Brilliant Bases & what you can do with them

So you read in my last blog about adding your own blends of therapeutic essential oils to our lovely SLES-free base for shampoos, shower gels and bath soaks! So this time I am going to introduce you to our clays and powders, and also our amazing velvet feeding mask base so that you can increase your blending repertoire, focusing on making face masks.

So why would you want to use clays and powders in everyday life? The answer is simply because they have amazing properties and can be used in several situations. Different clays have different properties, but all of them blend well with hydrolats, vegetable oils and essential oils to make masks, poultices, compresses, and many other treatments. Below is a brief overview of how clays and powders can be used in practice.

• Hair mask for fine, oily or fragile hair
• Scalp masks for hair loss or poor hair growth
• Facial masks for acne, rosacea, oily skin, mature skin etc.
• Compresses for areas of the body where there is cellulite or poor circulation
• Poultices (usually warm) for areas of the body where there are aches and pains
• Powders for babies’ bottoms and for larger clients to prevent chaffing and soreness
• Exfoliating and peeling masks

Here is some information about a couple of Penny Price clays and a powders

Fullers Earth

This clay is extremely drawing and is a wonderful aid for acne cysts, sebaceous cysts, blackheads and generally oily skin. Used in masks with hazelnut oil and pine hydrolat, it is very grease-cutting and refreshing. Also, as an absorbent clay, fuller’s earth is extremely efficient at cleansing and exfoliating the scalp and absorbing excess oil. It is packed with beneficial minerals such as magnesium, calcium and zinc which condition and add strength to the hair from the root. By increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, fuller’s earth can help slow down the hair fall process by boosting circulatory flow, and so helping the hair to grow stronger.

Green Clay

Green clay acts as a magnet for impurities, stimulates blood flow to the skin, removes oils and impurities and exfoliates dead skin cells. As the clay dries, it causes the pores to constrict, producing a firmer feeling skin. It can also help relieve pain and inflammation and is very useful mixed in a poultice for small areas of the body that may be affected by arthritis or rheumatism. It is antiseptic, antibacterial and healing. For facial masks, this clay has a strong toning action and stimulates the skin by bringing fresh blood to the surface, so it will help with a sluggish or dull complexion and also with oily, congested and acne-prone skin types by helping to remove excess oils, unclog and shrink pores and tighten skin.

Calamine Powder

Calamine comes from natural mineral deposits, which is transformed into a soft pink powder when milled. It is one of the main constituents of the traditional calamine lotion that is used extensively to relieve redness, stinging and irritation of the skin. The powder treats the skin with a gentle toning and antiseptic action. Historically, it's been mixed with rose water to create a soothing face mask, and is excellent for mature, dry skin and irritated skin when it can be mixed with chamomile hydrolat and applied to the face. It is also excellent for acne Rosaceae, especially if German chamomile essential oil is added.

Adding Oils to Clay and Calamine

Please note that as clays are natural, they sometimes need less or more clay into the fluid to make them into a paste. Always add the clay to the water or hydrolat slowly until you have the correct texture. Clays are always added to the fluid because if the fluid is added to the clay, the clay usually clumps and becomes clumpy and unusable. Once you have a nice mixture of clay/powder and water to the thickness you require, you simply drop in the essential oils of your choice. Here are a couple of recipes to give you an idea of how to blend.

Cleansing Clay Mask for oily skin or acne

• 3 teaspoonfuls of fuller’s earth clay
• 1 egg white
• 1ml of hazelnut carrier oil
• Water to adjust
• 2 drops of lemon essential oil
• 2 drops of frankincense essential oil

Method:

• Add the fuller’s earth to the egg white and a little water if necessary, to make a thick paste
• Slowly add the hazelnut oil
• Add the oils and mix well.
• Apply to clean face and neck and leave on for 20 - 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water then use a toner and moisturiser.

Clay peeling mask

• 1 teaspoonful of kaolin
• 2 teaspoonfuls of fuller’s earth
• 30ml warm water (about 20 degrees C)
• 2 drops of geranium essential oil
• 1 drop of sandalwood essential oil

Method

• Mix the 3 teaspoonfuls of clay into the preheated water -
• Add the essential oils and stir well
• Apply to the skin as soon as it is comfortable in a thin layer and leave for 15 minutes.
• The clay will dry to a rubbery wax that you can peel off.
• Revitalises and rejuvenates the skin, leaving the skin clear, cleansed and fresh.

Next we come to our Velvet Feeding Mask. This is a wonderful ready-made mask base that is full of tightening, moisturising and anti-aging ingredients, with a goodly dollop of therapeutic honey!

To every 50ml of mask you would need to add about 6 drops of essential oils. Here are some ideas for you:

Mature Skin

• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops geranium essential oil

Oily Skin

• 2 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 2 drops juniper essential oil
• 2 drops Ho Leaf essential oil

Acne

• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops german chamomile essential oil

Eczema

• 2 drops bergamot essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop geranium essential oil
• 1 drops juniper essential oil

Once you have made your mask, put it in a 50ml jar with a lid to keep the air out and use a little bit twice a week. Apply to clean skin, spread over the face and neck and leave for 5 minutes. Because the mask itself will increase your circulation don’t be surprised if you go a little pink, and if you feel the mask tingling, take it off with warm water.

I hope now that you have a good idea of how to make your own face masks, and as usual, if you need tailored advice please do contact us at Penny Price Aromatherapy. 01455 251 020 | info@penny-price.com