In my quest to be as organic as possible I’ve began eliminating a lot of my former favorite skincare products. Many of the products I once used were housed in plastic or filled with unnecessary toxins that would likely do more harm than good in the long run. I started researching different herbs, florals, and natural (meaning: from the earth) products that I can use for skincare and began concocting my own blends to tend to my skin.
The face mask that I’m about to put you on to has been a Godsend for my skin and is so easy to put together as it’s only four (100% organic!) ingredients. I started using this face mask once a week for the last two months or so and in that time I have eradicated any blemishes. Typically, about a week or so before I menstruate I would get a few hormonal pimples around my chin or jawline, however, during my last two luteal phases since using this mask – no pimples!
As a reminder: I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be! Any claims in this article are based on my personal experience and research. Please read my full medical disclaimer before engaging with my content, suggestions or anecdotes. Also, as a reminder, this post contains affiliate links to certain products and I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you make a purchase based off of my wonderful suggestions.
What You’ll Need:
One Organic Avocado
Raw Manuka Honey (I love this one on Etsy which comes sourced directly from a small beekeeper surrounded by the Native Forest from the Pukaha Mount Bruce Conservation Preserve in New Zealand – the listing even has pictures of the forest where the bees collect their nectar!)
Organic Sea Kelp (I source mine from this shop on Etsy)
Organic Dried Hibiscus Flowers (I source mine from the same shop as above on Etsy)
Why These Ingredients?
Avocado
is extremely moisturizing for the skin making it a powerful moisturizer for dry, chapped or flaky skin. Studies have shown that the oils in avocado can penetrate the skin barrier better than most plant oils such as olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil (typical ingredients found in skincare). Avocado is also rich in antioxidants – specifically carotenoids, and polyphenols (*source).
Carotenoids are especially important for our skin because there are properties in them which help to specifically protect our skin from erythema (thermal damage) as well as assist with anti aging. According to the NIH, “topical application of antioxidant (AO) substances such as carotenoids is closely related to skin protection from environmental factors and anti-aging” and “interventional studies in humans with carotenoid-rich diet have shown its photoprotective effects on the skin, mostly by decreasing the sensitivity to UV radiation-induced erythema”.
Polyphenols are high in antioxidants which help fight free radicals as well as prevents them from harming our cells. According to the NIH, “Dietary polyphenols have gained considerable attention for the prevention of UV-induced skin photodamage including the risk of skin cancer.”
I don’t know about you, but, if I’m putting something on my face I totally want it to contain properties that have been known to reduce the risk of skin cancer which is why I chose avocado as the ‘base’ of this organic face mask.
Raw Manuka Honey
is extremely high in antimicrobials which is why I chose to add it into my face mask. I like to consider it a really delicious facial cleanser. According to the NIH, Manuka Honey (like polyphenols), “can inhibit the process of carcinogenesis by controlling different molecular processes, and progression of cancer cells.”
I like to use Manuka honey as opposed to regular honey because of the presence of GO (glyoxal) and MGO (methylglyoxal) which are said to be responsible for Manuka Honey’s antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Also according to the NIH (on Manuka honey), “In addition to bacterial growth inhibition, glyoxal (GO) and MGO from Manuka honey can enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration by their immunomodulatory property.”
Anything that is antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, which has properties that can enhance tissue growth, is exactly what I want in my organic face mask.
Organic Kelp
or Ascophyllum nodosum, is a marine ingredient that is rich in iodine, iron, calcium and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E and can also be used as a salt substitute in foods. These properties make it a great natural exfoliant while at the same time also being very soothing and gentle on sensitive skin.
According to the NIH, “[ascophyllum nodosum] has been shown to provide an antioxidant and photoprotective activity” and “they have a free radical scavenging capacity, which may contribute to ameliorating skin inflammation”.
Do you see where I’m going here? While this organic face mask only contains four ingredients – they’re all packed with natural (meaning: from the earth) antioxidants and who wouldn’t want to use sea kelp on their face mask if it can help support the reversal of skin inflammation?
Organic Hibiscus Flower
is something that my friend, Tasha, put me on to for my face. There are so many beauty products with hibiscus flower or essences in them that its funny that it had never occurred to me to put hibiscus flowers into my skincare routine. I researched a bit and discovered that, like Manuka honey, avocado and sea kelp, hibiscus is also high in antioxidants but is also a great addition for retaining moisture.
According to the Green People, “hibiscus can also be anti-aging by increasing the skins elasticity and one of the antioxidants, anthocyanocides, present in hibiscus have a slight astringent property which can help to reduce the size of pores as well as create the appearance of smoother complexion.” The hibiscus flowers can also have a slight exfoliating property, similar to the sea kelp, which assists with age spots but also stimulates a fresh looking complexion – a perfect final touch to this easy, DIY organic face mask.
How to Use the Mask
To use this mask I mash the avocado as smooth as I can – trying to work out all of the lumps and clumps. I also put the dried hibiscus flowers into a coffee grinder to turn it into a powder.
I then add four tablespoons of avocado into a bowl and mix it with one tablespoon of the sea kelp, one teaspoon of the hibiscus flowers and one and a half tablespoons of Manuka honey.
Next, I use a spoon to apply the mask to my face, chin, neck and chest and leave it on for at least 20 minutes (I usually aim for longer). If these are new ingredients to you, I’d suggest doing a patch test on your hand to see how your skin reacts to the ingredients.
Then, I hop in the shower to use whatever is leftover from the mask as an exfoliant to cleanse my arms, legs and body. Washing it off of my face and body with warm water and a wash cloth.
Lastly, I use a blend of jojoba oil and magnesium oil as a moisturizer all over my face and body to seal in all of the ingredients from the face mask!
Here are all of the items I suggest in this post:
Here are some cute measuring cups and spoons to create your own masks:
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