Hi guys! I hope you are all enjoying this new year and working super hard towards all of your new goals! 🙂 As you probably already know from my first skin care blog post, I love love love natural ingredients! So one of my many goals this year is to try to incorporate even more natural ingredients and homeopathic remedies into my every day routines. So I’m soooo excited to share my red clay detox mask with you all!
But first, let me tell you a little back story. I traveled to Huatulco, Oaxaca in May of last year and I got the amazing opportunity to explore the Llano Grande Waterfalls. On our tour, we got to travel up to a coffee plantation high in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. We then hiked deep into the jungle and got to see some gorgeous waterfalls! I know this post isn’t about traveling but…I couldn’t resist sharing some of my pictures with you! 😉
P.S. the organic coffee and food were legit HEAVEN! Okay let’s get back on track…
On the tour, we got to meet some of Huatulco’s native peoples who not only showed us some of the most beautiful waterfalls and jungle life but they also taught us some of their skin care secrets! We had the option to try these red clay masks (mixed with the magic waterfall water) and so of course I had to try it!
And let me tell you… it was seriously amazing. I found out that red clay is actually one of the best things to use for getting rid of blackheads as well as toning, brightening and detoxing your skin. And it did just that for me – my skin felt amazing, like it could finally breathe!
So I thought well, if my skin felt THAT good with just red clay and water then maybe I could add a couple more of my favorite skin-healing ingredients to make the ultimate detox and brightening mask! So I did. And I had that same feeling I did back in Huatulco but this time it lasted for days – even after working out, applying makeup, and going about my normal routine. Sure it might not look cute or smell like roses on, but it’s totally worth it I promise.
Here’s what you’ll need, where you can get it, what it can do for your skin, and how much you’ll need for my glowing skin mask!
Red Clay
Where to Buy:
I got mine on my trip, but you can actually buy pure red clay online from Amazon for less than $10!
Benefits:
- Treats blackheads and removes dead skin cells
- Perfect for all skin types (removes dirt and oils as well as reduces dryness)
- Tightens pores
- Smoothes and firms skin texture and elasticity
- Reduces dryness
- Pulls toxins
- Exfoliates and cleanses the skin
Amount Used for Mask:
2 tablespoons
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Where to Buy:
I always have this handy in the house since ACV is used for a million other things! But you can buy it at your local health food store or online.
Benefits:
- Reduces age spots and fights wrinkles
- Removes dead skin and draws out toxins
- Fights acne (it’s a natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral substance!)
- Balances your skin’s pH levels
Amount Used for Mask:
2 teaspoons
Activated Charcoal
Where to Buy:
This also has a variety of different benefits – including being given patients who have ingested poison since it has wonderful absorbing powers! Personally, I always keep a bottle in my medicine cabinet since I use it as a natural teeth whitener. You can find it on Amazon or at a nearby vitamin shop.
Benefits:
- Reduces inflammations
- Removes toxins and impurities from the skin (since it is extremely absorbent)
- Keeps pores clean and tight
- Calms irritated skin
Amount Used for Mask:
1 capsule, broken (use only the powder inside of the capsule)
Essential Oils
You can use the essential oils of your choice, but these 2 are my favorite for their awesome skin benefits!
Where to Buy:
I bought these at Sprouts – but you can buy them pretty much anywhere online from any brand, NOW just happens to be one of my favorites!
Benefits of Rose Hip Seed Oil:
- Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants
- Contains essential fatty acids that naturally moisturize the skin
- Corrects dark spots and reduces scars
- Hydrates the skin
- Brightens and evens out the skin
Benefits of Orange Oil:
- Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory (kills bacteria)
- Increases ability to absorb Vitamin C
- Helps increase the production of collagen
- Improves blood circulation
Amount Used for Mask:
1 drop of each oil
Okay so now that you have all of your ingredients, just mix them all together and apply the mixture to your face and let sit for 10 minutes. It can get messy because of the red clay so I always recommend using this mask before you take a shower so you can rinse of inside the tub!
I use this mask about once per week in addition to my daily skin regimen. It has worked wonders for me so I hope it can help you too! Let me know how you much you loved it and if you have any favorite natural ingredients of your own. Now go detox and glow! Xoxo
