Cleansing Lavender DIY Bentonite Face Mask for Acne

Struggling with acne, pimples, and blemishes? Luckily for you, there’s a natural solution to your problem: cleansing bentonite clay face mask!

Both effective and budget-friendly, this Aztec mask helps to minimize and eliminate acne and pimples with regular use. The best part? You can easily whip it up in a minute with only a few ingredients!

It has helped me reduce and clear acne in the past. It may do the same for you!

Let’s get messy!

Okay, let me begin by saying that this mask contains only four ingredients (two of which are optional), but don’t be fooled by its minimalism!

In fact, this mask is so effective, that it has been featured in both Glamour and The Sun. It feels good to know that I’m not the only one hyped over clay masks and making concoctions in my kitchen!

Why does this mask give results, you wonder? We’ll talk more about ingredients below, but the star of the recipe is bentonite clay. It’s a powerful healing and cleansing clay. I’ve used it as long as I can remember and it’s been a staple in my natural beauty cabinet.

Bentonite clay has saved my skin, my health, and even my hair on various occasions at different stages in my life. It’s a love that’s never-ending.

Combined with a few other yet simple ingredients, this facial mask

1000% vegan

Completely natural

Purging and cleansing

Easy to make

Exfoliating

Free of any harmful chemicals

Detoxifying (wave pimples, acne, dirt, and excess sebum goodbye!)

PS: if you’re looking for a bentonite clay mask for oily skin, see this recipe on lemon balm face mask. It targets oily skin rather than acne (also easy to make).

Cleansing DIY Bentonite Clay Mask for Acne

This acne-fighting face mask was designed based on a calcium bentonite clay mask I once came across at a local shop. It was quite basic, with a few fillers and stuffs, but it worked wonders for my skin.

Then, they stopped selling it (apparently I was the only one with acne problems?). So, I had to improvise. Now, I don’t remember the ingredients any longer, but in general, it contained similar things to my recipe. I’ve tweaked it a bit, left out the chemicals, and make it super easy to whip up and use.

This mask is a true demonstration of benefits of bentonite for acne. When I first started using this mask, my face was dotted with acne and pimples. My forehead, chin, and nose were a mine-zone.

I started using this mask in a time of desperation, applying it two to three times a week. Now, I was impatient and unhappy as clay didn’t produce any results after the second or third use. I would have stopped then and there, but I noticed minimal changes to my face (more toned skin and smaller pores in the no-mine zone), so I was stubborn and decided to continue.

After a month, the results were obvious. I still had some pimples and acne, but my face was as good as new. I was able to show it in public without hiding behind scarves, hats, or lurking in the shadows.

I was blown away by the before and after results; my skin was smooth, soft, and evenly toned. The volcanic area on my forehead was gone, my nose stopped growing red horns and looked like a normal human nose.

From then on, this mask’s been an SOS in dark times when you’ve run of ideas or other options.

The ingredients complement each other perfectly and make an excellent DIY anti-acne concoction!

Whether you want to omit or change the ingredients, you’ll consequently change the sole purpose of the recipe, so I don’t recommend that (apart from the vegetable glycerin).

Yes, this clay face mask doesn’t smell too prettily (I’m not a fan of tea tree), but that’s not what it’s here for anyway.

It’s here with the purpose to destroy the bacteria.

To cleanse your skin.

To tone the skin.

To bring life back to your pretty face.

To exfoliate and remove impurities, dirt, and excess oil.

And to banish the invading acne once and for all!

With regular use, this DIY clay mask will help you restore the balance of your skin and make you forget about the paper bag you’ve been wearing for the past few weeks/months or even years.

Now, let’s have a look at the ingredients and see what they can do for your skin!

Bentonite clay

Bentonite clay, also known as Aztec clay or Indian healing clay is a natural remedy that has the ability to eliminate toxins from the skin. It’s one of the most powerful cleansing and detoxifying clays there are!

