Wrinkles aren’t just signs of aging. They also develop because of stress, bad lifestyle habits, and toxins from the environment. The beauty market is littered with products that promise to prevent or fade out wrinkles but many of these contain harsh ingredients that could cause more skin damage. A few easy solutions for wrinkle removal are actually in your kitchen. You can create a homemade face mask from ingredients you use for food and mix it with bentonite clay for best results.
“Most people do not have a problem with being old. They have a problem with looking old.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana
But first, what’s in bentonite clay and how does it work?
Bentonite clay is collected from volcanic ash, so it’s 100 percent natural. It’s named after Fort Benton in Wyoming, which has the biggest clay deposits in the U.S. It’s also called “Montmorillonite clay,” based on a region in France also known for its large deposits of the clay.
In ancient times, people used bentonite clay for beauty and wellness, according to the Iranian Journal of Public Health. Aside from reducing wrinkles and scars, it exfoliates and clarifies the skin, unclogs and shrinks pores, and makes skin softer. It also works well for all types of skin.
Below are some homemade facial masks for wrinkle removal to make with bentonite clay. Never use metal bowls and spoons when making your facial mask with bentonite clay because it will apparently affect its healing properties.
Here Are 5 Homemade Masks For Wrinkle Removal
1. Yogurt
Use plain yogurt, not flavored yogurt, and combine with one to two teaspoons of bentonite clay. After mixing the ingredients well, massage it evenly on the face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water and wipe with a clean washcloth.
2. Honey And Lavender Oil
Mix a teaspoon of clay powder with a teaspoon of raw honey and two teaspoons of water. Add two drops of lavender essential oil and continue to mix well. Apply on your face but be careful around the eye area. Leave this mask on for 15 minutes before washing it off with water.
3. Rosehip Oil
Use the bentonite clay without any food ingredient but add two drops of rosehip oil and two teaspoons of water. Apply as desired and let it stay for 20 minutes before rinsing off with water.
4. Coffee And Apple Cider Vinegar
Add two teaspoons of bentonite clay to a teaspoon of coffee grounds. Mix in one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and add three drops of tea tree oil. Spread evenly on the face and let it sit for 20 minutes. Clean off with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer afterward.
5. Charcoal
Using charcoal powder, mix three tablespoons of bentonite clay and three tablespoons of distilled water. You can also add witch hazel as an optional ingredient. Put 20 drops of tea tree oil and mix well before applying on the face. Distilled water reduces the chances of facial irritation for people with sensitive skin as it lowers the pH levels of the clay mask.
Facialist Sharon McGlinchey, who owns a line of organic skincare products, said in Allure magazine that clay masks shouldn’t dry completely while on your face. Doing so can dehydrate your skin and cause itchiness and irritation. Completely dried face masks appear flaky and lighter in color. If your mask is dry but still sticky, that’s a good indication it’s time to wash it off.
You can also mix other homemade ingredients into a facial mask for wrinkle removal without using bentonite clay. Here are a few recommendations:
Here Are 4 Facial Masks For Wrinkle Removal Without Bentonite Clay
1. Avocado And Oatmeal
Mash the avocado with the oats properly before putting it on the skin. This combination is rich in antioxidants that fight skin aging and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Potato And Carrot
Grind these two ingredients with a few tablespoons of water until it turns to paste. Add a drop of rosehip oil and mix everything with a spoon. Leave it on the face for 20 minutes before rinsing. Potatoes and carrots are rich in Vitamin A that helps clear the blemishes and dark circles, as well as lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
3. Aloe Vera And Lime
Use Aloe Vera extract with lime juice and let it sit on the face for 10 minutes before washing it off with water. This combination has a healing effect and lessens collagen damage that usually leads to wrinkles. Some homemade face masks can work effectively with regular application twice a week but this Aloe Vera and lime combination is best applied every day.
4. Papaya And Yogurt
Mash the papaya and mix with plain yogurt. Leave it on the face for less than 10 minutes. Papaya has papain that helps clarify and smoothen the skin. For sensitive skin types, however, use only half the papaya so that it won’t cause redness.
Final Thoughts
When using homemade face masks for wrinkle removal, you can actually tweak the ingredients depending on what you need for your skin type. While home ingredients are generally safe, it’s still best to do a skin patch test in a small area first to ensure you experience no adverse reaction. Also, make sure you’re picking fresh ingredients and use the facial mask as soon as you’ve mixed it. Storing it overnight will expose it to bacteria (which you don’t want).
Here’s a good rule to follow with homemade masks: don’t put something on your skin that you won’t otherwise eat. Always check out the expiration date of the product, such as yogurt, even if it has been unopened in your fridge, as bad ingredients might cause blotches. Finally, be positive and remember that there are always more natural ways to remove wrinkles than opting for expensive health care beauty products.
