Lavender Face Mask Project
Usually, clay masks are designed for oily skin. Because clay absorbs oil, it’s a natural fit. But this Lavender Clay Face Mask was specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin. Don’t let the list of skincare 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.
It's made with argan oil and avocado oil to moisturize the skin. The oils and distilled water are mixed together with Polawax Emulsifying Wax and Btms - 50 Conditioning Emulsifier. They create a smooth, creamy, lotion-like texture, and they prevent separation of the oil and water. 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 texture. Lavender 40/42 essential oil, and evening primrose extract adds skin-loving properties.
Looking for more skincare making supplies? See our list of DIY skincare kits.
What You Need:
Argan Oil - 4 oz
Avocado Oil - 1 lb
Polawax Emulsifying Wax - 1 lb
Purple Brazilian Clay - 1 oz
Optiphen - 1 oz
Droppers With Suction Bulb - 1 dropper
Short 8 oz Plastic Bail Jar - 10 jars
BTMS - 50 Conditioning Emulsifier - 2 oz
Kaolin Clay - 2 lbs
Orchid Extract - 1 oz
Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil - Trial Size
Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- Argan Oil - 4 oz
- Avocado Oil - 1 lb
- Polawax Emulsifying Wax - 1 lb
- Purple Brazilian Clay - 1 oz
- Optiphen - 1 oz
- BTMS - 50 Conditioning Emulsifier - 2 oz
- Kaolin Clay - 2 lbs
- Orchid Extract - 1 oz
- Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil - Trial Size
EQUIPMENT:
- Droppers With Suction Bulb - 1 dropper
- Short 8 oz Plastic Bail Jar - 10 jars
Instructions
You will need:
- Four Short 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
- 1 oz. Argan Oil
- 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
- 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
- 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Wax
- 3.5 oz. Kaolin Clay
- 1 oz. Purple Brazilian Clay
- 2 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
- 0.5 oz. Evening Primrose Extract
- 0.2 oz. Optiphen
- Dropper
EQUIPMENT PREP: 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.
CLAY PREP: In a small separate container, add 3.5 ounces of kaolin clay and 1 ounce of purple Brazilian clay. Mix well.
Follow these steps:
1
In a heat-safe container, combine 1.3 ounces of avocado oil, 1 ounce of argan oil, 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50, and 1 ounce of Polawax. Melt in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot. Set aside.
2
In a large heat-safe container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stove top) until it reaches about 160-170° F. If necessary, remeasure and add more distilled water to account for evaporation.
3
Check the temperatures of both containers - they should be about 160-180° F. If not, reheat them in the microwave of 30 second bursts. Then, place the stick blender into the water and burp it to 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 it starts to emulsify. Continue to pulse and stir for about a minute.
4
Begin adding heaping spoonfuls of the clay and pulsing the stick blender until combined.
5
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. Once the mixture is about 130-140°F, add 0.2 ounces of Optiphen, 2 mL of lavender 40/42 essential oil and, 0.5 ounces of evening primrose extract.
6
Stick blend for several more minutes until everything is combined. Note: We added the purple Brazilian clay in this step, but you can combine it with the kaolin clay and add it in step 4.
7
Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If you find you have a lot of bubbles, you can spritz the top of the containers with 99% isopropyl alcohol to help get rid of some of them. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to avoid condensation. Once fully cooled, the mixture will have a thick, lotion-like texture. We found that the top of the mask does form a bit of a skin as it dries.
8
To use, apply a medium layer to dry, clean skin. Avoid the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit on the skin for about 10-15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer. For dry skin, don't use more than one time per week.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Lavender Face Mask Project
- LEVEL Intermediate
- TIME 30 minutes
- YIELD Four 8 oz. jars
Project Description
Usually, clay masks are designed for oily skin. Because clay absorbs oil, it’s a natural fit. But this Lavender Clay Face Mask was specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin. Don’t let the list of skincare 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.
It's made with argan oil and avocado oil to moisturize the skin. The oils and distilled water are mixed together with Polawax Emulsifying Wax and Btms - 50 Conditioning Emulsifier. They create a smooth, creamy, lotion-like texture, and they prevent separation of the oil and water. 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 texture. Lavender 40/42 essential oil, and evening primrose extract adds skin-loving properties.
Looking for more skincare making supplies? See our list of DIY skincare kits.
You will need:
- Four Short 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
- 1 oz. Argan Oil
- 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
- 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
- 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Wax
- 3.5 oz. Kaolin Clay
- 1 oz. Purple Brazilian Clay
- 2 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
- 0.5 oz. Evening Primrose Extract
- 0.2 oz. Optiphen
- Dropper
EQUIPMENT PREP: 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.
CLAY PREP: In a small separate container, add 3.5 ounces of kaolin clay and 1 ounce of purple Brazilian clay. Mix well.
Follow these steps:
1
In a heat-safe container, combine 1.3 ounces of avocado oil, 1 ounce of argan oil, 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50, and 1 ounce of Polawax. Melt in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot. Set aside.
2
In a large heat-safe container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stove top) until it reaches about 160-170° F. If necessary, remeasure and add more distilled water to account for evaporation.
3
Check the temperatures of both containers - they should be about 160-180° F. If not, reheat them in the microwave of 30 second bursts. Then, place the stick blender into the water and burp it to 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 it starts to emulsify. Continue to pulse and stir for about a minute.
4
Begin adding heaping spoonfuls of the clay and pulsing the stick blender until combined.
5
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. Once the mixture is about 130-140°F, add 0.2 ounces of Optiphen, 2 mL of lavender 40/42 essential oil and, 0.5 ounces of evening primrose extract.
6
Stick blend for several more minutes until everything is combined. Note: We added the purple Brazilian clay in this step, but you can combine it with the kaolin clay and add it in step 4.
7
Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If you find you have a lot of bubbles, you can spritz the top of the containers with 99% isopropyl alcohol to help get rid of some of them. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to avoid condensation. Once fully cooled, the mixture will have a thick, lotion-like texture. We found that the top of the mask does form a bit of a skin as it dries.
8
To use, apply a medium layer to dry, clean skin. Avoid the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit on the skin for about 10-15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer. For dry skin, don't use more than one time per week.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman