an airtight jar. Mix more than this if you want to have extra clay base on hand.

2. Decide which type of mask you want to make. You can make a basic formula, which is good for normal skin, as well as normal to dry, or normal to oily skin. There is a dry skin mask you can create, as well as an oily skin mask. The ingredients you need depend on the type of mask you choose to create. If you want to make a basic formula mask, go to Step 3. For a dry skin mask, go to Step 4, and for an oily skin mask, go to Step 5.

3. Mix 1 tablespoon of the clay base you created in Step 1 with the yoke from 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl until the consistency is like thick mud. Thicken or thin the mask by adding more clay base or more water as needed. Add a drop or two of Geranium essential oil for fragrance and added moisture, if desired. Go to Step 6.

4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the clay base with an egg yoke, 2 teaspoons of water, a drop of carrot oil, and 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl until you have a thickened, but spreadable consistency. If desired, add a couple drops of chamomile essential oil to the mask for fragrance and moisturization of the face. Go to Step 6.

5. Mix 1 tablespoon of the clay base with 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of brewers yeast. Mix the ingredients together to achieve a thickened, yet spreadable consistency. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to soothe the skin, or a drop of tea tree oil to combat blemishes of the skin. This mask does not smell very good, so adding essential oil is recommended.

6. Apply a substantial amount of the mask to the face by placing globs on the forehead, apples of the cheeks, nose and chin. Gently smear the mask onto your face, working from the nose outward, avoiding the eyes and mouth.

7. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash the mask from your face using lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to add a little more clay base or water to the mixture to get the right consistency. You want the mask to be thick, but still spreadable.
• Be careful not to get any of the clay mask in your eyes or mouth. It could cause irritation in the eyes, and ingesting the mask could make you ill.