3 Easy DIY Mud Mask Recipes to Detoxify, Exfoliate, and Tighten Your Skin

Imagine an easy, luxurious, highly effective self-care routine that leaves your skin looking smooth, gorgeous, and blemish-free. Now imagine that it’s affordable and takes only 10-15 minutes a few times a week. 

Excited yet? Adding a DIY mud mask to your weekly skincare routine is simple, affordable, and effective. At Alaska Glacial, we’re all about self-care for the rest of us. Mixing up some of ourAlaska Glacial Clay Powder with a few household ingredients fits into our belief that self-care is about creating rituals that are healthy and make you feel good about yourself.

In this post we answer your biggest questions about homemade mud masks, show you how to apply your mask, and give you three super simple clay mask recipes to get you started.

Mud and clay have been used in skincare for centuries! The ancient Egyptians used clay masks for the same reasons we use them today. They provide numerous benefits as part of your regular skincare routine. 

Cleopatra herself is thought to have used a mud face mask twice a week to cleanse her skin and maintain her youthful look. Today there are research studies showing that the Egyptians were on to something when they used this all-natural ingredient to maintain skin health and beauty.

In fact, thermal pools and mud baths in mountainous Bormio, Italy, were first discovered more than 2,000 years ago by ancient Romans who lauded the curative powers of the mineral waters for aching muscles, detoxification, relaxation and revitalization.  The modern-day term S•P•A is derived from the Latin for Salus Per Aquam or Sub Per Aquam, mean healing through water submersion.

Beyond making you feel good, mud has many benefits for skin health.

Mud masks:

• Exfoliate. As the mask dries it tightens and pulls dead skin cells to the surface of the mask. The skin cells are washed away when the mask is rinsed off.
• Detoxify. Similar to exfoliation, impurities are pulled to the mask as it dries and rinsed away with the mask
• Tighten Skin. Masks made with clay in particular tighten your pores and skin as they dry, giving your skin a smooth appearance.
• Slow Skin Aging. Studies have shown mud with a high concentration of bioactive molecules can slow skin aging. Bio-what? Bioactive just means an ingredient that promotes good health.

Because they’re so good at drawing out impurities and oil, mud masks can help fight acne and blackheads. There’s research showing that mud masks are beneficial for several skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. 

Glacial clay powder is generally safe for all skin types. But if you do have sensitive skin, make sure you test a small patch first before applying a full mask. 

Making your own mud masks can save you money and allow you to customize using fresh ingredients. You can address your unique skin needs when you DIY a mud mask. You can add beneficial ingredients like yogurt and avocado that can’t be used in a ready-made product. 

Plus— making your own mud mask is highly satisfying, and the combinations are endless!

I might be biased but glacial clay is the best base for DIY face masks! It’s an incredibly mineral-rich exfoliating and detoxifying clay with more than 60 trace minerals and elements.

Here’s how glacial clay powder stacks up:

• Contains quartz, feldspar, calcite, and other trace minerals and elements that have detoxifying and skin-softening properties
• Unlike Dead Sea Mud, glacial mud doesn’t require desalinization or deodorization. Our glacial clay is hand harvested from the freshwater Copper River Delta and retains trace minerals that Dead Sea Mud loses in the washing process.
• Choose a sustainable company and resource.  The Copper River deposits 60-100 million tons of sediment annually.  We selectively and sustainably carve the creamiest layer of fine silt and clay particles.  You can be certain you are getting the highest quality glacial clay by a company with a commitment to sustainability.
• Its fine particle size makes it wildly effective at absorbing dirt and other impurities
• The fine particle size also ensures gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells

Are you ready to up your self-care routine with a do-it-yourself mud mask? Read on for exactly how to do it, and three easy recipes to get you started.

You only need a few simple ingredients and steps to get you started with your homemade mud mask.

What You Need

• Glacial clay powder: this is the foundation of all of your clay mask recipes. Our 4.5 ounce reusable tin will make over 100 masks using the recipes below.
• Fresh ingredients: These will vary based on your skin concerns and personal preferences. Our recipes here use honey, milk, and egg whites.
• Botanicals, spices, and essential oils: Once you’ve tried the clay mask recipes below, download our free ebook for even more ideas, or create your own! You can use any combination of herbs, flowers, spices, or essential oils to customize your mud mask for your unique needs.

Now’s the fun part! Set aside some time for your self-care ritual. Write it in your calendar so your family knows not to disturb you. Think about how you want to spend your time while your mask is on. Meditation? Journaling? Scrolling the ‘Gram? It’s your choice. Whatever will nurture and replenish you.

• Start with a freshly washed face, free of makeup or significant dirt/oils.
• Use clean fingers or a mask brush to apply the mask. Avoid the delicate areas around the lips and eyes.
• Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes to get the full benefits. 
• Rinse your face with warm water using a soft sponge or towel, or hop in the shower for easy cleanup.
• Apply your favorite serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen (if daytime).

Congratulations! You just committed to a sustainable, nourishing, skin-replenishing, self-care routine!

A glacial clay mask should be used as a supplement to your typical skincare routine. Because of the powerful detoxifying benefits, you should use a mud mask 1-4 times a week instead of daily, depending on your skin type. If your skin is more oily, you may use a mud mask more often. If you have sensitive skin, patch test a small amount of skin first and only use a mask 2-4 times a month.

Use our recipes below as a guide. Once you’ve tried them, feel free to get creative! There are endless combinations you can use to create your own spa routine at home.