Homemade Lavender Cleansing Grains: Facial Cleanser, Mask, or Scrub
Cleansing grains are made with two main ingredients: clay and oats. The grains are used to both cleanse and exfoliate the face. To cleanse the face, a portion of the grains are mixed with a liquid to form a paste. If you’d like to customize the grains, add a drop of essential oil the paste before cleansing. Storage: Up to 6 months Makes: 4 ounces
1droplavender essential oilor geranium, frankincense, or tea tree essential oil, optional
Instructions
Combine the oats, lavender, and clay in a spice/coffee grinder and blend for 45 seconds, in 15 second intervals. When you’re done, leave the lid on your spice/coffee grinder for a minute to allow the dust to settle. Empty the grains into a clean jar for long-term storage.
To use the grains as a face mask:
Combine 1-2 teaspoons of the grains with 1-2 teaspoons of canned coconut milk, and (optional) essential oil. Apply the mask to the face, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
To use the grains as a daily cleanser or a scrub:
Combine 1 teaspoon of the grains with 1 teaspoon of canned coconut milk. Add (optional) the essential oil. Massage the face with upward, circular motions, then rinse the grains off with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with a toner and/or moisturizer.
Notes
Kaolin clay is a very common clay used in cleansing grains. It's considered a versatile cosmetic clay that is suitable for all skin types. If you don't want to use Kaolin clay, you may also try: bentonite clay (very detoxifying--so it may be too much as a daily cleanser), French green clay, or rhassoul clay.I keep a small mason jar of coconut milk in my fridge for culinary use--using it within a couple of weeks, although the can says about a week. I've been using a small amount of the coconut milk to mix with the grains. If you don't have any coconut milk available, try water, aloe vera gel or juice, or even mix it with a gentle cleaner (like my honey and aloe cleanser). The goal is to create a soft paste that's easy to spread on the skin.You can definitely double or triple the amounts called for to make the cleansing grains. The grains are a shelf-stable product.