DIY Face Mask Recipes With Essential Oils

Facial masks can benefit all skin types, improving skin color and texture, deep-cleansing, and removing surface dead cells. You can make a variety of DIY face mask recipes using essential oils suitable for your skin type.

Essential Oils for Face Masks

Here are commonly recommended essential oils for facial skin. This list is not comprehensive, and you may find other oils useful. Also, some oils may not be appropriate for you. Always spot test essential oils you haven’t previously used to make sure they don’t irritate your skin.

All skin types: geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, palmarosa, rose, rosewood
Dry skin: bergamot, carrot seed, german chamomile, petitgrain, roman chamomile, rosemary ct. verbenone, sandalwood
Oily skin: cedarwood, cypress, juniper, tea tree, ylang ylang
Sensitive skin: roman chamomile
Mature skin: frankincense, helichrysum, myrrh
Normal skin: ylang ylang

Oat-Almond Facial Mask

This DIY face mask recipe makes 10 applications and is suitable for all skin types.

1/3 cup kaolin clay
8 teaspoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons finely ground rolled oats (grind with a blender or food processor)
4 teaspoons finely ground almond meal
20 drops essential oils for your skin type

In small glass bowl, completely mix clay, cornstarch, oats, and almond meal.
One drop at a time, stir in essential oils.
Mix well.
Store mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.

To use, apply some of the mixture to face. Relax for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash face with lukewarm water.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Deep Cleansing Mask

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) bentonite clay
3 tablespoons water
8 drops tea tree essential oil
8 drops frankincense essential oil

Mix all ingredients. Apply to clean moist skin and let dry for about 15 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water. Moisturize.

Source: Elizabeth Ashley, “We Love Tea Tree,” Aromatherapy Thymes, Spring 2016, p. 52.

Aloe Vera Facial Moisturizing Mask

1/3 cup aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
1 tablespoon beeswax
10 drops essential oils of choice
2 drops vitamin E oil (optional)

In a double boiler over low heat, melt the almond oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax until well combined.
Pour the oil mixture into a bowl large enough that you can use a hand mixer without splashing.
Let the oil mixture cool to room temperature (for at least an hour, possibly longer).
Mix the essential oils and vitamin E oil into the aloe vera gel.
When the oil mixture is room temperature, slowly add the aloe vera gel mixture as you use a hand mixer to whip. You may not need all the aloe vera gel, so add it gradually.
Continue to whip until the mask reaches your desired consistency.
Put the mask mixture in a container with a tight lid. Use as desired

Source: Aloe Vera Beauty Tips and Recipes from Seven Minerals

Or for a simple aloe vera mask:

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon carrier oil
2 drops essential oil of choice

Source: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

DIY Face Mask Recipes

The following face masks use rhassoul clay, which helps gently deep cleanse and nourish the skin. Use these directions to make a mask:

In a small bowl, mix the rhassoul clay with enough of the listed oil or water to make a thin paste.
Add the essential oil and mix well.
Apply the mask to your face and neck (avoiding the delicate eye area).
Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off the mask.

Balancing Face Mask