A facial mask is an exercise in transformation. We cover our skin in unappealing looking clay, mud or gunk. Then we rinse it off to reveal softer, smoother, cleaner skin. It is strangely relaxing and satisfying.

While I enjoy a good brand name facial mask, sometimes it is nice to make my own so I can customize it to my needs.

I recently tried Zakia’s Moroccan Clay Powder. You mix the clay with water to make a facial mask. I decided to take it a step farther.

As many of you know, I love Matcha green tea powder. I decided to mix in some lower grade, organic Matcha to benefit from the anti-oxidants and caffeine from the green tea. The Clay is great for cleansing and extraction and is rich in minerals.

Instead of water, I moistened the clay with soothing and beautifully scented floral water (rose water and orange flower water). I also added Argan oil and Rosehip oils for their rich vitamin content and moisturizing oils.

The result is a mask that looks a little gross, but smells amazing. It has a cooling and tightening effect on my skin. When I washed it off, it revealed soft, smooth and clean skin.

I included the full recipe…

DIY Matcha Moroccan Clay Mask Recipe

Ingredients:

• Ghassoul Clay Powder (I used Zakias Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Powder)
• Rosehip Oil (I used GoPure Naturals)
• Lower grade Matcha green tea powder (culinary grade works well, higher grade are wasted on a facial mask)
• optional: flower water (I used a rose water and orange flower water)
• optional: Argan Oil

Tools:

• Bowl
• Spatula and or spoon (do not use metal)

 

Instructions to Mix the Mask:

1. Put a scoop of clay and Matcha in the bowl
2. Stir in a little flowered water to moisten and thin the mix. (Just add a little to start, we still need to add the oils)
3. Add a about a tea-spoon each of Rosehip and/or Argan oil (I used both)
4. Stir with a non-metal spoon or spatula
5. Add a little more oil or liquid to thin to the desired consistency for your mask. If you added too much liquid, you can add a little more clay or Matcha

 

How to Apply The Cleansing & Moisturizing Mask:

1. Apply to clean face using a brush or your hands
2. Allow to dry, this mask is not pretty due to the mix of brown clay and green Matcha but it smells and feels good.
3. rinse off

Afterwards:

• After rinsing I like to use some flower water toner and my favorite serums (I use hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serum)
• My skin feels somewhat warm in the hours after use but does not look red like with some facial treatments (my nose looked a little red, but now otherwise). This is a treatment that can be done before a night out once you know how your skin reacts.

Additional Tips:

• I would strongly suggest doing a patch test. This mask is kind to my semi-sensitive skin but every one skin is individual and I know from experience it is not fun if you use an all over skin product that does not play well with your skin!
• This recipe works well without the Matcha as well.

 

Featured Products Used To Make This Mask:

 

Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Mask (250 ml)

“Moroccan Clay” is rich in minerals. Reported benefits include reducing dryness, improving skin clarity,  helping to extract impurities and unblock pores. It is also sometimes used as a hair treatment (I have not tried this yet!).

Here is what Zakia says about their Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Mask: 

“A weekly mask with natural and organic clay from deep inside the Ancient Atlas Mountains of Morocco are the perfect skin treatment for cleaning, detoxifying, toning and rejuvenating. A facial mask treatment made from Ghassoul clay can be relaxing and give your skin a new healthy glow. Ghassoul clay’s most impressive properties in skin improvement are its capacity of absorption and adsorption due to its high level of ion exchange. Ghassoul is a mineral rich, light brown clay that blends extremely well with water making its application to the face and skin a smooth and delightful experience. Use on skin and hair – it even makes for a fabulous shampoo; mix a small amount of powder in your favorite shampoo – wash and rinse. Super cleansing!”

Zakia sells a few different beauty products including an Argan Oil (another ingredient in this mask). Be sure to visit the Zakia Website to see their Moroccan Clay Powder, soaps and Argan Oil. According to their promotional materials, “Zakia’s Morocco was created by the co-founder, Zakia Mejdoubi-Haman. Zakia’s native country of Morocco is well known for the art of the Hammam and Oriental beauty treatments. ”

 

GoPure Naturals Rosehip Oil:

Rosehip oil is a wonderful moisturizing oil. It is rich in vitamins (A & C), antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Some reported benefits include evening skin tone, reducing scars and fine lines and moisturizing the skin. It is also rumored to be anti-inflamatory.

I personally like Rosehip oil because it smalls nice (kind of like light, “herby” roses) and is light enough that it absorbs quickly. I also like that it contains Vitamin C.  GoPure Naturals Rosehip Oil is cold-pressed, and organic

GoPure 100% Pure Rosehip Oil is available on Amazon, click here for product listing on Amazon.