The inspiration for this mask came from a recipe request from Alexandra, who wanted a homemade alternative for an $80 mask/cleanser from a luxury brand. I took a look at the original and decided to wander off in my own direction, and I’m really happy with where I ended up.
One of the first things that caught my eye in the original ingredient list was the amount of honey. I’ve used honey in masks before, but it was the top ingredient—the mask had more honey than anything else. Colour me intrigued.
I decided to blend a good amount of raw honey with some Dead Sea mud for extra minerals, rich borage oil, and astringent witch hazel for my liquid base.
To this enzyme rich, mineral and vitamin spiked base I added smooth white white kaolin clay (USA / Canada) and some silk peptides. And last but not least, a blend of essential oils—bright wild orange and cardamom with soft Peru balsam and cedarwood.
The final mask is thick, creamy, and luxurious. Unlike most clay masks it doesn’t dry out, nor does it dry the skin—I didn’t need any follow up argan oil (USA / Canada), even here in dry Calgary. Definitely give this creamy mask a go, I think you’ll love it.
Silken Muddy Honey Mask
2 tsp runny raw honey
1 tsp Dead Sea mud
10 drops borage oil (or other rich carrier oil)
1 tsp witch hazel11 tsp (3 tbsp + 2 tsp) white kaolin clay (USA / Canada)
¼ tsp silk peptides3 drops wild orange essential oil (can substitude other citrus essential oils)
1 drop cardamom essential oil
4 drops Peru balsam essential oil (can substitute benzoin essential oil)
6 drops cedarwood essential oilWhisk together the honey, mud, oil, and witch hazel in a small bowl. The Dead Sea mud I used is from Saffire Blue, and it’s quite runny. If yours is more paste-like, use ½ tsp of the mud and add another ½ tsp of witch hazel.
Sprinkle in the silk and clay a little at a time, whisking between additions. Next up, whisk in the essential oils.
To use, smooth over your face and leave it for 20–30 minutes before rinsing off.
This recipe will make enough for about three applications, so you can either share with a couple friends, or cover the leftovers (I recommend some clingfilm right on the surface of it to keep it hydrated) and store them in the fridge. Use within 4 days.
I have used a clay mask occasionally since I was a young teenager. Since I have discovered on your site so many variations and how easy to make they are, I’m hooked. Now it’s more like 3 a week, rather than 1 every 3 months! My skin will love this 1 also, I’m willing to bet. 🙂
I’m totally addicted, too! I do at least one a week, and usually more. They’re amazing 🙂 My skin is so happy!
What can I substitute for the cedar wood?
I am venturing into facial masks and want to make this perfect for my first one with my daughter.
You are so giving and professional in your posts and I every one I have made has become a staple to my beauty regime.
Thank you.
Hi Carol Anne! Check out this article on EO substitutions 🙂 Also, feel free to choose an EO like lavender that you like and happen to have on hand—the EO’s are kind of icing on the cake for this recipe 😉
good afternoon from vienna! thank you so much for recreating my favorite mask!! I´m so exited to try it out!!! love from alexandra
Thanks so much for the idea, Alexandra! Enjoy it and do let me know what you think 🙂
Great post. What preservative would you recommend?
I recommend making it in the quantity listed here and using it all up at once (or perhaps two uses, storing the remainder in the fridge for up to three days). No preservative needed—think of it like food 🙂
Hi, would it be possible to make this in a large quantity and add a preservative so it keeps longer?
I haven’t tried it, but in theory it is possible.
This looks wonderful! I can’t wait to try it (err, with modification to the few essential oils I own so far). A propos of nothing, can I just say that your wonderful cheerfulness keeps me clicking back again and again as much as your wonderful recipes? So thanks for making your little corner of the internet such a positive, adventurous place! 🙂
Thanks so much, Rachel 🙂 Enjoy the mask and thanks so much for reading & DIYing with me!
Hi Marie, thanks for sharing this recipe! My Dead Sea mud was very thick so I thinned the mask with a little Aloe Vera gel juice. Absolutely loved the consistency and what it did for my skin, which was to leave it very soft. Cheers, Kim
Awesome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for reading & DIYing with me 🙂