This year, I set out to create a natural skin care treatment for my dull and dry winter skin. So I took to my crafting space to work on a mask and scrub that was brightening and cleansing. After several iterations, I created one that I’m quite excited about, and I think you all are going to enjoy it, too.

When creating new skin care recipes, I generally formulate them with ingredients I can use for other things. I especially like it when the core ingredients can be used internally for health and wellness, as in this recipe. Here are the ingredients that inspired this recipe, along with reasons they are good for the skin and other ways to use them.

Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) 

These delightful little berries are chock full of antioxidants and are known to be brightening for the skin. Bilberries also have tannins, which help to tighten and tone the skin. In addition to the external benefits, bilberries are a tasty and nutritious culinary ingredient. You can use them to make herbal syrups, add them to smoothies, or even make jams and jellies.

Rhassoul Clay

This particular clay mixes into recipes easily and feels silky smooth when applied to the skin. Like all clays, rhassoul has natural cleansing and “pulling” actions that penetrate deeply into the pores to remove oils and built-up dirt. I have sensitive skin (and the beginnings of maturing skin), and I find this one to be the best for my skin. Other uses for rhassoul clay include deep cleansing foot masks, dry shampoos, and DIY scalp treatments.

Honey

As a skincare ingredient, honey helps by hydrating and softening the skin. It also contains natural antioxidants that, like bilberries, are great for maturing skin.

Of all of the ingredients in this recipe, honey is by far the most versatile. It can be used in place of sugar in many culinary recipes, as a base for herbal electuaries and pastilles, or eaten right from the jar for sore throats.

Argan Oil

As one of the most infamous oils for natural skin care and hair care, argan oil is often called “liquid gold.” It’s a nourishing oil that has a light and silky texture. It is also considered a “dry oil,” meaning it does not leave a greasy feel. The addition of argan in this recipe balances out the drying ingredients of this firming and brightening mask.

Argan oil also makes an amazing leave-in conditioner and helps to keep hair smooth and shiny without adding a “greasy” look. The oil is also a key ingredient in hand moisturizers and cuticle oils since it absorbs quickly.

Vitamin E Oil

Not only is vitamin E fantastic for the skin, but it’s also a natural preservative in natural body care formulations. Did you know that Vitamin E is actually an antioxidant and works to slow oxidation?

This ingredient is great to have on hand for anyone making natural skin care recipes. It can be used in just about any body-care recipe and can even be taken internally as a supplement.

Blue Chamomile Essential Oil

This precious essential oil is a luxury ingredient but is incredibly good for the skin, particularly for mature skin.  I have a few “spoil myself” ingredients, and while this one definitely isn’t “cheap,” blue chamomile essential oil brings me joy and is a gift I have decided to give myself.

This high-end essential oil is also helpful for bug bites, minor cuts, or abrasions. Luckily, you only need a few drops, so this oil lasts quite a while. 

When added all together, these ingredients help to support healthy skin, especially for those with maturing skin. This formulation also acts as an exfoliant and removes dead skin on the epidermis, revealing fresh and vibrant skin in its wake. Now that you have the foundational information about how to make this recipe, it’s time to get started!

Brightening Face Mask

Makes enough for about 5 masks.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dried organic bilberries (or 1/6 cup of bilberry powder)
• 1/2 tsp. Rhassoul clay
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. raw, local honey
• 1 tsp. organic argan oil
• 3 drops Non-GMO vitamin E oil
• 3 drops organic blue chamomile essential oil

Directions

1. Place dried bilberries in a blender and set to high speed for about 30 seconds, or until well powdered. 
2. Filter powder through a sieve to ensure a fine grain.
3. Mix rhassoul clay into berry powder until all dry ingredients are well blended. 
4. Add remaining ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. 
5. Let sit for 3 or more hours to soften and meld the ingredients together.

To Use

• Lightly wet face.
• With a clean utensil, scoop 1-2 Tbsp. out and massage into face. 
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Wash off with warm water and once cleared off, splash face with cold water to close pores.
• Follow up with white rose hydrosol or toner of choice. (Optional)
• Complete the routine with moisturizer of choice. 

Pro Tips

• Bilberry powder is hard to find so you’ll likely have to powder your own. That is the most time-consuming part of this recipe. Since I use this mask frequently, I will powder enough for several batches and then store it powdered. This will save me from having to wash the blender each time. 
• This recipe uses dried bilberries. If you have access to fresh berries, you can make a similar version but know that you will have to use the mask right away. The water content in fresh ingredients does not allow your body care recipes to be safely stored. 
• Always use sterilized utensils when making homemade body-care recipes. It’s also important to use sterilized spoons to scoop out the mixture when using.
• I like to use this as a weekly, but you can choose a frequency that suits your personal needs.
• The shelf life of this recipe is about 3-5 weeks. While there are no water-based ingredients, I always err on the side of caution when it comes to the shelf life of DIY recipes. 
  
  

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+ Printable Homemade Face Mask Template