Spirulina Face Mask
As many of you may know I used to be a make up artist and esthetician. I worked in some of the fanciest spa's in the Metro Vancouver area. Although I don't do cosmetology for a living anymore I still love to play around with different products and use the knowledge I learned from working in the industry for myself. I've had a chance to try out a ton of different skin care lines and definitely have my favorites. The problem is since I don't get employee discounts on product and free samples anymore there is no way I can afford those luxurious cleansers and lotions anymore.
However, since I am a crafty little gnome I usually find a way to make my own versions of my favorite products on the cheap. Previously I showed you how to make your own version of Lancome's Bi Facil Eye Make Up remover , how to make your own pore strips and I posted a tutorial on the Oil Cleansing Method. Today I am going to show you how to make a Spirulina Face Mask based on my favorite face mask of all time The Rejuvenating Spirulina Masque by Kerstin Florian. When I worked at one particular day spa we used Kerstin Florian products and when ever I used the Spirulina Mask on a client they always looked AMAZING afterwards. The mask sells for about $65 USD and I don't know about you but I have a lot more important things to spend $65 on than a face mask. So, I am going to show you how to make it for just pennies!
What the heck is Spirulina?
So, what the heck is Spirulina? Spirulina is a blue-green sea algae. It is essentially "the perfect food" and many people (including me), use it as a health supplement. You can buy it in capsule or powder form. I bought a 1 lb bag of the powder recently and have been adding it to my smoothies and other meals.
Some benefits of Spirulina:
Spirulina contains about 70% protein, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, B vitamins and chlorophyll. It also has abundant essential fatty acids, B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc.
It's considered a super food and an antioxidant and used to help detoxify and cleanse the body. It's a great source of protein and iron for people like me who eat very little animal products.
So if Spirulina is so great for your body it makes sense to use it as part of a skincare treatment.!
I tried to look up the ingredients in the Kerstin Florian Mask but they only listed spirulina, clay and rosemary extract in the ingredients. I'm sure there are other ingredients not listed to extend it's shelf life, etc.
So, if you want to make your own here is the recipe that I came up with:
1 teaspoon spirulina powder
1 teaspoon Castor oil
1-2 drops of rosemary or other essential oil.
The clay helps to draw out oils and impurities out of your pores. In my recipe it is replaced by Castor oil. Castor oil does the same thing and is more readily available than clay. You can find it in the laxative section of the drugstore.
Rosemary is an antioxidant and helps to promote circulation. Depending on your skin type and specific needs you can use other oils like Lavender (for acne prone skin) or Evening Primrose oil (for mature skin).
Instructions:
Add the powder first to a little bowl and then slowly add the Castor oil. You want to make a paste like mud. Then add 1 or two drops of your favorite essential oil.
Wash your skin and lightly exfoliate. Smear the mask on thickly and leave it for at least 15 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water and a washcloth (use a dark one as it may stain)
Sorry, no embarrassing pictures of my make-up less face or of it covered in green goo!
Do you make any of your own beauty products?
melissa says
I use a spirulina face mask twice a week. Mine is simple. One egg and one teaspoon of spirulina and a drizzle of honey. I beat it in a bowl and apply it all over my face and neck with a concealer brush. Let it dry and harden. Then wash. Amazing stuff!
adrienneaudrey says
great recipe! I will be trying this one!
Unknown says
What about coconut oil to replace castor oil?
Khaliqa Rahma says
Nice information .. Which one is the best, spirulina mask + milk or spirulina mask +honey. Thanks
Anonymous says
What a wonderful recipe. I take Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica. A light bulb went on and I thought, if spirulina is good enough to drink, then certainly I should be able to put it on my body and get good results. I Googled and found a recipe where the user mixed spirulina with Manuka honey(high grade) and kept it on her face for two hours. I did not have that sort of honey but I did have some organic. She did mix in one other ingredient, but I opted for just the Spiru and honey. And yes, I kept the goo on my face for two hours. Unfortunately, I did not exfoliate beforehand, as you suggested. To remove the mixture, I used the round disposable cosmetic pads, that I use daily, to rinse my face.
After rinsing, I was speechless at how beautiful my mature skin looked and felt. It was a little flakey which I attribute to not exfoliating first. Of course I had not pulled up your article, so now I know.
I am going to try your mix as I have a bottle of Palma Christi - Hexane Free, castor oil. This is a high grade pure castor oil that can actually be used as a poultice for infection and other maladies.
Can I put this mask on my neck? I have been told that due to the delicate skin on the neck, that you should not put a mask there. Also, is it safe to put it directly underneath my eyes?
Thank you, and may God bless you, for sharing.
Anonymous says
Hi all! I don't know where anyone is located, but Sprouts Market has Spirulina as well as Acai in the bulk spice section. And of course they carry all of the essential oils as well. 🙂
Misty says
Love, love this homemade spirulina face mask. I hope I can buy spirulina, castor and essential oil this weekend. I'm excited!
Marilyn says
I just had to post again. My skin (minus the broken out area) was so beautiful this morning, absolutely radiant. You were so not kidding. Thank you again for this recipe, it's amazing!
Marilyn says
I cannot tell you how awesome this is, thank you SO MUCH! I am having a real problem with breakouts lately and just today decided to up my chlorella and wheatgrass intake, when I thought, what if I put the chlorella on my face? So I googled it and came up with your recipe, which sounds perfect. I used fuller's earth instead of castor oil (even though I have castor oil) because I'm afraid of putting oil on my skin. I am also going to try what the other person said about the bottom of her smoothie, and I'm going to maybe get some spirulina to try this as well.
If anyone needs a good place to order these things, I really love iherb.com, and if you need a coupon, PEY561 works.
rajie suwarneraj says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous says
Not yet
Yolanda Russo says
that is a great idea. thanks
Trixxie says
I also make a spirulina face mask and it works really well 🙂
Anonymous says
Ooops..I just checked and Nutsonline.com is now known as Nuts.com. Same place, new name, still awesome.
Anonymous says
Nutsonline.com sells spirulina powder, and they deliver very quickly. It's where I get mine.
Anonymous says
hi maybe i can help you with because i am a distributor of spirulina tablet
Adrienne Audrey says
oooh, thanks for sharing. Since there are all those other wonderful ingredients in your smoothie this seems like a great idea!
Anonymous says
I use the algae in the bottom on my smoothie glass on my face as a mask several times a week. Usually the smoothie has fresh coconut water, fresh pineapple juice, spirulina, chlorella, and blue green algae, plus cinnamon and stevia. I have seen the skin on my face tighten (labia lines are less) and my skin glows, plus I almost never have breakout now. For me it was only logical since the green stuff is so expensive I don't like to let any of it go to waste, plus knowing algae is small enough to pass through the membrane around the brain and nourish it directly I figure it would be freely absorbed into the skin and I believe my improved appearance it proof it does.
Anonymous says
I was wondering where I can buy the Spirulina Powder at. Im having a girls night in in a few days and this would be the perfect mask to try!
Anonymous says
Thank you so much for all the help.