With regular use of this acne-cleansing face mask, clay should improve the appearance and overall health of your skin, because when removing the mask, you also remove the toxins that clay pulled from your skin. This is one of the most important benefits of bentonite clay for skin.

What’s more, bentonite clay unclogs your pores and minimizes them at the same time. It can also control and eliminate the sebum (excess oil) from your skin. While bentonite skin benefits target all skin types and it generally considered safe for all skin types, I don’t recommend you use for dry and sensitive skin. It’s definitely cleansing, but it’s also drying, so it’s normally best to use for those with oily and acne-prone skin.

The beauty of bentonite clay is that it gives an even tone to your skin and helps to reduce the appearance of scars. You’ll be able to see some results after the first face mask already (even the skin tone, boost circulation, give a healthy and radiant appearance to your skin), but it’s the regular use of the facial clay mask that will bring the actual change.

Tea tree essential oil

That face mask I mentioned before? It contained tea tree oil to fight my teenage acne and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties.

This study has shown that regular tea tree application can seriously improve acne condition when the problem is minimal to moderate. Now, tea tree isn’t the only solution, but when combined with other ingredients, it can be very effective.

Because of tea tree oil’s powerful antioxidants, the oil itself improves the skin, reduces signs of scars and blemishes.

It can even aid in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Primarily used in topical applications (this oil can be toxic if consumed internally), it eliminates the toxins, cleans the skin of all impurities, and minimizes the symptoms of acne (swollen pores).

Lavender hydrosol

Essentially, the recipe was made with lavender essential oil. While it is one of the most popular natural and organic ingredients to treat acne, I noticed that it irritates my eyes even if I use only one drop per mask. I decided to eliminate it and substitute it with lavender hydrosol instead.

As an essential oil, it’s very potent, as a hydrosol is also very beneficial. It doesn’t have the same properties, but we already have tea tree oil for that.

Now, lavender hydrosol is, similar to rose water (and other hydrosols) a great toner for the skin. Not only does it help to moisturize the skin and tone it, but it also keeps skin healthy with its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It provides balance to the skin and it’s also cleansing.

Since it’s gentle enough, you can also apply it after rinsing this face mask off.

Vegetable glycerin

Even though this is an optional ingredient, I’ve added it to the recipe to tone down the drying effects of bentonite slightly.

Vegetable glycerin will not clog pores and can be used on acne-prone skin. It boasts with many benefits and uses since it’s a versatile ingredient:

Vegetable Glycerine cleanses the skin without clogging pores, facilitates the skin’s absorption of other beneficial active ingredients in natural products, smooths the look of fine lines and miniscule cracks on the skin, facilitates the regeneration of new skin, evens out the skin tone to lighten darker areas, and diminishes the appearance of unwanted spots and marks.

We want it here because it provides moisture for the skin. What’s more, it also smoothens the skin and softens it. And, it’s pH is similar to that of our skin too.

How do you mix Bentonite clay for your face?

The most basic recipe to prepare Aztec clay mask is to combine 1 part clay with 1 part water. Stir well until you get a thick, smooth paste. That’s the mask you’ll be applying evenly on a clean and dry face.

Now, let’s have a look at how to make and how to use Indian healing clay for acne.

You need 4 ingredients, and a minute or two to whip up the mask. It’ll take about 20 minutes to start cleansing your face from beginning to end.

A quick note: rinse the mask off after 10-15 minutes. Don’t overdo it; Aztec clay can be irritating and drying for the skin.

Tips on using homemade clay mask for acne:

DIY clay masks seem to be the most popular posts on the blog! I’ve been getting some emails lately where you guys asked a few questions regarding the DIY bentonite clay face masks, so I decided to write it all out right here!

Hope this will help you get a better idea of what bentonite clay mask can do for your acne, your face, and your skin. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

Does bentonite clay clear acne?

Yes, in my experience and in many online reviews, Indian healing clay for acne can work wonders. All types of clays are created different so it’s important to choose the right one for your skin type. If you have acne and oily skin, I recommend using bentonite clay, French green clay or Fuller’s Earth.

