Mint Chocolate Face Mask

Here's some food for your face.  Seriously.  Have you ever thought about what you are putting on your face when you buy those fancy creams and lotions?  I have a rule: never put anything on your skin unless you can eat it.  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs everything that you rub into it.  If it's not safe to eat, it's not safe to use on your skin!  Besides, did you ever think about how your diet affects your skin?  Everyone knows "you are what you eat".  A good diet is the basis of healthy, glowing skin.  We all shine from the inside-out, so let's keep a natural glow by ditching chemical masks and embracing natural, whole foods that do more than just fill us up.

My path to ditching commercial beauty products was a slow and gradual one that began around two years ago when I realized most are full of chemicals.  I began seeking natural products that were chemical free.  I found them along with a steep price tag.  While I sucked it up and got myself a good face wash, cream, and make-up, I quickly became annoyed that I was paying so much for natural products!  There had to be a way to make my own, cheaper.  So I did some research.  There are thousands of homemade skin care products online, however most of them are complicated and involve having all sorts of natural oils, essences, and things that I didn't have in my pantry let alone know where to find in a store.

Enter my current skin care routine.  I have been happily and successfully caring for my face (beautifying my face?) for over a year now.  It is easy, cheap, and really works!  My skin care routine looks something like this: raw honey as a face wash and coconut oil as a moisturizer.  I'll use raw apple cider vinegar as a toner if my skin feels like it needs a pick-me-up or as a spot treatment.  I'll explain how and why all that works in a later post.  Today is all about this mint chocolate face mask.

One of my favorite parts of natural skin care is creating your own personalized face masks.  Each ingredient has a different purpose and you can easily mix and match to end up with the best combination for your skin.  This mint chocolate face mask is good for just about every skin type.  I have extremely sensitive skin and this works wonders.  Usually I'll apply this mask once or twice a week in the morning while I drink my coffee.  It dries in about 5 minutes, then you can wash it off and go on with your day!  It will leave your skin hydrated, super soft, and glowing.  It also smells fantastic and is edible.  Anyone down for some mint chocolate?

Here is a breakdown of how each ingredient benefits your skin:

Cacao powder and coffee grinds help rejuvenate skin, making it glow.  Cacao powder also helps prevent sunburn while increasing blood flow and helping keep your skin fresh all day. Coffee grinds help wake-up a dull complexion while exfoliating skin to keep it clean and smooth. Mint leaves soothe and relax irritated skin, which helps shrink pores and any breakouts you might be experiencing.  Mint also helps replenish moisture and will keep skin hydrated well after applied. Raw Honey moisturizes and cleanses, un-clogging pores and leaving skin clean and soft.  It also has natural antibacterial properties that help treat and prevent breakouts.  Coconut Oil will smooth, soften, and hydrate skin cells, break down dead cells, heal acne, and help protect skin from harmful UV rays.

Pretty cool, huh?  I love how amazingly versatile food is. I hope you will give this mask a try as it feels amazing on, and noticeably makes your skin look better.  It only takes a few minutes to make and each batch will last you three of four times.  Once you put it on, relax for five minutes.  You might scare anyone who sees you, but who cares!  You are getting a food facial while basking in the delicious aroma of mint chocolate!

Mint Chocolate Face Mask

yield: enough for 3-5 uses

1 tsp cacao powder
2 tsp coffee grinds
1 tsp fresh mint, finely chopped and crushed
1/2 tsp raw honey
1/2 tsp coconut oil, melted

1-2 tsp finely ground flaxseeds, as needed

Directions:
Mix everything except the ground flaxseed very well.  Place in a small, airtight container.  Spoon a teaspoon of the mixture into a small cup and add the ground flaxseed in 1/4 tsp increments, mixing well after each addition, until your desired consistency is reached.  You want the mast to be thick, but not so thick that you can't spread it.

To apply the mask:
Warm a teaspoon or two of the mask.  Rinse off your face with warm water and pat dry.  Apply the mask and let dry, about five minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.  Depending on how hydrated your skin feels (the coconut oil and honey both are extremely moisturizing), you can choose to apply your favorite moisturizer or not.