DIY Bentonite Clay Face Mask Recipes for Acne-Free Skin

Clay masks are great for the skin!

Clay aids in natural detoxification. It helps to draw out impurities, making your skin appear radiant and healthy. Healing clay contains various minerals that make them useful for hair and skin treatments.⁽¹⁾

Clay masks can help make your skin supple and youthful. Applying clay topically promotes collagen synthesis, leading to an increase in the number of collagen fibers.⁽²⁾

Skin Benefits of Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is an incredible ingredient for skincare purposes and is popularly used in beauty masks.

The highly colloidal alkaline bentonite clay deep-cleanse your pores and leaves your skin looking soft, clear, and fresh. Due to its absorbent quality, it removes excess oil or sebum from your skin and helps unclog and tighten large pores. This makes bentonite clay beauty recipes highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin.⁽³⁾

Here are 2 homemade bentonite clay face masks recipes you must try if you have an acne prone skin.

#1 DIY Bentonite Clay and Oatmeal Mask
#2 DIY Bentonite Clay and Green Tea Mask

DIY Bentonite Clay and Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal is good for the skin as it comes with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains saponins that help cleanse and moisturize the skin.⁽⁴⁾ The bentonite clay and oatmeal mask also contains tea tree oil, which provides antibacterial effects to fight off acne-causing bacteria.⁽⁵⁾

DIY Bentonite Clay and Green Tea Mask

The bentonite clay and green tea mask is also effective in treating acne. Green tea contains tannins and powerful antioxidants to maintain a glowing and young-looking skin. Some evidence is available to support the potential effectiveness of tea polyphenols in a topical formulation in reducing sebum secretion and treating acne.⁽⁶⁾ Aloe vera gel soothes the skin and reduces inflammation. It is good for healing acne, fading blemishes, and reducing skin discoloration.⁽⁷⁾

Recipe #1: DIY Bentonite Clay and Oatmeal Face Mask

Things you will need:

• Bentonite clay
• Ground oatmeal
• Water
• Tea tree essential oil
• Nonmetal spoon or spatula
• Nonmetal measuring spoons
• Nonmetal mixing bowl

Steps

1. Put 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay into the mixing bowl.

2. Add 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal.

3. Add a few teaspoons of water.

4. Add 2 to 4 drops of tea tree essential oil.

5. Mix well and add more water, if required, until you get a smooth paste.

Your anti-acne bentonite clay and oatmeal mask is now ready for use.

Recipe #2: DIY Bentonite Clay and Green Tea Face Mask

Things you will need:

• Bentonite clay
• Green tea
• Aloe vera gel
• Nonmetal spoon or spatula
• Nonmetal measuring spoons
• Nonmetal mixing bowl

Steps

1. Put 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay into the mixing bowl.

2. Add a few tablespoons of freshly brewed green tea.

3. Add ½ tablespoon of aloe vera gel.

4. Mix it thoroughly and add more green tea (little by little), if required, to get a smooth paste.

Your DIY homemade bentonite clay and green tea face mask is now ready for use.

How to use a Bentonite Clay Face Mask

1. Wash your face.
2. Spread the mask on your face and neck.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes or until it dries completely.
4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
5. Use it once or twice a week.

Additional Tips

• Gray-or cream-colored bentonite clay is preferred. The clay in the pictures above is brown due to its high iron content.
• When preparing a bentonite clay beauty mask, use nonmetal utensils as metal can contaminate the clay and make the mask less effective. You may use plastic, glass, wood, or ceramic utensils instead.
• Grind instant oatmeal for your DIY bentonite and oatmeal mask in a blender, food processor, or a coffee grinder.
• To prepare green tea for the DIY bentonite clay and green tea face mask, steep a green tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes.
• Another easy way to prepare a bentonite clay mask is by simply mixing sufficient water with 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay. You can also add rose water to it for added benefits.

Due to their highly effective purifying properties, these masks can be too strong for dry skin. No matter what your skin type is, do not forget to moisturize after using these clay masks in order to keep your skin fresh and healthy.

Resources:

1. Valenti DM, Silva J, Teodoro WR, Velosa AP, Mello SB. Effect of topical clay application on the synthesis of collagen in skin: an experimental study. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22340693. Published March 2012.
2. MOOSAVI M. Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review. Iranian Journal of Public Health. http://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/10989. Published September 2017.
3. Meier L, Stange R, Michalsen A, Uehleke B. Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne–results of a prospective, observational pilot study. Forsch Komplementarmedizin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585103. Published 2012.
4. Malhi HK, Tu J, Riley TV, Kumarasinghe SP, Hammer KA. Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne; a 12 week uncontrolled, open-label phase II pilot study. The Australasian Journal of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27000386. Published August 2017.
5. Ilnytska O, Kaur S, Chon S, et al. Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27272074. Published June 1, 2016.
6. Saric S, Notay M, Sivamani RK. Green Tea and Other Tea Polyphenols: Effects on Sebum Production and Acne Vulgaris. Antioxidants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28036057. Published December 29, 2016.
7. Feily A, Namazi MR. Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review. Current neurology and neuroscience reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19218914. Published February 2009.