If there’s one skincare issue that no one seems to escape from, it has to be acne. This gentle DIY Face Mask for Acne is an affordable and natural remedy to fight those breakouts!
I love this acne face mask because it’s so easy to make and can be used on both oily and combination skin.
The absorbing powers of bentonite clay balance oily skin.
At the same time, honey gives your skin the moisture back it deserves.
Honey is also said to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making the gold substance a powerful ingredient to fight acne breakouts.
Face Mask Ingredients for Acne
This DIY Face Mask recipe packs some powerful ingredients. And they all work together to balance oily skin and keep breakouts at bay.
Bentonite Clay
The first main ingredient in this face mask is bentonite clay. Cosmetic clays make a great base for homemade face masks.
I talk about different cosmetic clays and how to use them in your skincare routine in this post.
Bentonite clay is one of the most used cosmetic clays in face masks, and is often recommended for acne-prone skin.
It is one of the stronger clays though, so swap with kaolin clay if you have – very – sensitive skin.
The reason why I love cosmetic clays so much is because they are generally gentle for the skin.
Their grainy texture makes clays a gentle exfoliator. This way you rub away dead skin cells and make your skin look and feel super soft!
Honey
Aahhh – honey.
The OG natural skincare remedy that has proven benefits for acne-prone skin.
The fact that honey has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties makes this golden goop so popular amongst natural beauty enthusiasts.
Make sure you get the thick, gooey stuff (as in: raw and organic). This has not been heated and processed in the same way as the runny honey kind has and that’s how it retains more of its benefits.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar – or ACV in short – is not the best smelling ingredient in your kitchen. But it has some dang good skin properties thanks to the presence of anti-bacterial acetic acid.
The acidic ACV will react with the higher pH of the bentonite clay, creating a more balanced face mask that’s closer to the natural pH of your skin.
Since apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, you should always dilute it with water before applying to your skin.
Patch test the diluted ACV first to see if your skin can tolerate the finished product. I’ve used diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner before and loved it.
I wanted to check and see if this face mask wasn’t too powerful (read: too acidic or too alkaline) for your natural skin’s pH.
To perform this test I used a simple pH testing strip you can get at most pharmacies or drugstores.
These testing strips only give you an idea of the pH of the final product. For more accurate measurements (for example if you’re selling homemade beauty products) a digital pH meter is recommended.
My test strip showed that this face mask sits somewhere between 4 and 6.
Since the pH of your skin ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 and you know that water for example has a pH of 7 to 8, than this rinse off face mask has a mighty fine pH.
How To Apply a Face Mask for Acne
You can use this DIY face mask for acne in a number of ways.
The method that works best for you depends on your skin, and can change depending on your skin’s needs at that time.
1. Acne Face Mask as a spot treatment
This method might not be the first one that comes to mind when you can see a DIY face mask for acne, but sometimes this is all you need.
When you feel your skincare routine is working for you, but have a few pesky breakouts that won’t go away, this could be the perfect solution to your acne worries.
How To Use as a Spot Treatment
- Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry with a towel.
- Use a small face brush or a cotton swab to apply a generous amount on top of existing acne spots.
- Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes or as long as feels comfortable for your skin.
- Take a cotton pad or wash cloth and soak it with lukewarm water. Use the wet pad or cloth to take the green clay mask off your face.
- Pat the areas dry with a towel and apply your favorite moisturiser all over your face and neck.
Use this Acne Spot Treatment as often as needed.
2. Acne Face Mask as a Cleanser
Another way to use this DIY face mask for acne is as a deep cleanser.
This means that instead of applying a face mask the traditional way, you use the mixture instead of your cream or oil cleanser.
How To Use as a Clay Face Cleanser
- Remove your makeup (if wearing) and cleanse your face with a mild cleanser like micellar water.
- Use your finger tips to spread the mixture evenly over your face. Avoid your eye area and your lips and nostrils.
- For extra exfoliation, gently massage your face with your fingertips without applying pressure.
- Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use a wash cloth to make sure you’ve removed every last bit of the mixture from your face and neck.
- Apply your favorite moisturizer on your face and neck.
How often you use this mixture depends on your skin and how sensitive it is. I personally wouldn’t use this clay cleanser more than 2 to 3 times a week.
3. Acne Face Mask as a Treatment
The third and final moment is plain and simple: you can also use this face mask … as a face mask.
How To Use as Acne Face Mask
- Cleanse your skin, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
- Use a makeup brush, face mask applicator or clean fingers to apply a generous layer onto your face. Keep building the mixture until you have an even layer all over your face. Avoid your eye area, lips and nostrils.
- Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse with plenty of lukewarm water. Follow with a wet wash cloth to remove every last bit of the face mask.
- Pat your skin dry with a towel and apply your favorite moisturizer.
This is my absolute top 3 of methods to use this DIY face mask to get rid of acne.
I know I’ve said this a million times before, but a face mask (or other beauty product) should never sting, hurt or burn.
Always patch test first before using a new product (DIY or otherwise) and rinse immediately when the product starts to feel uncomfortable on your skin.
I personally don’t believe in a ‘purging period’, ‘the fact that it tingles/burns means that it’s working’ and ‘it’s natural so it must be okay’. You can be allergic or sensitive to any ingredient and not know it.
Face Mask for Acne Recipe
This easy DIY face mask for Acne uses the power of absorbing bentonite clay and anti-bacterial honey. This mask is a great choice if you want to fight acne breakouts.
Materials
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 1 tablespoon raw, organic honey
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Makeup brush or face mask applicator (optional)
Instructions
- Scoop bentonite clay into the mixing bowl.
- Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Watch how the vinegar reacts to the clay as it starts to bubble. Stir with a spoon until the bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar form a paste.
- Add water to the mixing bowl to dilute the clay and vinegar mixture. Stir until all the lumps have dissolved into the liquid.
- Add honey to the mixture and stir. The honey will slowly dissolve into the water. The end result is a watery paste.
- Apply a generous layer on your face, avoiding your eye and mouth area. Let sit for a few minutes and rinse with plenty of water.
Notes
This face mask is best used immediately after you make it. You can store leftovers in the fridge if you must, but I would use it in 2 to 3 days since this recipe contains water.
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