clay mask for men

DIY LAVENDER CLAY FACE MASK

Clay masks are often tailored for oily skin due to their oil-absorbing properties, but this Lavender Clay Face Mask is specially designed for dry and sensitive skin. Despite the ingredient list, it’s surprisingly simple to create! The process of blending clay, water, and oil into a luxurious mask is both satisfying and rewarding.

This recipe features a rich combination of argan and avocado oils to deeply moisturize the skin. Argan oil, celebrated for its nourishing qualities, is packed with vitamins A and E. To achieve its smooth, creamy, lotion-like texture, the oils and distilled water are combined with Polawax Emulsifying Wax and BTMS-50 Conditioning Wax. These emulsifiers ensure a stable blend, preventing the oil and water from separating.

INGREDIENTS

  • Four 8 oz. Short Bail Jars
  • 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
  • 1 oz. Argan Oil
  • 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
  • 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
  • 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Wax
  • 3.5 oz. Kaolin Clay
  • 1 oz. Purple Brazilian Clay
  • 2 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
  • 0.5 oz. Evening Primrose Extract
  • 0.2 oz. Optiphen

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare Equipment: Disinfect all utensils, including mixing containers, a stick blender, spoons, and spatulas, by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and letting them dry. This step ensures your tools are free from bacteria and microbes, creating a safe environment for your mask.

Prepare the Clays: Measure 3.5 oz. of kaolin clay and 1 oz. of purple Brazilian clay. You can combine them in one container or keep them separate for individual addition later.

Heat the Oils and Waxes: In a heat-safe container, combine avocado oil, argan oil, Polawax, and BTMS-50. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-60 second bursts until the waxes are fully melted. Handle carefully, as the container will be hot. Set aside.

Heat the Water: In a separate large container, heat the distilled water to 160-170°F using a microwave or stovetop. Recheck the water volume after heating, as some may evaporate, and top it up to ensure you have exactly 21.4 oz.

Combine Water and Oils: Ensure the oil and wax mixture and the heated water are between 160-180°F. If the oils have cooled, reheat them. Place the stick blender into the water and burp it to release air bubbles. Pour the melted oil mixture into the water, scraping the container to include all ingredients. Pulse the stick blender until the mixture turns milky, indicating emulsification. Blend for about a minute.

Add the Clays: Gradually add spoonfuls of kaolin clay (or the kaolin and purple Brazilian clay mix), pulsing the stick blender after each addition. Continue until all the clay is fully incorporated. Blend for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the container to ensure an even mix.

Cool and Add Preservatives: Once the mixture cools to 130-140°F, add the Optiphen, Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil, and evening primrose extract. Stick blend thoroughly, remembering to burp the blender, until all ingredients are well mixed.

Final Blend: If not yet added, incorporate the purple Brazilian clay and blend until the texture is smooth and uniform. Continue blending for a few more minutes to ensure full emulsification.

Fill and Cool: Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If bubbles form on the surface, spritz with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Leave the jars uncovered to cool for several hours, allowing the mask to set into a thick, lotion-like consistency. A slight skin may form on the surface as it dries.

USAGE INSTRUCTIONS

Apply a medium layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Washing afterward is optional. For dry skin, limit use to once per week.

DIY SEAWEED & CUCUMBER FACE MASK

Face masks are a fun and effective way to pamper your skin, and this Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask is packed with skin-loving ingredients that work for a variety of skin types. The mask is made by emulsifying oils with water and adding a blend of dry ingredients like sea clay and spirulina powder.

The oils used in this mask were selected for their light texture and nourishing properties. Cucumber seed oil is a fantastic moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin, while the seaweed extract is infused in fractionated coconut oil, which is also light and hydrating. Together, they leave your skin feeling refreshed, moisturized, and non-greasy.

This seaweed extract is part of the new Seascape Collection, which includes an array of fragrance oils, exfoliants, powders, and more.

The combination of kaolin clay and sea clay creates a thick yet spreadable texture that isn’t overly drying, making this mask perfect for normal to combination skin. If you have dry skin, you can reduce the amount of clay, similar to the DIY Lavender Clay Face Mask, while those with oily skin might benefit from increasing the clay content, as shown in the DIY Sea Clay Mask.

Spirulina powder adds both color and skin benefits, packed with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Its deep green hue gives the mask a beautiful color, though keep in mind that spirulina does have a fishy odor, which the ginger essential oil in this recipe helps to mask.

