what temperature should wax be for face

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!

HOW TO GET WAX OUT OF CLOTHES

Spilled candle wax can leave unsightly stains on your favorite clothes, but fear not! Removing wax is definitely achievable with a little know-how and the right approach. This post will walk you through the steps to effectively remove wax stains from your garments, restoring them to their pristine condition. Keep reading!

CAN WAX BE WASHED OUT OF CLOTHES? 

While washing can often remove wax stains, swift action is key to prevent the wax from spreading and setting deeply into the fabric. Before tossing your garment in the washer, pretreating the area is crucial. This step involves removing as much excess wax as possible, and it typically takes around 30 minutes to complete, not 3 hours. This revised statement emphasizes the importance of pretreatment while providing a more realistic timeframe for the process.

HOW TO GET WAX OUT OF CLOTHES STEP BY STEP

Before diving into the specifics of wax removal, remember to always consult the care label on your garment. Different fabrics may have varying tolerances for heat and cleaning solutions, so following the manufacturer’s instructions ensures you don’t damage your clothing further. With that in mind, here’s a general guide to pretreating, washing, and drying clothes with wax stains:

Supplies

  • Paper towels
  • Stain treatment or detergent
  • Hot water
  • Oxygen bleach (optional)

Tools

  • Spoon or butter knife
  • Iron

STEP 1: PRETREAT FABRIC

Patience is key! Resist the urge to tackle the wax while it’s warm as this will only spread the stain further. Once the wax has completely dried and hardened, use a blunt knife or the dull edge of a spoon to carefully scrape away as much excess wax as possible. Alternatively, you can freeze the garment to harden the wax further, making it easier to remove. Remember, gentle scraping is crucial to avoid damaging the fabric.

STEP 2: IRON THE WAX STAIN

Position your clothing with the stained side facing down on a paper towel. Place another paper towel on top. Employ a low-setting iron to press the paper towel, extracting as much wax from the fabric as you can. Subsequently, swap the waxy paper towels with fresh ones and iterate the procedure until the wax ceases to transfer onto the paper towels.

STEP 3: SOAK THE ITEM FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR

Apply a stain treatment or use a detergent on any remaining stained areas prior to washing, using approximately two cups of the hottest water deemed safe for the garment as per the care label instructions. Allow the item to soak for a minimum of one hour. Following the soaking period, thoroughly rinse the item under warm running water, ensuring complete removal of any dish soap residue to prevent excessive suds in the washing machine. Feel free to handle your clothes without concern for wrinkles, especially with materials like polyester that are both wrinkle-free and stretch-resistant, allowing for more comfortable manipulation.

STEP 4: MACHINE WASH

For optimal outcomes, launder your item in the washing machine, opting for a heavy soil setting cycle available on certain Maytag brand washers. Choose the warmest water temperature advised on the care label and utilize your standard laundry detergent. Optionally, enhance the cleaning efficacy by incorporating a washer pretreatment before initiating the wash cycle.

Should you observe any lingering color from the wax on the fabric, consider adding a small amount of oxygen bleach to the load before starting the cycle to aid in eliminating the staining.

STEP 5: LINE DRY & REPEAT IF NECESSARY

Heat from a dryer will set any stain left behind that you can’t see while the fabric is wet. If the stain remains after it dries, repeat the steps as many times as necessary. After washing, opt for line drying your item to avoid setting any remaining unseen stains with heat from a dryer. 

HOW DO I GET WAX OUT OF FABRIC WITHOUT AN IRON?

If you lack an iron, an alternative method to eliminate wax from clothing involves using a hair dryer. Begin by activating the hair dryer at its lowest heat setting, directing the heat towards the wax-stained area, and blotting away the excess with a white paper towel. Repeat this process until you’ve successfully removed the maximum amount of wax.

HOW DO I GET WAX OUT OF JEANS?

To address candle wax stains on jeans, initiate the process by scraping the dried wax using a utensil like a spoon or a blunt knife. Subsequently, place a thick paper, like a brown paper bag, over the stain and gently rub it with a clothing iron on a low heat setting. Repeat this procedure as needed for persistent stains.

DOES VINEGAR REMOVE CANDLE WAX?

When grappling with persistent stains, the inclination to turn to household remedies like vinegar may arise. However, to minimize the risk of clothing damage, it is advisable to first attempt the removal of wax stains through repeated scraping and washing before considering alternative methods.

WILL RUBBING ALCOHOL REMOVE WAX?

As for using rubbing alcohol to eliminate wax, despite its efficacy in tackling various stains, it poses a risk of discoloration, often manifesting as dyeing or bleaching on clothing and fabrics. To safeguard your laundry items from potential permanent damage, it is recommended to steer clear of harsh chemicals and substances.

FAQ

1. Does baking soda remove wax?

Yes. Functions as a natural abrasive for eliminating wax and surface coatings commonly administered to fruits for preservation purposes.

2. Does salt remove wax?

Yes. Salt can act as an abrasive agent, aiding in the removal of wax from surfaces. Its coarse texture helps break down and lift wax, making it useful in certain cleaning applications.

3. How do you get wax out of towels?

Ideally, use a warm iron or blow dryer to soften the wax. Sandwich the waxy area between two paper towels and press with the warm iron, causing the melted wax to transfer onto the paper towel.

CONCLUSION

By following these steps, you’ve successfully tackled the majority of the wax stain. However, depending on the type of wax and the fabric, a faint residue might still be present. If the stain persists after following these steps, consider seeking professional cleaning services. Remember, patience and following the proper techniques are key to successfully removing wax stains and restoring your favorite clothes.