Hey First name / Zero Waster,

In last weeks Learn Letter, we learnt all about how to purify your skin, naturally, using just oil. This week, I want to take it one step further and share a recipe with you that is widely used as a classic act of self-care: face masks.

Zero waste living does not mean you have to sacrifice self-care. It's okay to pamper yourself and cover your face with a luxurious mask, packed with natural ingredients. Skin food that leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft, rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever life throws at you next!

Face masks aren't universal. Choosing the right ingredients to add to your mask very much depends on your skin type. In general, a good facial mask has a dry component (clay, charcoal, oat pulp etc) and one or more liquid components. I personally really enjoy mixing oil, vegetable milk and extracts like aloe vera juice.

For a deeper understanding of skin types, have a read of Botanical Soaps. My new book has a complete guide on how you can formulate natural, minimalist skincare products based on your skin type:

When you prepare a facial mask, you can really limit the quantities to 1-3 teaspoons of ingredients, as just a little goes a long way. In terms of ratios, I usually start with equal amounts of clay and oil. Then I add the milk until you obtain a soft spreadable paste that is not too runny. 

I also never leave a mask on for more than 10 minutes, as otherwise it could dry your skin out. Let me know if you try any of the recipes below!

If you have dry skin, Karolin clay is one of the most gentle clays you can use. It has a really low absorption rate, which means it won't absorb a lot of moisture like, for example, bentonite clay would. Try mixing three parts of kaolin clay with one part of an oil of your choice, and you will be surprised at how incredibly nourishing and mildly detoxifying this mask will be!

You can also use this mask to gently purify your skin after you have removed your make up. Instead of leaving the mask on for 10 minutes, apply it and massage your face. Wait a couple of minutes (maybe brush your teeth in the meantime?), and then gently remove the mask with the help of a cloth.

If you have oily skin you might want to try a charcoal face mask. I like to mix the activated charcoal with bentonite clay, which will make up most of the mask. I like to prepare this mask by mixing the dry components first, and then store these in a jar. 

When I want to apply the mask, I usually take how much I need, and dilute it with some aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice is incredibly refreshing and hydrating, so I keep adding until I obtain a soft and spreadable paste. If you don't have the juice, you can add a different liquid of your choice such as milk or flower water. 

If you feel this mask it is too drying for your skin type, you can also add some drops of your favourite oil. This mask works incredibly well at removing black heads around the nose! Keep it on for 5-10 minutes, then wash away with warm water.

If you are looking to illuminate and brighten your skin, try a turmeric facial mask. I like to mix it with some vegetable milk to create a soft paste. If I want a bit more of an astringent effect, I usually add a couple of drops of apple cider vinegar. If you are using apple cider vinegar, make sure to literally only add 1-2 drops, as too much can cause irritation to the skin. 

If you have sensitive skin, simply skip it altogether. Apply on the face with a clean, soft brush, keep on for about 5 minutes, and wash really well with warm water.

How to choose the right clay for your skin type: useful for creating face masks

Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask: a more advanced face mask recipe

I hope you get some time to yourself this week and enjoy one of these face masks. Let me know which one you try! And remember, there's no substitute for self-care. 

Next week we will dive into a new zero waste beauty topic: we would love to hear your suggestions of what you'd like us to cover. To make a suggestion, simply reply to this email to let us know which topic you'd love to learn more about!

Until then,