clay mask Archives - Soap Queen

Pumpkin & Clay Face Mask

October 17, 2018 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

This Pumpkin & Clay Face Mask is the perfect way to celebrate fall and treat your skin at the same time. It’s made with skin-loving ingredients such as pumpkin extract, pumpkin powder, and oat oil. Kaolin clay creates a thick yet spreadable texture, and dark red Brazilian clay gives the mask a beautiful pumpkin orange hue. Click here to download the free label template to give your jars the perfect finishing touch.

This mask is an emulsified product, which means oils and water are blended together with the help of an emulsifier. In this recipe, we used Polawax Emulsifying Wax and BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier to bind the mask. The final texture is similar to a thick cream. Because this recipe contains water, a preservative is necessary. Learn more about preservatives here. This mask is best suited for combination to oily skin. If you have dry skin, decrease the amount of kaolin clay as shown in the Lavender Clay Face Mask recipe.

If creating an emulsified product is intimidating, create an oil-based mask by mixing together the wet ingredients (oils, extract, essential oil, preservative) with the clay. Or, mix together the clay, essential oil, and extract. When you’re ready to use the mask, mix together a small amount of the clay with water to create a paste and apply immediately. Both of these options will result in a very different product than the recipe below.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and oat oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to prevent mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other oil soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for oily skin, or decrease the amount to make it better for dry skin. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product, and it may not dry on the skin.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.
Pumpkin extract can be substituted with a different extract if you prefer.
Cedarwood atlas essential oil gives this mask a light earthy smell that fits well with the pumpkin theme. Feel free to swap it for another fragrance or essential oil if you prefer.

What You Need:
Four 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
21.4 oz. Distilled Water
1 oz. Oat Oil
1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
6 oz. Kaolin Clay
0.3 oz. Dark Red Brazilian Clay
1 oz. Pumpkin Powder
0.5 oz. Pumpkin Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen
3 mL Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil
Dropper

Click below to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

5.0 from 4 reviews

Pumpkin & Clay Face Mask

Cook time

1 hour

Total time

1 hour

This Pumpkin & Clay Face Mask is the perfect way to celebrate fall and treat your skin at the same time.

Author: Bramble Berry

Recipe type: Face Mask

Serves: Four 8 oz. Jars

Ingredients

Four 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
21.4 oz. Distilled Water
1 oz. Oat Oil
1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
6 oz. Kaolin Clay
0.3 oz. Dark Red Brazilian Clay
1 oz. Pumpkin Powder
0.5 oz. Pumpkin Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen
3 mL Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil
Dropper

Instructions

Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your mask. Your products must be as free of germs, bacteria, and microbes as possible. To be safe, bleach water all your utensils.
In a heat-safe container, combine 1.3 ounces of avocado oil, 1 ounce of oat oil, 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50, and 1 ounce of Polawax Emulsifying Wax. Heat the container in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until the waxes have fully melted. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot. Set aside.
In a small separate container, measure 6 ounces of kaolin clay, 0.3 ounces of dark red Brazilian clay, and 1 ounce of pumpkin powder. Mix to combine.
In a separate large container, heat the distilled water in the microwave (or on the stove top) until it reaches about 160°F. Once the water reaches the correct temperature, some of it may evaporate. Remeasure and add more distilled water if necessary until you have 21.4 ounces.
Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be about 150°-180° F. If the oil and wax has cooled, place back into the microwave.
Place the stick blender into the water and burp it to help get rid of bubbles. Pour the oil and wax mixture into the water and use a spatula to make sure every little bit is added. Begin pulsing the stick blender. The mixture will take on a milky appearance once the water, oil, and waxes have begun to emulsify. Continue to pulse and stir for about a minute.
Add heaping spoonfuls of the kaolin clay mixture and pulsing the stick blender until fully combined.
Continue stick blending for about 1-2 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape down any clay that may be on the sides of the bowl. If you find the mixture is thick and difficult to mix, it may be too cool. Heat the mixture in the microwave using 30 second bursts and continue stick blending until the mixture is smooth.
Check the temperature of the mixture. Once it's 130-140° F, add 0.2 ounces of Optiphen, 0.5 ounces of pumpkin extract, and 3 mL of cedarwood atlas essential oil. Stick blend the ingredients until fully mixed.
Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If you find you have a lot of bubbles on the top, you can spritz the top of the containers with alcohol to help get rid of some of them. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to prevent condensation. Once fully cooled, the mixture will have a thick, lotion-like texture.

