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Masking your skin is the time when you nourish it and love on it a little bit extra! You mask your skin after a thourough and sometimes deep cleansing. Often times after a good exfoliating treatment. When your pores are open and ready to receive a vitamin packed masking treatment. Since your pores and primed and ready to receive, be selective about what you feed them.
You'll want to apply your mask with your fingers or a facial brush (or a soft small paint brush that you only use on your face). Choose th best tool for the masking paste you're using. After masking, you will want to follow up with a quick cleanse, to remove any excess residue. You can use your favorite simple cleanser. Always finish with a good toner or moisturizer.
Keep reading for some simple one or two ingredient treatments.
So......Tumeric!
As you've probably figured out, if it makes a good exfoliator, then it makes a great mask too! For all of the reasons that you want to apply tumeric topically as an exfoliating agent, you will want to include it in your masking treatmwnts, as well. Any of the exfoliating treatments using tumeric would also work nicely as masking treatments. Just make the concistency thicker and allow them to sit for several minutes (10-30) before rinsing. For your masking treatments, you'll want to make the concistency to be much thicker. You are looking for a paste. Something that won't slide off and run while you are marinating. You want it thick, but not to think. Ideally you want something you can spread in a nice, even, thin layer.
Neem Powder & Neem Oil Mask
When I have a stubborn pimple or area of inflammation and I am not getting the results I'm looking for with my normal methods, I bring out the BIG GUNS! The potent and powerful neem mask! It's made from Neem powder, Neam oil, a little rose water and a dash of Tea Tree Oil (all of which you can buy from your local Indian grocery food store or ordered online).
Neem is a fantastic natural astringent but it can be harsh so use it sparingly. Neem can be very effective at keeping skin clear and free of break outs, inflammation and excess oil. The Rose Water is hydrating and is great for balance in this mask. The tea Tree Oil packs a powerful anti-microbial, anti-bacterial slap for yo' mama!
Take all of the ingredients and mix everything up to make a paste. Not too loose, because you'll want it to sit for a while- 10-30 minutes. During that time you can write in your journal.
Once your face is done cooking, rinse very thoroughly. You're going to want to complete an extra rinse and finish with a cleansing. Making sure that you get all of the residue and particles out of your lashes and perimeter of your face, around your nose, etc. You may find the mask in some interesting places.
When you are clean and clear, tone, preferably with a natural toner. Go ahead and use the Rose Water due to the hydrating properties. It will help counter-balanc any drying from the Neem Powder. You can also use Aloe Vera Juice. Now moisturize.
By the way- Neem Oil stinks! So don't say I didn't warn you.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay is composes of ashes from volcanoes. This clay is called The Healing Clay. Use it to detoxify and clear your skin of harmful poisons and bacteria.
Bentonite Clay is known to have an abundance of minerals including calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, coper, iron, and potassium, making it highly nourishing for your skin. It's even helpful for clearing eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
To mask with Bentonite, combine the clay with water. Apply liberally to skin and allow to dry. The clay will bind to any bacteria and toxins living on the surface of your skin and within your pores to extraxt the toxins.
This mask will help to reduce the break-outs, blemishes and alleviate redness. It also fights allergic reactions to irritating lotions or facial cleansers and even helps to soothe poison ivy.
Due to Bentonite Clay's ability to act as a topical antibiotic treatment, it can be helpful for calming skin infections and speeding up the healing time of minor cuts and wounds, even when prescription antibiotics have not been able to help solve the problem.
Emu Oil
Emu Oil is original to the Aboriginal culture and has been used for centuries. Emu oil is rich in fatty acids, including Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9. It is also noncomedogenic (won't clog your pores). Used topically, it has numerous benefits for the skin.
Many moisturizers only work on the epidermis of your skin, which are the DEAD top layers. Because of the size of the molecules of most oils, they won't penetrate all the way down to the dermis, which are the LIVE layers underneath. Emu Oil has smaller molecule which will make it to your fatty dermis layer, providing nourishment and protection at a deeper level.
Wrinkles and fine lines diminish, spots from aging can be reduced and healthy, new cells make your complexion look fresh and radiant. Your skin's elasticity will improve as well as its clarity.
This oil is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, so it is ideal for combating acne. Pimples are caused when bacteria gets clogged in your pores, which causes swelling and inflammation. The healing properties in Emu Oil help eliminate bacteria in your skin, preventing break-outs and blemishes.
Generously add Emu oil to youur masking mixtures. Since it absorbs so quickly and comletely, it even works great as a light stand alone moisturizer & night time treatment. Don't be afraid to mix a few drops in with your creamy moisturizer or hair conditioner.
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