Cleansing Facial Mask

During a community theater play I needed to apply a facial mask for one scene and then quickly remove it before going on again. All I could think of was how dry my face would be by the end of the run so I started thinking about ways to make the mask beneficial and easier to remove than traditional clay masks. What I came up with was better than I expected and it makes my face feel so clean and fresh! Now that the play is over, I think I'll keep some on hand to use on a regular basis.

Cleansing Facial Mask
I started with a basic cold cream recipe Galen's Cold Cream;

1/2 cup distilled water
3/8 tsp borax
1/2 cup almond oil (may use oil of your choice)
2 Tbsp grated beeswax
See directions

To this I added;
1 Tbsp sea clay
1 Tbsp kaolin clay
(or other clay of you choice)

optional:
5 drops lavender essential oil (for its healing properties plus I love, love, love the fragrance!)
5 drops peppermint essential oil (to provide a fresh, perky feeling)
Use any combo of EOs to customize your mask.

In a heat resistant container dissolve the borax in the rosewater and set aside.
Mix almond oil and beeswax in another heat resistant container. Heat in a water bath or microwave until beeswax is melted; stir well.
Heat water/borax to same temp. as oil/wax; hot but do not boil.
Begin to whip the oil/wax mixture with a stick blender while slowly adding the water/borax.
Then whip to a light, cold cream texture.
Continue whipping while adding clays and essential oils.
Allow the mixture to cool and store in a clean container with a lid.
Gently massage a small amount onto your skin.  You can allow the mask to dry a little on your face or you can remove it shortly after applying.  To remove, tissue off or use a warm wash cloth to gently wipe away the mask. Rinse with warm water and follow with cold rinse.

Leaves your skin feeling soft, fresh and invigorated!  Makes a great gift!

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Galen's Cold Cream

The following basic cold cream recipe was taken from Janice Cox's book, Natural Beauty from the Garden.  Janice gives the following background for the recipe;
Cold cream was developed by the Greek physician Galen in the second century.  It's probably one of the oldest cosmetic recipes still in use today.  Two beauty staples in this recipe are rosewater and olive oil.  As the rosewater in the cream evaporated, it created a cold sensation on the skin that the Ancient Greeks enjoyed, thus the name.

This easy to make cold cream can be used to remove makeup and gently cleanse skin keeping it soft and smooth.  Cold cream can also be used as a heavy moisturizer for hands and feet as you garden.  Apply before putting on your boots and gloves to prevent drying and cracking as you work.
Rosewater gives the cream a light scent but for an unscented cream use distilled water.


Galen's Cold Cream
1/2 cup rosewater or distilled water
3/8 tsp borax
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp grated beeswax

In a heat resistant container dissolve the borax in the rosewater and set aside.
Mix olive oil and beeswax in another heat resistant container. Heat in a water bath or microwave until beeswax is melted; stir well.
Heat water/borax to same temp. as oil/wax; hot but do not boil.
Begin to whip the oil/wax mixture with a stick blender while slowly adding the water/borax.
Then whip to a light, cold cream texture which will thicken as it cools.
Store in a clean container with a lid.

To use:  Massage a small amount in to your skin and tissue off or rinse with warm water.

This cold cream makes a great gift for special friends on your list.  Combine it with my Cleansing Facial Mask for a special treat!

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