Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask Project
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Four 8 oz. Jars
Project Description
This Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask is created by emulsifying oils with water, and then adding a mixture of dry ingredients like sea clay and spirulina powder.
The oils in this mask were chosen for their light texture and nourishing properties. squalane oil is an excellent moisturizer and absorbs quickly. The seaweed extract is dispersed in fractionated coconut oil, which is also light on the skin. They leave the skin feeling hydrated but not oily.
The mixture of kaolin clay and sea clay create a thick but spreadable texture that is not overly drying. This mask is good for normal and combination skin. If you have dry skin, you can use less clay as shown in the Lavender Face Mask Project. If you have oily skin, increase the amount of clay as shown in the Pumpkin and Clay Face Mask Project.
Spirulina powder is added for color and skin benefits – it’s an algae rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It has a deep green hue, which gives this face mask a beautiful color. If you’ve worked with it before, you know spirulina does have a fishy odor. We found the ginger essential oil in this recipe covered it up nicely.
You will need:
- Four 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
- 1 oz. Squalane Oil
- 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
- 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
- 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
- 5 oz. Kaolin Clay
- 2 oz. Sea Clay
- 0.4 oz. Spirulina Powder
- 3 mL Ginger Essential Oil
- 0.5 oz. Seaweed Extract
- 0.2 oz. Optiphen
Follow these steps:
1
In a medium container, measure 5 ounces of kaolin clay, 2 ounces of sea clay, and 0.4 ounces of spirulina powder. Mix them together thoroughly.
2
In a heat-safe container, combine 1.3 ounces of avocado oil, 1 ounce of squalane oil, 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50, and 1 ounce of Polawax. Heat the container in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until the waxes have fully melted. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot. Set aside.
3
In a separate large container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stove top) until it reaches about 160-170° F. Once the water reaches the correct temperature, some of it may evaporate. Remeasure and add more distilled water if necessary until you have 21.4 ounces of hot water.
4
Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be about 160° F. If the oil and wax have cooled, reheat in the microwave. Place the stick blender into the water and burp it to help 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 the water, oil, and waxes have begun to emulsify. Continue to pulse and stir for about a minute
5
Add heaping spoonfuls of the clay mixture and pulse the stick blender until combined.
6
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. Check the temperature of the mixture. Once it's about 130-140° F, add 0.2 ounces of Optiphen, 3 mL of ginger essential oil, and 0.5 ounces of seaweed extract. Stick blend (don’t forget to burp the stick blender) the ingredients until fully mixed.
7
Pour the mixture into the bail jars. Tap the jars on the counter to help get rid of bubbles. You can also spritz with alcohol to help get rid of bubbles. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to prevent condensation.
Once fully cooled, the mixture will be a thick, lotion-like texture. To use, apply a medium layer to dry, clean skin. Avoid the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit on the skin for at least 15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman, Kelsey Bray
Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask Project
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Four 8 oz. Jars
Project Description
This Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask is created by emulsifying oils with water, and then adding a mixture of dry ingredients like sea clay and spirulina powder.
The oils in this mask were chosen for their light texture and nourishing properties. squalane oil is an excellent moisturizer and absorbs quickly. The seaweed extract is dispersed in fractionated coconut oil, which is also light on the skin. They leave the skin feeling hydrated but not oily.
The mixture of kaolin clay and sea clay create a thick but spreadable texture that is not overly drying. This mask is good for normal and combination skin. If you have dry skin, you can use less clay as shown in the Lavender Face Mask Project. If you have oily skin, increase the amount of clay as shown in the Pumpkin and Clay Face Mask Project.
Spirulina powder is added for color and skin benefits – it’s an algae rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It has a deep green hue, which gives this face mask a beautiful color. If you’ve worked with it before, you know spirulina does have a fishy odor. We found the ginger essential oil in this recipe covered it up nicely.
You will need:
- Four 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
- 1 oz. Squalane Oil
- 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
- 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
- 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
- 5 oz. Kaolin Clay
- 2 oz. Sea Clay
- 0.4 oz. Spirulina Powder
- 3 mL Ginger Essential Oil
- 0.5 oz. Seaweed Extract
- 0.2 oz. Optiphen
Follow these steps:
1
In a medium container, measure 5 ounces of kaolin clay, 2 ounces of sea clay, and 0.4 ounces of spirulina powder. Mix them together thoroughly.
2
In a heat-safe container, combine 1.3 ounces of avocado oil, 1 ounce of squalane oil, 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50, and 1 ounce of Polawax. Heat the container in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until the waxes have fully melted. Be careful when removing the container, as it will be quite hot. Set aside.
3
In a separate large container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stove top) until it reaches about 160-170° F. Once the water reaches the correct temperature, some of it may evaporate. Remeasure and add more distilled water if necessary until you have 21.4 ounces of hot water.
4
Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be about 160° F. If the oil and wax have cooled, reheat in the microwave. Place the stick blender into the water and burp it to help 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 the water, oil, and waxes have begun to emulsify. Continue to pulse and stir for about a minute
5
Add heaping spoonfuls of the clay mixture and pulse the stick blender until combined.
6
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. Check the temperature of the mixture. Once it's about 130-140° F, add 0.2 ounces of Optiphen, 3 mL of ginger essential oil, and 0.5 ounces of seaweed extract. Stick blend (don’t forget to burp the stick blender) the ingredients until fully mixed.
7
Pour the mixture into the bail jars. Tap the jars on the counter to help get rid of bubbles. You can also spritz with alcohol to help get rid of bubbles. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to prevent condensation.
Once fully cooled, the mixture will be a thick, lotion-like texture. To use, apply a medium layer to dry, clean skin. Avoid the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit on the skin for at least 15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman, Kelsey Bray