Rhassoul Clay Mask DIY

December 13, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials

When we say this Rhassoul Clay Mask recipe is simple, we mean it. It’s just kaolin clay and rhassoul clay. It’s designed to be customized with your favorite ingredients.

If you have oily skin, all you need to do is mix the mask with water and apply to the face. The clays absorb oil and leave the skin feeling fresh. If your skin is dry, mix the mask with a lightweight oil like borage or rosehip seed to add moisture. If you need even more hydration, try a heavier option like olive oil.

Kaolin and rhassoul have a silky texture that feels great on dry skin. You can also mix the mask with essential oils, jojoba beads, extracts, or even liquid soap. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil and tea tree essential oil are great scent options. The sky’s the limit with this simple recipe.

You may have noticed that this recipe fills two 8 ounce jars but it doesn’t contain 16 ounces of ingredients. That’s because the clay is not very dense (kaolin is less dense than rhassoul). Read more about weight vs. volume here.

[Read more…]

Moringa Clay Mask DIY

November 28, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

The moringa tree is also known as the Miracle Tree and the Tree of Life. It’s considered a superfood because the leaves are packed with vitamins A, B, and C, manganese, and protein, and the seeds contain potassium, fiber, and magnesium. This DIY mask contains moringa seed oil and moringa leaf powder to create an incredibly skin-loving product.

This mask recipe was designed with combination skin in mind. The amount of kaolin clay creates a thick but spreadable texture. If you have dry skin, you can use less kaolin clay as shown in the DIY Lavender Clay Face Mask. If you have oily skin, increase the amount of clay as shown in the DIY Sea Clay Mask. Find all of our clay mask recipes below.

This mask is lightly scented with the Spa Essential Oil Blend. It’s a complex blend of lavender fine essential oil, bergamot essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and more. If you have sensitive skin, you can omit the essential oil completely. Read more about recipe substitutions below.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and moringa seed oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to prevent mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water-soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for oily skin, or decrease the amount to make it better for dry skin. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.
Green tea extract can be substituted with a different extract if you prefer. Find more extracts here.

[Read more…]

Rose Clay Face Mask DIY

April 24, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Rose clay is a naturally beautiful skincare ingredient. It adds a soft, rosy hue to this Rose Clay Face Mask. Rose clay has gentle oil-absorbing properties, making this mask suitable for both dry and oil skin types. Scented with rose absolute, this face mask is luxurious and pampering.

This face mask recipe was specifically designed with dry, mature skin in mind. Rosehip seed oil is rich in vitamin A and C, and intensely moisturizes without leaving a greasy feeling on the skin. Chamomile extract soothes dry skin, and is thought to be an anti-inflammatory. A downloadable label template gives a finished and polished look.

Rose absolute is extracted from rose petals, and gives the mask a soft, luxurious rose scent. It is a pricey essential oil, but you don’t need much at all. Just 1 mL of the oil is enough to elevate this mask to a truly pampering experience. If you don’t have dry or mature skin, there are three different variations of this mask recipe. This post will help you find which clay mask is right for your skin type.

Tumeric Clay Face Mask – normal, combination skin.
Lavender Clay Face Mask – dry, sensitive skin.
Sea Clay Face Mask – oil skin.

A few notes about recipe substitutions:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and rosehip seed oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to prevent mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for normal to oily skin types. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product with more moisturizing properties.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer. Or, you can sub out the essential oil for a different oil.

[Read more…]

How to Multi-Mask for Your Skin Type

January 18, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Tips & Tricks

Have you heard of multi-masking? Essentially, it’s the process of applying different masks to various areas of your face to target specific skin care concerns. For example, let’s say you have an oily T-zone but dry cheeks. Products for oily skin on your dry cheeks wouldn’t be the best fit…but your T-zone would love them! Multi-making is a fun (and usually colorful!) way to balance your skin and give it the TLC it needs. Learn more about our clay mask recipes and the benefits of each.

