DIY Bentonite Clay Mask Recipe (To Detox)

Leave your skin soothed and nourished with this DIY bentonite clay mask recipe! With only three ingredients you can whip up an antibacterial, antifungal, and soothing homemade face mask perfect for acne breakouts and sensitive skin.

This DIY bentonite clay mask makes the perfect addition to your pampering routine (so does this peppermint foot cream!). Made from bentonite clay which is known for its detoxifying and healing properties as well as lavender essential oil and apple cider vinegar. 

I use this bentonite clay face mask once per month and have for years. It soothes inflamed skin and helps keep skin face feeling fresh and soft and not rundown (awesome on oily skin too!).

Bentonite Clay For Your Skin

It's been said that bentonite clay is a healing clay- and in my personal experience that's beyond true. Bentonite clay can help skin with:

• oily skin
• reduce redness and inflammation
• help detox the skin
• soothe red bumps

Bentonite clay has many uses and a lot of people ingest it as well as use it topically. Personally, it's one of my go-to remedies for red bumps or hives. I've used it multiple times and it works wonders. It also works nicely in something like a detox bath for kids.

Essentially, it is a detox clay. 

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe?

You would think that the clay and apple cider vinegar would cancel each other out. One being very acidic. However, apple cider vinegar is no basic vinegar. It has been quoted to do almost everything- which you should probably take with a grain of salt 😉

That aside, I love this vinegar and do find that it reduces inflammation. I use it to combat both digestive issues, heartburn, and skin inflammations. But it also has a ton of benefits for the skin.

Apple cider vinegar can:

• help soothe sunburns
• works as a toner
• is antibacterial and antifungal
• can ease redness of bug bites

This is why I use it for this DIY detox clay mask. With so many soothing properties I've found it works wonders on inflamed skin.

Note: I can't stress enough that all skin is different. Always do a test patch with the bentonite clay mask before slathering it onto your face. In some cases, it can cause redness.

How To Make It

1. Mix all ingredients until a thick paste forms.
2. Spread onto the face and let sit for 7-10 minutes. Make sure the mask does not dry fully (or cake on).
3. Using a warm cloth remove the mask and apply your favorite lotion

Adding Essential Oils

This bentonite clay face mask is lavender-based. Obviously, the smell of lavender is super calming (I use it a lot in our sleepy time spray!) but I also use it to soothe any inflammation or redness.

I'm sure there are many other essential oils you can choose but lavender essential oils have worked for me time and time again to reduce irritation and inflammation of acne or "random red bumps" on my face and skin.

Using Essential Oils Safely

As always, my suggestion when it comes to essential oils is to do your research before using them. This DIY bentonite clay mask works just beautifully without essential oil as well.

When it comes to the dilution rate of essential oils, most people agree that 5% is a good place for adults (and 0.5-1% for kids). Which is about 10 drops per one tablespoon of carrier oil (this website states you can use up to 20 drops per tablespoon).

However, this DIY clay mask doesn't contain a carrier oil and it is placed on your face. Thus, I tend to err on the side of caution and only use 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil (my preferred brand of essential oils being Plant Therapy because they have a wicked kid-safe line!).

Important Teaching Tips

One thing to note with this mask is that you've got to use pure ingredients- only then will the bentonite clay mask be effective.

Meaning, make sure you use bentonite clay and not a knock-off. Likewise, look for pure, raw, un-strained apple cider vinegar (the one with the strings and mother still in the bottle).

Not sure where to grab ingredients? Here's a roundup list of my favorite products (and brands) for DIY beauty products and where to buy them!

Another thing to make note of is using apple cider vinegar on the skin. I've used this lavender clay face mask a million times now and some of those times I used too much AVC. This caused some redness on my face which scared the shit out of my at first but went down in about 20 minutes.

Basically, I made the mask too vinegar-based. Given, when I make it myself I don't measure the ingredients so make sure you use the DIY clay face mask recipe.

The recipe below is what I personally use but, some people's skin doesn't enjoy ACV (apple cider vinegar) and the potency of the vinegar will irritate it. Do a test patch (not on your face) before using the mask. This is especially important when using essential oils.

Also, know that this bentonite clay mask can be used effectively as a foot mask as well (followed by this whipped peppermint foot lotion).

Fun disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a herbalist, or even an EO specialist. Consult with a specialist before using anything DIY.

The Texture Of The Face Mask

This DIY face mask is pretty thick. It is not at all runny. Bentonite clay absorbs so while you can add more water, it still makes a bit of a paste. Personally, I like my face masks thick because then it forces me to take time rubbing it on.

This particular detox face mask goes on really well and is super soft as you're pressing it into your skin.

How Long Do I Leave The Mask On?

I leave the mask on for about 7-10 minutes. Believe it or not, you do NOT want the clay mask to fully dry on your skin! This causes the skin to dry out with it.

You want to wash the face mask off while it's still a bit wet.

Once it has set, use warm water to rinse it off. Take care not to scrub it off your face roughly, your skin is delicate! Go slow and use a warm washcloth to gently wipe away the clay mask.

Can You Store It?

I have never actually tried to store the mask (insane, I know!). This face mask recipe makes enough for two so I usually do it with my four-year-old and have never had reason to store it.

But, I will try! And I'll keep everyone updated when I do.

Update: The clay mask keeps in a ziplock bag or sealed container for roughly two weeks.

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