Health

DIY Seaweed Face Mask

My kids are now used to seeing strange colored things on my face. Homemade face masks, like this probiotic yogurt facial mask, are great for hydrating and nourishing your skin. The downside is that you have to use it right away. However, this seaweed face mask can be stored as a powder and mixed as needed to add to your skincare routine.

It is full of antioxidants and superfood ingredients that help remove impurities from the skin. Seaweed face mask reduces the appearance of fine lines by increasing collagen. Who cares if you look like the Hulk?

Seaweed Face Mask Ingredients

This mask contains kelp and spirulina seaweed powder. We also added French green clay (also known as sea clay) for a purifying effect. Plus, clay goes well with the green theme. You can also add some essential oils to get additional benefits and help improve the scent. Because it is a seaweed mask, it may have a slightly fishy smell!

French Green Clay

French green clay was originally mined in France and comes from ancient mud layers beneath the sea. This makes it a rich source of nutrients. It is often used in face masks due to its cleansing and exfoliating effects. This is a great choice if you have normal, combo or oily skin type.

This clay gets its green color from kelp, algae, and iron oxide, depending on where it is mined. It is also rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. French green clay has a purifying effect and is also used to remove lead and heavy metals from wastewater. This clay is also great for acne-prone skin due to its acne-busting drawing and antibacterial properties.

If you have more sensitive or drier skin, you may want to consider adding a little oil to your clay face mask. Another option is to switch to kaolin clay, which is good for dry skin. And for extra moisturizing, you can always use a face mask with homemade lotion.

Spirulina and Kelp Powder

This is why we make seaweed face masks. Spirulina is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and is even used by astronauts on space missions. It is rich in protein, iron, and antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Although not technically a plant (it was recently reclassified as a bacterium), spirulina comes from single-celled algae.

Kelp powder is another superfood ingredient in this mask. It is rich in vitamins K, A, B-12, calcium, iron, iodine, and magnesium. Over 70 trace minerals can also be found in algae such as kelp. Kelp contains antioxidants that help reduce redness and prevent skin damage. Plus, it's a great skin moisturizer.

Customize your face mask

Seaweed mixes well with oil and water-based ingredients because it contains a very wide range of nutrients and minerals. However, as we learned in middle school science class, water and oil do not mix. But this is not a bad thing as it gives us options.

If your skin needs a little more moisture, choose a carrier oil or plain yogurt for your seaweed face mask. You can also use aloe vera gel, hydrosol, or plain water. Adding a little glycerin to the liquid is also good for your skin. If you're new to hydrosols, here are a few different options and how they affect your skin: Hydrosols are the liquid left over after distilling essential oils (and make great toners!).

rose hydrosol – Improves signs of aging and restores skin tone.
Tea Tree Hydrosol – Soothes redness, irritation and removes blemishes. Restores damaged skin.
Helichrysum Hydrosol – Cleanses and balances the skin, reduces swelling and inflammation. Promotes skin healing.
lavender hydrosol – Soothes both skin and mood. It helps with all types of skin irritation, from redness and itching to irritation and blemishes.
Calendula hydrosol – Calendula hydrosol is a good overall choice for any skin irritation or inflammation.

essential oil

This is optional, but will help improve the scent and add more skin benefits. Some good choices include: