DIY Ultra Rejuvenating and Moisturising Mask

As part of my job as a naturopath for a supplement company, I have spent a good whack of the last year researching skin, how it works, what it needs to be healthy and what happens if it doesn't get the right nutrition.  On the back of this research I formulated a product which is now on the shelves of most NZ health shops. Pretty proud of myself :)

The upshot of all of this research led me to the absolute importance of dietary fatty acids for healthy, pretty skin. Not just any fatty acids but one in particular, the super unsaturated fatty acid, GLA. This fatty acid is made in the body from omega 6, which is great for all of those who chow down on the nuts and seeds!

The main action of GLA in the skin is to make up what is called the skin lipid barrier. This layer of lipids sits on top of the skin where it keeps moisture in and acts to keep out toxins. So it has a dual action- keeps the skin moisturised and also keeps out toxins which can cause dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions. 

So eat your nuts and seeds, take evening primrose oil ( your best source of readymade GLA)and don't forget that your skin laps up those very same fatty acids if you apply them topically, especially if you are deficient (which is evident by dry skin and inflammation)    

So with that in mind I decided to make up a super nourishing and moisturising face mask with no nasties! I used a nice blend of pink clay and slippery elm bark- both renowned for clearing and soothing sensitive skins, rose water for soothing and moisturising, rose oil for nourishing my mature skin, frankincense as it tones and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and EPO to fortify my lipid barrier and keep all the moisture in. I also squeezed in a bit of lemon to lighten and brighten.

This is the perfect Sunday evening, kids in bed, washing folded, time for me, kind of activity.

Whats in it?

 

 

• 2 tablespoons of pink clay
• 1 tablespoon of slippery elm
• 1 teaspoon of EPO oil
• squeeze of lemon
• 3 drops of rose oil
• 3 drops of frankincense oil
• distilled water to mix 

Whisk it all together and apply, leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then remove with warm water and a flannel. 

This is the most amazingly gorgeous mask, it leaves your skin like silk :)

Keeps for a week in a jar in the fridge.

Enjoy!