Homemade Charcoal Clay Mask

You’ve probably heard of activated charcoal for its effective medicinal uses of absorbing toxins or poisons out of the body. Because of its super absorbency power, activated charcoal acts like a magnet inside the body to attach to chemicals so they can be excreted out of the body.

This is also true when it is used externally, which is why activated charcoal is so great for detoxifying and cleansing the skin. Used on the skin, activated charcoal attaches to dirt and oil and cleans out the pores of its impurities so you end up with clean and beautiful skin. 

One thing to mention about activated charcoal is that using it too much can dry out the skin. Because it cleans out the oils from the pores, it can also reduce the moisture you need to keep your skin healthy. This is why you need to be careful so you don’t use it too often. However, when you incorporate it in into your skin care routine sparingly, you’ll begin to see some wonderful changes to your skin.

Benefits of Activated Charcoal for Skin

• Reduces acne
• Treats oily skin
• Decreases blackheads
• Deep cleans your skin
• Soothes cuts, insect bites, and skin irritations
• Evens out skin tone

Note:  Your skin may feel dry and look red right after you use the mask, so follow up with a high quality moisturizer. The redness should go away after a few hours so it is best to use the mask at night before you go to bed so you can wake up to improved skin tone and quality.

INGREDIENTS:

½ tsp bentonite clay
¼ tsp activated charcoal powder

7 drops Bergamot Essential Oil

7 drops Lavender Essential Oil

7 drops Tea Tree Oil
½ tsp raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar*

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Using a plastic or glass container** and measuring spoons, combine all ingredients.
2.  Mix until a paste is formed. 
3.  Add more apple cider vinegar or water if the mixture is too thick to spread.

To use:  Wash your face as usual and dry it thoroughly with a towel.  Apply and spread the charcoal clay mask on your face in a thin layer, avoiding your eyes and your mouth.  Leave on for 15-20 minutes until the mask dries.  As the mask dries you will feel your face tighten and have a tingling sensation.  Wash with warm water and follow up with your favourite moisturizer.

Use every 2-3 days, depending on how your skin feels.

Notes:
*If you do not like the smell of apple cider vinegar, you can use plain water.
**When using bentonite clay and activated charcoal, use glass, ceramic, or plastic with your utensils and containers. They both lose their effectiveness when they come in contact with metal.