Below, Lily demonstrates how to multi-mask using the Sea Clay Mask and the Turmeric Clay Mask. Lily has an oily T-zone and normal skin on her cheeks. The Sea Clay Mask contains the most clay of all the recipes, making it great for oily skin. The Turmeric Clay Mask is suitable for combination to oily skin. To get started, Lily applied the Sea Clay Mask to the oily areas of her skin. In her case, this is her chin, nose and forehead.

Then, the Turmeric Clay Mask is applied to the cheeks to address those skin concerns. Because it does not contain as much clay as the Sea Clay Mask, it won’t leave her cheeks feeling dry and uncomfortable.

Once your skin is covered in homemade clay mask goodness, it’s time to wait. And if you’re getting your photos taken during this process, that obviously involves cheesin’ for the camera! 😉

After about 10-15 minutes, the masks will begin to dry. Wash them off with warm water. There is no need to wash your skin after, but you can if you’d like. If you are applying the Lavender Clay Mask, which contains less clay, it may not dry in 10-15 minutes. Because it does not contain much clay, it may remain a lotion-like texture. If your cheeks are dry rather than comfortable (like Lily’s), I would recommend applying the Lavender Clay Mask to your cheeks and the Sea Clay Mask to your T-zone. What’s your perfect multi-making combination?

Which Face Mask is Right for You?

January 16, 2017 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Facial skin varies widely from person to person. From dry and flaky to oily and shiny, everybody’s skin is a little bit different. Skin type determines which products and ingredients are the best for you. Last week, we shared three clay face mask recipes: Lavender Clay Mask, Sea Clay Mask and a Turmeric Clay Mask. Each mask is formulated for a different skin type and concern. Learn more about each mask below and find out which is right for your skin.

Not sure what type of skin you have? Think about how your skin would feel midday without a moisturizer. If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, you have dry skin. If your skin is comfortable without a moisturizer, you are on the oilier side. If areas of your skin feel comfortable, while other areas feel dry, you have combination skin. Another good test is to run your finger across your T-zone (chin, nose and forehead) midday. Do you see oil on your finger? If so, you most likely have combination to oily skin. Keep in mind that skin type can change during the year depending on the season. You may be dry during the winter, and oily during the summer.

Lavender Clay Face Mask – This mask is formulated for dry skin. It contains the least amount of kaolin clay to lessen the oil absorbing properties. Purple Brazilian clay adds a beautiful color. The mask contains argan oil, which is well known for its intense moisturizing properties and large amounts of vitamin A and E. Evening primrose extract is wonderful for soothing dryness, making it a good choice for dry skin. Lavender 40/42 essential oil gives this face mask a soft, calming scent. If your skin is extremely sensitive, you may want to omit the essential oil from the recipe. Because this mask does not contain a large amount of clay, it will only dry on the skin if a very thin layer is applied.

Sea Clay Face Mask – The Sea Clay Mask is formulated for oily skin and contains the largest amount of clay. Equal amounts of kaolin clay and sea clay are used. Kaolin clay is a fantastic gentle clay, while sea clay adds some serious oil absorbing properties. It has a thick texture and dries completely on the face after about 15 minutes. Tea tree essential oil adds a refreshing scent, and some studies claim it has antimicrobial properties. Hazelnut oil is ideal for oily skin as it absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. This mask also contains ginseng extract, which comes from the ginseng root and is commonly used for homeopathic treatments.

Turmeric Clay Face Mask – This mask is formulated for combination to oily skin, or if you are concerned about redness or dullness. The only clay in this mask is kaolin clay, which has mild oil absorbing properties. This mask does contain enough clay to dry on the skin, giving that classic clay mask feeling. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is an anti-oxidant and is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Don’t worry about this mask leaving your skin yellow; it washes off cleanly with warm water. This mask contains carrot extract and carrot seed essential oil, both of which are rich in vitamins A and E.

Of course the best part about making your own skin care is being able to tweak the recipes for your skin. Feel free to swap out the essential oils, clay, extracts and more for something that may work for your skin better. A small test batch is always a good idea! Each clay post above also includes tips for recipe substitutions and changes. If you’d like to learn more about which kind of clay is best for your skin, click here.

DIY Turmeric Clay Face Mask

January 13, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family, and is usually used in dry powder form. Its commonly added to dishes like curry and has been used in Chinese medicine for years. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is an anti-oxidant and is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. This Turmeric Clay Face Mask recipe harnesses the properties of this powerful spice, along with luxurious ingredients like carrot seed essential oil and carrot extract. They’re a blast to make, and are a great way to get creative and give your skin a fresh start to the new year!

