The Alchemy of Skin Care

A bit of green clay, a swirl of golden honey, the cool kiss of hydrosol—there’s something almost alchemical about mixing a face mask. It’s not part of my daily skincare ritual, but serves as a deeper, intensive treatment I indulge in once a week or so. Tuning into my skin’s needs, I let intuition guide me—reaching for a mineral-rich clay, a decadent butter, a refreshing hydrosol, or even a spoonful of yogurt. 

It’s a small act of care, a quiet pause in the day. In these moments, I feel deeply connected—to my skin, and also to something more elemental. Whether it’s the grounding pull of clay or the gentle buff of a face scrub revealing fresh skin beneath, these rituals offer a sense of renewal.

Face masks and scrubs each play their part in a well-loved skincare ritual. A good mask can detox, hydrate, or nourish, depending on the ingredients, while a scrub sweeps away dullness, encouraging renewal and helping your skin drink in moisture more effectively. 

In this post, we’ll explore ingredients you can work with to customize your own masks and scrubs. 

I’ll also share four simple, skin-loving recipes:

🌿 Two face masks—one clarifying, one deeply restorative
🌿 Two face scrubs—one invigorating, one ultra-nourishing

Each recipe is crafted with botanicals, rich plant butters, and nutrient-packed oils, giving you the flexibility to tailor them to your skin’s changing needs. Whether your skin is craving an infusion of moisture or a revitalizing reset, these simple recipes will give you a little extra glow, and a nourishing addition to your routine. (Get our guide for a daily routine to combat dryness and achieve radiant skin here.)

Natural Face Mask & Scrub Ingredients

Here are some popular natural ingredients you can work with for masks and scrubs. I’ve separated them into dry, oil-based, and water-based ingredients. In general, you can mix and match them, customizing a blend based on the texture and benefits you want for your skin. Just be aware that oil-based and water-based ingredients won’t readily stay blended together.

Dry Ingredients

• Green Clay – Draws out impurities, absorbs excess oil, refines pores, and lightly exfoliates.

• Kaolin Clay (White Clay) – A gentle clay that cleanses without stripping, great for sensitive or dry skin.

• Ground Oats – Soothes and hydrates while providing gentle physical exfoliation.

• Sugar – A gentle physical exfoliant that dissolves easily, helping to buff away dead skin while lightly hydrating. (I use salt in body scrubs, but prefer sugar for the delicate skin of the face.)

Oil-Based Ingredients

• Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxi) – Intensely moisturizing, rich in vitamins A and E, protects against dryness.

• Mango Butter (Mangifera indica) – Softens and hydrates while improving skin elasticity.

• Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata) – Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, deeply nourishing and helps improve skin elasticity. (Learn more about baobab in this post!)

• Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa canina) – High in vitamin C and essential fatty acids, helps brighten the skin and improve tone.

• Mashed Avocado – Packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids to soften, replenish, and restore glow.

• Honey – While not a traditional oil, honey is a natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin, soothes irritation, and has mild antibacterial properties. It can bridge the gap between hydrous and oily ingredients.

If you’d like more suggestions for carrier oils to use in your skin care, check out this recent post.

Water-Based Ingredients

• Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis) – Hydrates, calms redness, and promotes healing, making it perfect for sensitive or sun-exposed skin.

• Hydrosols – Pure, aromatic botanical waters with gentle therapeutic properties. (Discover more about hydrosols on our blog!)

• Yogurt (Plain, Unsweetened) – Contains lactic acid for gentle exfoliation while deeply moisturizing and soothing.

Enhancing Your Recipes with Fresh Fruits and Botanical Exfoliants

For an extra skin-brightening boost, consider adding fresh fruit purees or concentrated fruit powders to your masks and scrubs. These ingredients introduce natural enzymes, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliating acids to your skincare ritual:

• Papaya Puree – Contains natural enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells for a brighter complexion.

• Pumpkin Puree – High in water content, packed with vitamins A & C, and full of natural enzymes that promote cell renewal and brighten the complexion.

• Mashed Strawberries – A natural source of vitamin C and AHAs that gently exfoliate, brighten, and improve skin texture.

• Raspberry Organic Fruit Powder – Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, helping to tone and protect the skin while providing a soft exfoliation.

• Wild Bilberry Fruit Powder – Loaded with anthocyanins, this powerhouse ingredient helps soothe inflammation, improve skin tone, and provide a natural glow.

These additions can be blended into any of the existing mask or scrub recipes to customize the formula for your skin’s unique needs. Simply mix in a small amount and adjust the consistency as needed to create a smooth, even texture.

Now let’s explore some ways to combine these ingredients with a few natural recipes!

DIY Face Mask Recipes

Hydrating Shea & Mango Butter Mask

This rich, buttery mask deeply nourishes the skin, restoring softness and elasticity. It’s ideal for dry or mature skin. The feel is soft, rich, and luxurious, melting into the skin rather than drying on the surface. When you gently wipe off the mask, skin is left feeling plump, supple, and deeply nourished, with a radiant glow. 

You will need a 4 oz (120 ml) glass or PET jar for this mask. This recipe keeps well, once it’s made.

