How to: Decongesting & Purifying Face Mask

L-R jojoba oil, green clay, manuka honey, raw cacao, cinnamon

Face masks are the simplest products to make yourselves at home. I also believe that home-made face masks are the best because they are freshly made. If you have oily or combination skin, I have a great mask for you! This face mask uses clay to draw out impurities, as well as heating properties of raw cacao powder and cinnamon to really decongest and revive the skin. Raw cacao has more antioxidants flavonoids than blueberries and green tea. In addition, I like to add some nourishing and moisturising ingredients to balance the purifying action of the mask and make sure it is not drying, by mixing in some nourishing oil and manuka honey. 
This mask is very easy to make and perfect for a Sunday evening ritual. The cacao makes it smell chocolaty, so its a real pleasure for the senses. 
What you will need:

• Clay (I like to use green clay powder)
• Raw cacao powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Oil (such as olive, argan, coconut, jojoba... )
• Manuka honey 
• A little bit of water or green tea

Mixing the clay, cacao & cinnamon first

First I mix the powders together: I use about two tea spoons of clay powder, a 3/4 tea spoon of raw cacao powder and about a 1/3 tea spoon of cinnamon. If you want the mask to have stronger heating properties then use a bit more cacao and cinnamon. However, if you have sensitive skin don't use too much: this face mask really heats up and your skin is quite reddish at the end. I then add a little bit of water: to create a thick yogurt consistency of the mask. Be careful with the water, add it little by little not to make the mask too watery, start off with a tea spoon and add more as you go along if needed. I then stir in about a tea spoon of manuka honey and a few good drops of your chosen oil. What you get at the end is a thick yogurt consistency grey-brown face mask. It smells absolutely delicious thanks to the cacao and cinnamon. 

The ready mixture

The mask on the skin

Put a thick layer on your face and leave for 15-20 minutes. If your skin is quite sensitive, leave only for 10 minutes. When I use more cacao and cinnamon, my face is quite red at the end, and feels quite hot. After the mask the skin feels really clean and refreshed. It's great at drawing out impurities and nourishing the skin at the same time. Raw cacao has lots of benefits and I am surprised how it is not used more often in skincare.