This clay mask was specifically designed for normal to oily skin types. It contains kaolin clay, which is fine-grained and gentle on the skin. Carrot extract is high in vitamins A and E, and is thought to soothe the skin. Carrot seed essential oil is rich in vitamins and carotene. It has a distinct herby smell that’s not everybody’s favorite, but this recipe uses a small amount so it’s not overwhelming.

I was a bit worried this mask would leave my skin yellow. Luckily, it washes of clean with no staining. On a personal note, I have a bit of redness to my skin and I felt this mask really made a difference. It could be the yellow color of the turmeric neutralizing that redness, but hey, I’ll take it! As always, if you’re selling this product, you cannot claim it cures redness or any skin condition.

Speaking of medical claims and skin care products, you’ll find plenty of claims online that turmeric treats various medical conditions. If you are selling a product that contains turmeric (like this mask!), be careful about making medical claims. If your product claims to treat the skin or body in anyway, your product is considered a drug and needs testing by the FDA. Learn more about cosmetics and medical claims here.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and meadowfoam oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to avoid mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for oily skin, or decrease the amount to make it better for dry skin. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.
Carrot extract can be substituted with a different extract if you prefer.

[Read more…]

DIY Sea Clay Face Mask

January 11, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Sea clay is a classic ingredient for facial masks. It originates from mud laid under the sea millions of years ago and has a grayish green color. Sea clay has great absorption properties, which makes it perfect for oily skin. This Sea Clay Face Mask was specifically formulated for oily skin with a combination of kaolin clay and sea clay. Tea tree essential oil gives the mask a fresh scent.

Because this mask contains plenty of clay, it has a nice thick texture. It also dries on the skin after about 10-15 minutes, giving you that classic “dry” clay mask feeling. You know the one! If you’d like to tweak this recipe for more normal or combination skin, you can decrease the amount of sea clay to 1-2 ounces. If you decrease the amount of clay, it may take a little longer to dry on the skin.

If you have extremely sensitive skin, tea tree essential oil sitting on the skin for 10-15 minutes could be a little irritating. If you’re concerned, you can omit it completely from the recipe. You can also switch out the extract for another if you prefer.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and hazelnut oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to avoid mold and bacteria growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Decrease the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for dry skin. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.
Ginseng extract can be substituted with a different extract if you prefer.

[Read more…]

DIY Lavender Clay Face Mask

January 9, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Usually clay masks are designed for oily skin. Because clay absorbs oil, it’s a natural fit. This Lavender Clay Face Mask was specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin. Don’t let the list of ingredients intimidate you – it’s surprisingly easy to make! Transforming the clay, water and oil into a luxurious mask is a satisfying and rewarding creative process.

This Lavender Clay Mask recipe contains a luxurious blend of argan and avocado oil to moisturize the skin. Argan oil is well known for its nourishing properties, and contains high percentages of vitamins A and E. The oils and distilled water are mixed together with Polawax Emulsifying Wax and BTMS-50 Conditioning Wax. These emulsifiers create a smooth, creamy, lotion-like texture, and prevent separation of the oil and water.

A mixture of kaolin and purple Brazilian clay is added to the water and oils. The majority of the clay in this mask is kaolin clay, which is very fine and gentle. Purple Brazilian clay adds a beautiful color and helps create a thicker mask. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil adds a light scent, but can be omitted if your skin is extremely sensitive. Evening primrose extract adds skin-loving properties, but can easily be swapped for any other extract you may prefer. Find out more about extracts here.

Overall, this mask has a lotion-like texture that spreads easily on the skin. Because it’s formulated with dry skin in mind, it contains a fairly small amount of clay. If you apply a very thin layer to the skin, you’ll find that after about 10 minutes it will dry. But if a heavier application is used, it may not fully dry and will continue to have a wet, lotion feel. If you prefer the mask to fully dry on the skin, increase the amount of total clay in the recipe to about 6 ounces.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
This recipe calls for avocado and argan oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to prevent mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for normal to oily skin types. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product with more moisturizing properties.
If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.

[Read more…]

Pumpkin & Clay Face Mask

Find the supplies you need for this project below