Ingredients

• ½ oz (14 gm) Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxa)

• ½ oz (14 gm) Mango Butter (Mangifera indica)

• 1 fl oz (30 ml) Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata)

Directions

1. Melt the shea and mango butter gently using a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and mix in the baobab oil, stirring well.

3. Let cool until creamy.

4. Gently incorporate any optional additions before application.

5. Apply a generous layer to clean skin and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.

6. Before removing, gently massage the skin in a round, swirling motion to enhance absorption and circulation.

7. Use a warm, damp cloth to remove any excess.

Options for Enhancement

• Add 1 tsp Pumpkin Puree for extra hydration and a vitamin boost.

• Blend in ½ tsp Mashed Strawberries for gentle exfoliation and a burst of vitamin C.

Detoxifying Clay Mask for Oily or Combination Skin

This clay mask helps to draw out impurities while keeping the skin balanced and refreshed. It’s wonderful for oily, combination, or acne-prone skin.

The amounts below are suggestions. Using more hydrosol creates a thinner mask, while more clay results in a thicker mask. As the hydrosols evaporate, the mask dries on your skin. Avoid allowing the mask to dry completely, as this can strip the skin’s moisture. Keeping it damp with a hydrosol mist can help maintain balance. After rinsing off the mask,follow up with a homemade natural moisturizer.

I prefer to make this blend fresh each time I use it, using a small bowl to mix the ingredients.

Ingredients

• ½ oz (14 gm) Green Clay

• ½ fl oz (15 ml) Rose Geranium Hydrosol (Pelargonium graveolens)

• Splash of Opoponax Hydrosol (Commiphora guidotti)

Directions

1. Mix the clay with the hydrosols in a small bowl.

2. Stir to combine into a smooth paste.

3. Gently incorporate any optional additions before application.

4. Apply evenly to the face, avoiding the delicate eye area.

5. Allow to sit for 10-12 minutes before rinsing.

Options for Enhancement

• Stir in 1 tsp Raspberry Organic Fruit Powder to enhance detoxification and brighten the skin.

• Mix in ½ tsp Wild Bilberry Fruit Powder for added antioxidants and skin-calming benefits.

DIY Face Scrub Recipes

Gentle Exfoliating Scrub for Radiant Skin

This mild exfoliating scrub buffs away dead skin cells without being too harsh. This scrub feels soft and balm-like, firming up as it fully solidifies. It is easily softened in the heat of your palm. 

You’ll need a 2 oz (30 ml) glass or PET jar for this recipe. The recipe keeps well once it’s made.

Ingredients

• ½ oz (14 gm) Fine Sugar

• ½ oz (14 gm) Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxi)

• 10 ml Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata)

Directions

1. Melt the shea butter gently using a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and mix in the baobab oil, stirring well.

3. Allow the mixture to cool.

4. Blend in the sugar.

5. Gently incorporate any optional additions before application.

6. Gently massage onto damp skin in circular motions, then rinse.

Options for Enhancement:

• Blend in 1 tsp Mashed Avocado for an extra dose of nourishment and skin-softening fatty acids.

• Add ½ tsp Pumpkin Puree to boost hydration and encourage cell renewal.

Clay and Floral Scrub for Balanced Skin

This recipe is for those who love the gentle detoxifying properties of clay but also want the brightening effects of a scrub.

This is another recipe I prefer to make fresh every time I use it. Due to the water-based ingredients, it doesn’t store well for future use.

Ingredients

• ½ oz (14 gm) Green Clay

• 5 ml Rose Geranium Hydrosol (Pelargonium spp)

• 5 ml Opoponax Hydrosol (Commiphora guidotti)

• 1 tsp Finely Ground Oats

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl to create a paste.

2. Gently incorporate any optional additions before application.

3. Apply in circular motions, focusing on areas prone to dryness or congestion.

4. Rinse off with warm water.

Options for Enhancement

• Stir in 1 tsp Mashed Strawberries to add a brightening, gentle exfoliating effect.

• Add ½ tsp Raspberry Organic Fruit Powder for additional antioxidants and skin tone support.

Complimentary Download: Glowing Skin Naturally!

Your 7-Day Aromatherapy Skincare Routine

Skincare is about feeling grounded, nourished, and deeply connected to yourself. This complimentary PDF guide, Your 7-Day Aromatherapy Skincare Routine, is your invitation to slow down, breathe in nature’s wisdom, and care for your skin in a way that feels truly restorative—every day of the week!

Over the course of 7 days, you'll experience new ways to nourish your skin and soul—from hydration-boosting treatments to glow-enhancing face masks and lymphatic massage. 

Download your free guide now and start your journey to radiant, balanced skin!

Glowing Skin Naturally

Your 7-Day Aromatherapy Skincare Routine

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My Takeaway

I’ve found that the beauty of homemade skincare is in the intention as much as the ingredients. Some days, my skin craves the deep renewal of a mineral-rich mask. Other days, it drinks up the nourishment of a buttery, oil-infused scrub. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s the magic of it.

So take what resonates, experiment, and most of all—enjoy the process. Your skin, like you, is ever-changing. Let your routine reflect that, and let it be something you truly love.