DIY Clay Mask – Simple, Customisable and Affordable!

This clay face mask is so simple to make, comes together in a flash and will brighten your complexion and tighten your pores without the price tag of a bought mask.

The ingredients will last for ages, so you will be masking for months! Clay masking detoxifies, gently exfoliates, reduces hyperpigmentation and redness and can be customised perfectly for every skin type. For long lasting results, we suggest clay masking on a weekly basis.

How to make your own clay mask

You will only need a handful of ingredients, most of which may already be in your pantry at home. If not, these should all be readily available at your nearby health food shop, supermarket or chemist.

What you will need:

• 1 tsp Clay Powder (Kaolin or French Green/Pink Clay)
• 2 tsp Wet Ingredients (use demineralised water OR customise the liquid portion to suit your skin needs – see some recommendations below!)
• Ceramic bowl
• Chopstick

Add the wet ingredients to a small ceramic bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients, stirring with the chopstick until smooth and creamy in consistency. Continue to add more dry ingredients until you reach the consistency you prefer. Voilà – you have yourself the perfect clay mask for a fraction of the price of a bought one.

The best bit? No preservatives are required! Just make sure you mix up a fresh batch every time you mask – without the preservative a fresh batch will last as long as your leftovers if kept in the fridge, but don’t leave longer than 2-3 days just to be safe.

How to apply

Start with a freshly cleansed face. Apply the mask with a paddle brush or your fingers to your face, neck and décolleté. If you have Keratosis Pilaris on your upper arms – apply it there too!

Once the mask has partially dried and feels tight, rinse it off. It helps to soak a washcloth in warm water, hold it up to your face, and let that re-hydrate the mask a bit before beginning to wipe it off. Make sure you follow the mask up with a juicy serum, facial oil and moisturiser to rebalance moisture levels. We recommend using once per week.

Top tips:

• Don’t let it dry fully.We want our clay mask to draw out toxins and our skin to absorb the wonderful minerals and vitamins in the mask. However, if we leave the mask on to the point it is dried completely and has started to crack, we risk the mask drawing out too much moisture from the skin. For best results leave on for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the mask. When you feel a slight tightness, but the mask is only partially dry, this is the perfect time to wash it off.
• Avoid metal bowls. Use wooden or ceramic bowls/spoons. The metal reacts with the minerals in the clay.

Customise and make this recipe your own

Now for the fun bit – you can customise this mask to suit your skin type or concern. Have a look below for some ideas. The options are endless though so try a few different ingredients and work out your perfect formula! It’s perfect for a girl’s night in. Enjoy lovelies!

Dry, sensitive skin

If you have dry skin, add a little nourishing oil to the mix – either a few drops of whatever facial oil you are using, or some of the ones listed below. I steer away from coconut oil because this is a known comedogenic ingredient (meaning it can cause breakouts) but if you don’t have any issues with using it on your skin, go ahead!

Here are some other soothing and hydrating ideas:

• ½ tsp honey – acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into your skin
• ½ tsp oil of your choice (sweet apricot kernel, argan, castor or jojoba oi) – nourishes and moisturises
• 1 tsp Aloe Vera gel/juice – soothes redness and inflammation
• 2 drops of Chamomile extract/essential oil – soothing redness and inflammation
• 2 drops of Lavender extract/essential oil – soothing redness and inflammation

Acne-prone skin

If you are prone to redness and breakouts boost the astringency and antiseptic powers of your mask by swapping out the liquid component for some or all of the following:

• 1 ½ tsp strongly brewed Green Tea
• ½ tsp Witch Hazel – added astringency and detoxifying benefits
• 2 drops of Rosemary extract/essential oil – added anti-bacterial, anti-microbial properties
• 2 drops of Chamomile extract/essential oil – soothes redness and inflammation

Oily skin

If you want to dial up the absorbency and astringency swap the Kaolin or French clay for Bentonite clay which is a bit more heavy duty. Add in a few drops of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for a brightening vitamin C kick! It may tingle a bit, but the acidity in the vinegar will counteract the basic nature of the Bentonite clay.

Bentonite clay will form more of a gel consistency than Kaolin creating a creamier version but it works perfectly to detoxify, brighten and reduce hyper-pigmentation.

• 1-2 tsp Bentonite clay
• ½ tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tsp water strongly brewed Green Tea