DIY Cleansing Face Mask with Charcoal + Green Tea

Hey, everybody, it’s Melissa from My Darla Clementine back to share another DIY with you! This month we are going to make a DIY charcoal mask with green tea and peppermint. I just know that you are going to love it!

Though all skin types will certainly benefit from this treatment, it is especially stellar for oily or combination skin types, as well as those that are prone to breakouts or blackheads.

Using it as a One-Time Mask

Most skin types will notice positive effects even after just one application! For lasting results, though, it is wise to make a cleansing charcoal mask part of your regular skin routine. After using it once, you will probably notice…

Smoother, softer skin to the touch
Lessened appearance of blackheads
A deeply cleansed and fresh feel, as well as feeling nourished and hydrated

Incorporating it Regularly in Your Skincare Routine

My official recommendation would be to use a deep cleansing charcoal mask twice per week, and as needed as an overnight spot treatment on acne. When adding it regularly into a proper skincare routine, you will likely notice…

Breakouts & zits reducing in size and appearance
Less blackheads forming
Oil production beginning to balance
Softer, smoother complexion
Better product penetration with other serums, moisturizers, or treatments that you use

Why Use These Ingredients?

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is actually carbon that has been heated to become adsorbent. That’s right, I said ADsorbent. That means that it actually binds to toxins and impurities (almost like a magnet!) and helps to wash them away. You may have noticed charcoal in many DIY or safer beauty products lately (like my DIY Tooth Whitening treatment), but it has been used for years by the medical community to treat food and alcohol poisoning. (Disclaimer: Please consult a medical professional before ingesting charcoal or attempting to treat any type of poisoning with it.)

In skincare, activated charcoal plays a role in flushing and soaking up excess oils, debris, and bacteria without being harsh or stripping to the skin. These qualities are especially helpful when trying to prevent or deal with blackheads and breakouts.

Green Tea

Using green tea topically on the skin has great cleansing, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Tannins in the tea help to reduce pore size and balance oil production. They can also shrink blood vessels around the delicate eye area, reducing puffiness and minimizing fine lines.

Peppermint Essential Oil

The menthol in pure, high-quality peppermint oil is cooling and soothing to the skin. Its cleansing properties make it a powerful aid in combating breakouts and acne, and it is also helpful in improving the texture of oily skin.

Clay

Clays can be very helpful in detoxing and purifying the skin. There are several different skin-loving clays to choose from, but my 3 favorites for this recipe are:

White Kaolin Clay – all skin types, especially dry/sensitive skin. White kaolin provides light oil absorption, while being highline nourishing and conditioning to the skin.
Bentonite Clay – all skin types, especially combination/oily skin. Like charcoal, bentonite clay is known for being an excellent detoxing agent and is deeply cleansing and nourishing to the skin. It can be used in many types of skin and beauty recipes. Grab our free Bentonite Clay Printable below from some great ideas on how to use it in your beauty routines!(A few other bentonite clay-based recipes you might be interested in: How to Wash your Hair with Bentonite Clay, Homemade Herbal Baby Powder, How to Make Toothpaste Like a Boss)
Fuller’s Earth Clay – especially great for oily skin. Fuller’s Earth clay is deeply absorbing — to the point that it is used in some natural cat litters! It naturally also offers mild brightening/bleaching effects, making it good for use on hyper-pigmentation.

DIY Charcoal Mask With Green Tea

Ingredients:

2 Activated charcoal capsules (just over 1/2 tsp of powder) (find capsules here and powder here)
2 tsp White Kaolin or Bentonite Clay (or Fuller’s Earth Clay for very oily/acneic skin)
.5 tsp Vegetable Glycerin (or pure aloe vera gel) (find Vegetable Glycerin here and organic aloe vera gel here)
4 drops Peppermint essential oil
1.5 tsp Fresh-brewed Organic green tea (or water) (find organic green tea here)

Method:

Start by brewing yourself a nice strong cup of Organic Green Tea.
Using a non-metal bowl and spoon, mix the charcoal, clay, glycerin, and essential oils together.
After the tea has finished steeping, add 1.5 tsp of it to the bowl and mix until well combined. (Drink the rest of the tea!)

To Apply:

First cleanse and dry your face. Apply the charcoal mask liberally using a flat, wide brush. Allow the mask to dry for 10-15 minutes, and then remove using a wet washcloth or facial sponge.

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