DIY Turmeric Clay Face Mask

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family, and is usually used in dry powder form. Its commonly added to dishes like curry and has been used in Chinese medicine for years. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is an anti-oxidant and is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. This Turmeric Clay Face Mask recipe harnesses the properties of this powerful spice, along with luxurious ingredients like carrot seed essential oil and carrot extract. They’re a blast to make, and are a great way to get creative and give your skin a fresh start to the new year!

This clay mask was specifically designed for normal to oily skin types. It contains kaolin clay, which is fine-grained and gentle on the skin. Carrot extract is high in vitamins A and E, and is thought to soothe the skin. Carrot seed essential oil is rich in vitamins and carotene. It has a distinct herby smell that’s not everybody’s favorite, but this recipe uses a small amount so it’s not overwhelming.

I was a bit worried this mask would leave my skin yellow. Luckily, it washes of clean with no staining. On a personal note, I have a bit of redness to my skin and I felt this mask really made a difference. It could be the yellow color of the turmeric neutralizing that redness, but hey, I’ll take it! As always, if you’re selling this product, you cannot claim it cures redness or any skin condition.

Speaking of medical claims and skin care products, you’ll find plenty of claims online that turmeric treats various medical conditions. If you are selling a product that contains turmeric (like this mask!), be careful about making medical claims. If your product claims to treat the skin or body in anyway, your product is considered a drug and needs testing by the FDA. Learn more about cosmetics and medical claims here.

A few notes about recipe substitutions and changes:

• Polawax Emulsifying Wax is a highly reliable and strong emulsifier. It could be substituted for the generic version, Emulsifying Wax, if you prefer, although this recipe was not tested with Emulsifying Wax. Due to the clay in the recipe, we splurged and used Polawax Emulsifying Wax to avoid any chance of separation.
• This recipe calls for avocado and meadowfoam oil. Other oils can be used instead if you prefer; we recommend staying with liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Changing the total amount of oil in the recipe will change the overall texture of the mask.
• Because this recipe is essentially a lotion and contains a large amount of water, a preservative is necessary to avoid mold and bacterial growth. We chose Optiphen, but other water soluble preservatives will work. Learn more about preservatives here.
• Increase the total amount of clay if you want it to be better suited for oily skin, or decrease the amount to make it better for dry skin. Decreasing the amount of clay may create a thinner product.
• If you prefer to use different clays, feel free to swap them. Clays have different absorbing properties, which will affect how it feels on the skin. Learn which clay is right for your skin.
• If you have very sensitive skin, fragrance and essential oils can be irritating. Omit from the recipe if you prefer.
• Carrot extract can be substituted with a different extract if you prefer.

What You’ll Need:
Four 8 oz. Bail Jars 
21.4 oz. Distilled Water
1 oz. Meadowfoam Oil
1.3 oz. Avocado Oil 
1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emsulifier
6 oz. Kaolin Clay
0.2 oz. Turmeric Powder
2 mL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
0.5 oz. Carrot Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen
*Note: Meadowfoam Oil has been discontinued. You can supplement the recipe with more avocado oil (use 2.3 ounces of avocado oil) or use another lightweight liquid oil, like green tea seed oil or chia seed oil. 

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EQUIPMENT PREP: Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your mask. Your products must be as free of germs, bacteria, and microbes as possible. To be safe, bleach water all your utensils.

CLAY PREP: In a small separate container, measure 6 ounces of kaolin clay.

ONE: In a heat-safe container, combine the avocado oil, meadowfoam oil, BTMS-50 and 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.

TWO: In a separate large container, heat the 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.

THREE: Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be about 160° F. If the oil and wax has cooled, place back into the microwave until fully melted. 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.

FOUR: Begin adding heaping spoonfuls of the kaolin clay and pulsing the stick blender until combined. Continue to add the clay to the mixture and blending in small amounts until all the clay is added.

FIVE: Continue stick blending for about one to two 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 the mixture is about 130-140°F, add the Optiphen, carrot seed essential oil and carrot extract. Stick blend (don’t forget to burp the stick blender!) the ingredients in until fully mixed.

SIX: Add the turmeric powder and stick blend until completely mixed in. Continue to stick blend for several more minutes, just to make sure the ingredients are fully emulsified.

SEVEN: Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If you find you have a lot of bubbles on the top, you can spritz the top of the containers with alcohol to help get rid of some of them. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to avoid condensation.

Once fully cooled, the mixture will have become 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 about 10-15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer.

DIY Turmeric Clay Face Mask

Soap Queen

This Turmeric Clay Mask harnesses the skin-loving properties of turmeric and is great for normal skin types.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• Four 8 oz. Bail Jars
• 21.4 oz. Distilled Water
• 1 oz. Meadowfoam Oil
• 1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
• 1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
• 0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emsulifier
• 6 oz. Kaolin Clay
• 0.2 oz. Turmeric Powder
• 2 mL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 0.5 oz. Carrot Extract
• 0.2 oz. Optiphen

Instructions

 

EQUIPMENT PREP: Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your mask. Your products must be as free of germs, bacteria, and microbes as possible. To be safe, bleach water all your utensils.

CLAY PREP: In a small separate container, measure 6 ounces of kaolin clay. Have turmeric nearby.

• In a heat-safe container, combine the avocado oil, meadowfoam oil, BTMS-50 and 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.
• In a separate large container, heat the 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.
• Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be about 160° F. If the oil and wax has cooled, place back into the microwave until fully melted. 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.
• Begin adding heaping spoonfuls of the kaolin clay and pulsing the stick blender until combined. Continue to add the clay to the mixture and blending in small amounts until all the clay is added.
• Continue stick blending for about one to two 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 the mixture is about 130-140°F, add the Optiphen, carrot seed essential oil and carrot extract. Stick blend (don’t forget to burp the stick blender!) the ingredients in until fully mixed.
• Add the turmeric powder, and stick blend until completely mixed in. Continue to stick blend for several more minutes, just to make sure the ingredients are fully emulsified.
• Pour the mixture into the bail jars. If you find you have a lot of bubbles on the top, you can spritz the top of the containers with alcohol to help get rid of some of them. Allow the containers to cool for several hours with the lid open to avoid condensation. Once fully cooled, the mixture will have become a thick, lotion-like texture. We found that the top of the mask did form a bit of a skin.
• To use, apply a medium layer to dry, clean skin. Avoid the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit on the skin for about 10-15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off. There is no need to wash the skin after, but you can if you prefer.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!