Expensive packaging and innovative formula do not always mean better results for your skin. Sometimes all it needs is a good homemade mask your countryside granny used to apply on her face regularly (and she still looks young and beautiful). I am a huge fan of inelaborate facials, which are easily recreated at home and done in a few minutes. Chop this, whisk with that, apply on the skin, and voilà - it is refreshed, brightened, and toned up! Doesn't it sound amazing?
Together with a minimalist approach to my lifestyle, smart consumption, and new wardrobe challenges, I've decided to give myself one more objective to follow, a skincare objective. I can't brag about my fancy skincare routine and a substantial arsenal of an assemblage of fancy skincare products. You'll be surprised, but I even plan to significantly reduce it, keeping only high-quality treats for my skin that actually work. DIY face masks made of good ingredients always hold a special place in my heart (and fridge), therefore, I'm going to concentrate all of my forces on this side of the skincare shore.
Keep Your Ingredients Fresh
Of course, when you DIY your skincare products one of the most important factors is fresh ingredients, purchased from trusted vendors or grown in your own garden. Unfortunately, not everyone has an opportunity to do this, especially citizens of lively megalopolises, so we often have to skip this step. But, luckily, most of us have access to natural mineral and plant-based DIY skincare recipes. For example, a few days ago I stumbled upon a green clay powder, sold in my local supermarket, and right at that moment, I knew I'm going to craft a lot of face care recipes with this simple and underrated skincare ingredient.
What is Green Clay?
Green clay is usually gathered in mines all over southern France and later sun-dried more than once to remove the excess amount of water from the final product. It mostly consists of various minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and many others. The seaweed-green coloring of French clay comes from iron oxidation and decomposed aquatic plants. French clay's shade diversifies from bright yellow-green to dusty-gray swamp green, depending on the region and the quality of the primary substance.
How to DIY French Clay Face Mask with Powder?
Natural green clay is widely used in modern skin and hair care treatments. There are thousands of simple recipes that you can recreate in no time for fast at-home pampering. My personal skin concerns are enlarged pores (especially in summer) and blackheads. Apparently, these two buddies always come together no matter what I use on my skin! So today we are going to focus primarily on green clay recipes, which help to deep-clean skin impurities and remove all the dead cells and dirt.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of green clay powder;
- 1 teaspoon of rose water;
Instructions:
- Combine green clay powder with rose water.
- Stir the ingredients together to receive smooth, cream-like consistency.
- If needed, add more rose water for smoother texture.
- Apply the mixture on your nose, nasolabial folds, cheeks and chin, evenly spreading it on the skin.
- Allow the green clay mask to dry slightly, but not completely.
- Wash the mask off the skin with fresh water and gently pat it dry with a soft waffle towel.
Right after the French clay treatment moisturize your skin with your favorite face serum or lightweight moisturizer. If you don't have rose water at your disposal, you can always substitute it with regular clean water or any other cosmetic water: lavender, chamomile or purified. While French green clay will be drawing out the oil build-up and dirt, cosmetic water will act as a soothing and calming agent.
French Clay Mask for Oily Skin
Do you have an oily and combination skin type? Welcome on board, because you won't find a better and more affordable oily skin remedy than a green clay mask. You may want to strengthen the previous recipe with a few extra ingredients that will help you to combat skin oiliness. Charge your green clay mask with a few drops of tea tree oil — this magical oil will reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of green clay powder;
- 1 drop of natural tea tree oil;
- 1 teaspoon of purified water;
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients together and stir until mixed well;
- Apply the mask on oily parts of the face (t-zone, chin) and spread on the skin.
- Allow the treatment to slightly dry and remove with water.
- Lightly moisturize the face and you're done.
Glowing, Soothed & Refreshed Skin
As a result, after regular usage of a purifying green clay mask, you'll get refreshed, cleaned, and glowing from inside the skin. Although a green clay mask almost has no contraindications for use, it is best to apply it only once a week. Clay masks are known for their skin-drying abilities. Misusing the clay mask skin and hair treatments can lead to overall dryness and irritations.
Keep all the ingredients for your at-home skincare recipes in a dry, well-ventilated, and dark place. The better the quality of your ingredients, the more beneficial elements, and minerals will be derived into your skin. Do not use metal spoons or dishes, when preparing your homemade masks, as they may decrease the quality of your natural ingredients.
Lots of love,
Liz