Substitutions & Notes:

  • Polawax Emulsifying Wax is used here for a smooth, reliable emulsion. You can substitute it with a generic emulsifying wax, though this recipe wasn’t tested with it.
  • Oils: Avocado and cucumber seed oils are chosen for their lightweight, hydrating qualities, but you can substitute other liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Altering the oil amount will affect the texture of the mask.
  • Preservative: Since this recipe contains water and is essentially a lotion, a preservative like Optiphen is necessary to prevent mold and bacteria. Alternatives like Phenonip will also work.
  • Clay: Adjust the amount of clay based on your skin type. More clay is better for oily skin, and less is ideal for dry skin, though this will make the product thinner.
  • Clay Variety: You can swap clays based on your preferences. Different clays absorb differently, which will affect the mask’s feel on the skin.
  • Fragrance & Essential Oils: If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to omit these, as they may cause irritation.
  • Seaweed Extract: Feel free to replace with a different extract of your choice.

What You’ll Need:

Four 8 oz. Bail Jars 
21.4 oz. Distilled Water
1 oz. Cucumber Seed Oil
1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
5 oz. Kaolin Clay
2 oz. Sea Clay
0.4 oz. Spirulina Powder
3 mL Ginger Essential Oil
0.5 oz. Seaweed Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen

Equipment Preparation:

Before beginning, ensure all equipment is disinfected to keep your mask free from germs and bacteria. Prepare a 5% bleach water solution and dip all utensils—mixing containers, stick blender, spoons, and spatulas—allowing them to air dry completely before use.

Instructions:

Step 1: In a medium-sized container, measure out:

  • 5 ounces of kaolin clay
  • 2 ounces of sea clay
  • 0.4 ounces of spirulina powder

Mix the clays and spirulina powder thoroughly until fully combined.

Step 2: In a heat-safe container, combine the following ingredients:

  • 1.3 ounces of avocado oil
  • 1 ounce of cucumber seed oil
  • 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50
  • 1 ounce of Polawax

Heat the container in the microwave in 30-60 second bursts, stirring in between, until the waxes are fully melted. Be cautious when removing the container, as it will be very hot. Once melted, set the container aside.

Step 3: In a separate large container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stovetop) until it reaches about 160-170°F. If some water evaporates, remeasure and add more distilled water as needed to ensure you have the correct amount.

Step 4: Once the water has reached the correct temperature, check the temperatures of both the water and the oil-wax mixture. Both should be around 160°F. If the oil and wax mixture has cooled, reheat it in the microwave. Next, submerge the stick blender into the water and burp it to release any air bubbles.

Pour the oil and wax mixture into the hot water, using a spatula to scrape out every bit. Start pulsing the stick blender. As the ingredients begin to emulsify, the mixture will turn a milky white. Continue pulsing and stirring for about a minute to fully combine.

Step 5: Gradually add heaping spoonfuls of the clay mixture to the emulsified water and oil blend. Use the stick blender to pulse and blend until the clay is fully incorporated and the mixture reaches a smooth, thick consistency. Continue blending until the mask is well-combined and free of lumps.

Step 6: Continue stick blending the mixture for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring it stays smooth and well-incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down any clay that may have stuck to the sides of the bowl.

Check the temperature of the mixture. Once it has cooled to about 130-140°F, add the following ingredients:

  • 0.2 ounces of Optiphen preservative
  • 3 mL of ginger essential oil
  • 0.5 ounces of seaweed extract

Stick blend again, remembering to burp the stick blender to release any air bubbles. Continue blending until all the ingredients are fully combined.

Step 7: Carefully pour the finished mixture into your bail jars or preferred containers. Tap the jars gently on the counter to help release any air bubbles. Alternatively, you can spritz the surface with alcohol to further eliminate bubbles.

Leave the lids off and allow the containers to cool for several hours to prevent condensation from forming inside the jars. Once fully cooled, you can secure the lids.

Once fully cooled, the mixture will have a thick, lotion-like texture. To use, apply a medium layer of the mask to clean, dry skin, avoiding the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the ingredients to work their magic.

After 15 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water. There’s no need to wash your face afterward, but you can do so if you prefer. Enjoy the refreshed, hydrated feel of your skin!

CONCLUSION

This DIY Seaweed & Cucumber Face Mask is a nourishing and effective way to pamper your skin with natural ingredients. The combination of sea clay, kaolin clay, spirulina powder, and hydrating oils leaves your skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and deeply moisturized. With customizable options to suit different skin types and simple, straightforward steps, this mask is a great addition to your skincare routine. Enjoy the process of making it yourself and the glowing results afterward!