Clay helps to absorb the toxins, the excess oils, dirt, and other impurities.

You should be able to notice that right away after you rinse the mask. Your skin will look cleaner, more toned, and perhaps slightly red to the look and warm to the touch. That’s completely normal, the clay worked its magic (cleansing and boosting the circulation).

What you need to know is while clay masks work for acne (it worked with mine and I’m forever grateful) the situation on your skin can get worse before it gets better. What does that mean?

If you have a bit of oily skin, a zit now and again, and a few pimples, that doesn’t mean anything too serious. You face may feel warmer and seem redder, but that’s about it. Your skin will seem more evenly toned, cleansed, and radiant.

On the other hand, if it’s a red-zit garden on your face, clay face mask may turn it into a series of purple volcanoes after a few days of using it (okay, I may be slightly exaggerating here). Again, this is normal. It means that it’s pulling the nasties out of your skin, cleansing it deeply and thoroughly. Those nasty volcanoes will disappear with time, leaving the skin healed, (more) evenly toned, and healthier.

Do clay masks exfoliate?

Wondering whether Aztec healing clay exfoliates? Absolutely, but in a very gentle way. Using clay in facial masks (even if it’s not the primary ingredient) can benefit your skin. White kaolin clay is a popular yet gentle exfoliator. I use it in a number of masks, but this DIY natural clay mask here is one of my favorites lately!

To boost the exfoliating properties of a clay mask, rinse it of gently with small circular movements while washing it with water.

How long do you keep the Aztec clay on your face?

No matter the mask; whether you make your own homemade clay mask for acne, or buy it, always read the instructions. Bentonite is a very drying clay and with excessive use, you can do more damage than benefit to your skin.

In general, I wouldn’t recommend using any bentonite clay face mask for more than 10 – 15 minutes. Aztec Healing clay recommends using the mask for 5-10 minutes for delicate skin, and 10-15 minutes for normal.

I’d advise you to test and try. The clay mask will start drying on your face. When it’s dry, rinse it off. It might take 5 minutes, 10, or even 15!

How often should you use a face mask for acne?

I used to apply bentonite clay mask for acne (and specifically for acne) every second day. My face was in bloom on the forehead, around the nose, and on my chin. So, I’d normally apply it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and then take two days off.

But keep in mind that your skin is different from mine. Now, I use clay masks once a week, as a part of my beauty routine.

In any case, I don’t recommend using bentonite clay mask every day as it can be very drying. To begin with, use it twice a week and see how your skin it handling it.

What homemade face mask is best for acne?

Finding the best facial mask for acne isn’t easy. Mind you, it may not be your skin responsible for acne, but other factors as well (nutrition, hormones…).

But, a clay mask can be an efficient way to battle the acne. The best mask for me doesn’t have to be the best one for you. It all depends on a skin type.

But, to give you an idea of a mask for acne, have a look at the following few:.

• Mask #2, #3, and #6 from homemade bentonite clay mask recipes
• For oily skin (and not so much acne) try lemon balm and bentonite face mask

Can I use clay mask on dry skin?

Absolutely. Aztec clay isn’t the only clay out there. It’s the most appropriate for oily and acne-prone skin, but there are other types of clay that can benefit different skin types.

Bentonite clay for dry skin is a no-no, but you may consider giving white kaolin clay a try. It’s much more gentle than bentonite. It promotes circulation, smooth and soft skin, and while it’s cleansing and exfoliating, it isn’t drying.

In other words, kaolin clay will give you all the benefits of a clay mask without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Should I put moisturizer after an Aztec mask?

You may want to apply moisturizer to your skin after you rinse off the clay mask. How will you know if you need it? Your skin will tell you that.

If you feel that it’s dry and tight, you need a moisturizer. I always apply it after an Indian clay mask. I spray my face with a hydrosol and apply a gentle moisturizer over it. The whole combo makes my skin smooth, soft, and it looks alive and healthy.

What is your favorite bentonite clay face mask for acne? How does it work for you? Let me know!

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