Before kids, I was the perfect parent! My list of perfection parenting (remember, I’m a list kind of gal), included everything my children and I would never do. I don’t know why I thought parenting was all about the “will nots” in life.
On my list, under “I will never share my bed” (yep, we broke that rule on day one of the job), I wrote, “My children will never play with food”.
Slowly, after Piper’s birth, my perfect list started looking more like the list of a highly confused mom. Scribbles here and there, black lines through sentences. Finally, at six months of age, “my children will never play with food” received the black scribble of death. Feeding a six month-old baby is all about hands, messes, and food! What was I thinking?
I’m far from that “perfect” parent I once envisioned. Was the parent on my list really “perfect”? (Answer: No) My kids often run around in nothing more than undies until noon, we are past the baby phase yet they still “play” with food (have you ever baked with a two and four year-old?), and they even watch movies from Disney (gasp!).
So, today, in celebration of my once “perfect” list and the new life and freedom found in the black scribbles, we’re going to play with food, again.
Last time we hung out we played with lemons, oats, and honey. Not only did we play with our food, we also smothered the ingredients all over our faces. List-breaking to the max. Today, we’re going a step further with three mud-slinging, food-playing masks that deep-clean, moisturize, and stop those blemishes from ever coming back.
Each mask uses bentonite clay as the main ingredient. You may remember this clay from my favorite make-up bag essential, homemade foundation powder. I also use this clay to make my family’s homemade toothpaste. That’s some versatile clay!
Bentonite clay pulls toxins, chemicals, and even heavy metals. The clay also helps provide oxygen to cells and has an alkalizing effect. Bentonite clay is rich in beneficial minerals such as: magnesium, silica, and calcium. When mixed together with healing and antibacterial ingredients, the clay creates a mask that can safely and effectively be used for maintaining healthy skin.
Before we play, let’s take a look at a few other ingredients:
Yogurt: helps exfoliate skin and tighten pores with naturally-occurring lactic acid. Yogurt also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to help keep blemishes far away.
Honey: with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, honey is perfect for achieving that “glow” while fighting acne and nourishing aging skin. Honey also naturally opens pores.
Oats: contains anti-inflammatory properties and saponins, a cleansing agent, making oats perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Tea Tree Essential Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil has been used for everything from treating acne to dandruff.
Ready to play? Me too!
Acne-Fighting Tea Tree Mask
Ingredients
- 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
- 1-2 TB water (Clean tap water is fine for short-term use. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water for long-term use.)
- 1 TB ground oats (where to buy)*
- 4 drops tea tree essential oil (where to buy)
Instructions
Combine the bentonite clay and oats in a small bowl. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Add in enough water to make a spreadable paste. Add 4 drops of tea tree oil and stir. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.
*Note: To grind oats, place desired amount of oats in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Pulse oats until coarse and flour-like.
Soothing Yogurt Mask
Ingredients
- 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
- 1 TB plain yogurt (homemade)
Instructions
Combine the bentonite clay and yogurt. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.
Acne-Fighting Honey Mask
Ingredients
- 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
- 1 TB water
- 1 TB raw honey
Instructions
Combine the bentonite clay, honey, and water. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.
More Recipes You May Like:
Homemade Honey Oatmeal Acne Mask
The mask worked well for me. Thank you.
So glad to hear that, Marnus!
1. Regarding bentonite clay mask recipes: do i have to use essential oil?
2. Can i make up enough for 3 or 4 uses? What is shelf life if i do?
Nice article its very helpfull thanks for sharing
Hi, can I substitute the bentonite clay with kaolin clay?
Thanks.
Hey Siam, Yes, you can. You’ll need to use more clay since bentonite absorbs so much of the liquid.
These are great recipes! I am currently trying the oatmeal & tea tree oil mask.. and I’m thinking maybe this would work good for hair as well? Would you recommend this on hair?
Sounds like such a great alternative to the pricey, store bought creams!
Thanks, Brandy!
I just recently went to Florida and got a sunburn from spending too much time in the sun. Which mask would you recommend for getting rid of it and how often should I use it? The burn is all over my body
Hey Jordan, I’d just apply fresh aloe vera to the areas.
You mentioned a few times not to use metal when working with Bentonite Clay. Why is that?
Great clay masks recipes, Kristin. My friends suggest me to try this kind of masks for my face. But I have not that much confident on that so I neglect their suggestions. Now, I thought why not to use it?.Yes, I decided to do that. Thank you for making me confident in using clay masks.
Enjoy, Juanita!
Hi! What do you recommend for the pores right under your eyes? Mine are clogged. I have had little success with exfoliating . Have used sugar scrubs, etc. Thanks!!
Hey Deborah, I’m not really sure. Maybe this mask: https://livesimply.me/2016/08/19/soothing-clay-mask-for-stubborn-breakouts-and-scars/? It’s really soothing, plus honey and aloe are amazing for breakouts/clogged pores. Or this mask: https://livesimply.me/2016/04/23/soothing-cleansing-face-mask/.
Hi Kristin ! loved your post cant wait to try !
Can you tell me how long is the shelf life? I feel like gifting it to my dear one, how long she can use this ? should we add any other oils or anything to have a good shelf life ?
Or these mask is only for one time use?
I am from India 🙂
Thoughts on what type of yogurt to use? Plain VS Greek? Does it matter much?
Hey Noel, It doesn’t matter as long as the yogurt contains the naturally-occurring probiotics–that’s what really helps :).