DIY Face Masks: Activated Charcoal Mask

I love face masks and I can honestly say I haven't bought any from the stores for a good few years (maybe over 4 years). This is mainly because a. I have never noticed a much of a difference after using them, b. they always always (mostly) add alcohol as one of the main ingredients (err causes dryness much) and c. they have fragrance which can cause me to breakout and d. I never get through the fresh ones (e.g. Lush) before the expiry date so it's a waste. Thus I make my own. There's something really therapeutic and apothecary like about making your own.  This will be a series of my favourite DIY recipes and starting with the Activated Charcoal Mask, and I'll post a new one every week.

Charcoal is a natural chelating agent; It can form several bonds with other molecules to trap and remove them. Charcoal is medically used to treat heavy metal poisoning such as mercury. This masks works on the basis that the charcoal will bind to any impurities in the skin and allow for deep cleansing and is especially useful for those with blemish prone skin. If you're not the DIY type then there are several ready made Charcoal Makes you can purchase such as the Origins Clear Improvement, The Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask, or if you're in India there's the Aroma Magic Activated Bamboo Charcoal Mask of which I read a review of here by Swastika

Ingredients: 

Activated Charcoal Capsules

Aloe Vera Gel

A bowl and a spoon 

DIY Charcoal Face Mask Ingredients 

(the ingredients can be picked up from any health/herbal stores, in the U.K Holland and Barrett is pretty accessible to most people).

DIY Charcoal Face Mask Method 

1. Empty the content of 2 activated charcoal capsules into a bowl (gently twist the capsule until it opens, I'd suggest doing this by a sink where you can clean up easily if you do drop the charcoal powder)

2. Add 2 teaspoon or so (depending on the consistency you want, if you want a grittier texture which may help exfoliate the skin as your rubbing it on then use less aloe vera) to the charcoal powder

3. Mix until it both ingredients are incorporated well

4. Apply to cleansed skin and leave for about 30 mins (or until it has completely dry)

You'll feel  your skin tightening as the mask dries

5. Wash and apply moisturiser as usual. 

This makes enough for 2 uses/2 faces

*FYI: my skin is pretty normal and I would only do this once a month (more if my skin feels like it needs deep cleansing), I do have other face masks that I really enjoy using. This mask can make you break out as it's drawing impurities from the skin so you may have a spot or 2 after.