Looking after our skin is something that sometimes gets pushed to the side. We all live very busy lives and at times the last thing we want to do is use a bunch of different products morning or night (or both) to look after our skin. It just sometimes is not a high priority.
However, it should be! We only get one skin and we should be doing everything we can to look after it.
Face masks are something that have been around for a very long time and there are many different types on the market these days and each different one will promise different results.
The great thing about face masks is that there are several different types that you can make at home with your own natural ingredients and achieve great results.
One face mask that we love is one that is made with activated charcoal.
What is a face mask?
A face mask is a thick, creamy paste that is applied to the face and left on for a number of minutes before washing off.
The face mask is applied to the skin in order to assist in cleansing, purifying or smoothing processes.
What are the benefits of a face mask?
There are a number of great benefits of using a face mask which can include refining skin pores, increasing hydration to the skin, diminish fine lines and helping to tone the skin.
Different ingredients can help with providing different results and it is important to check which ingredients are in your face mask before using it to ensure that it is going to achieve what you are looking for. The same goes with when you are making your own face masks, use ingredients that will focus on the areas you want to improve.
What is activated charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a fine black powder that is being used in a lot of beauty and health products these days. When used in skincare products, activated charcoal is used to bind to the dirt and oil in your skin and help to remove them from the pores.
Activated charcoal helps to give your skin and pores a good deep clean and it is recommended to do a deep clean one to two times a week to ensure that the skin is cleansed and healthy.
Ingredients to make an activated charcoal mask:
- 1/3 cup of coconut oil
- 1T activated charcoal powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
Mix all of your ingredients together in a jar and seal with an airtight lid.
When ready to apply, using your fingertips or a brush, apply a thick layer onto the skin and leave for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water.
When making your mask, make sure that you are mixing the charcoal on an old towel or in an area where you are not worried about staining – due to the black coloring of the charcoal it can cause stains to materials or benchtops.
Use your activated charcoal mask once a week to ensure your pores are free of dirt and oils.
Activated charcoal has many health benefits and using it in skincare is just one way that you can start to include it in your health and well-being routines.
Where to buy activated charcoal powder? N-essentials has a range of pack sizes to choose from. N-essentials has many other DIY skincare ingredients that you can use to make your own skin-friendly products. Browse our online store for the latest!