Tried a 'natural' clay mask recipe from a blog and it burned a client's skin

So I saw this post about making your own detox mask with bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar, no preservatives needed. I mixed up a small batch last Tuesday for a regular who said she wanted something pure. Applied it, left it on for the usual 10 minutes, and when I took it off her face was bright red and stinging. She said it felt like a sunburn. I felt awful. The blog said it was 'gentle' but I guess the vinegar was way too strong, even diluted. I had to use a ton of aloe and a cool compress to calm it down. Lesson learned, I'm not playing chemist anymore. Has anyone else had a bad reaction from a DIY skincare mix they tried?

3 comments

3 Comments

bailey.xena2mo ago

Watched a friend try a turmeric and yogurt mask that promised a glow. It stained her skin bright yellow for two days, and the yogurt smell just baked in. Some of these kitchen recipes really don't translate to skin.

sam_harris682mo ago

Tell your friend to mix turmeric with a little honey and lemon juice next time, it helps stop the staining. The yogurt thing is real though, that sour milk smell gets into your pores. I tried a cinnamon and nutmeg scrub once that left me looking sunburned for a week. Some DIY stuff just backfires, @bailey.xena, no matter how good it sounds online.

susanm2222d ago

Oh @bailey.xena, does your friend still have a yellow tint or did it finally fade? Because I tried a similar thing last year with turmeric and honey, and I swear I looked like I had jaundice for three days. The worst part was the yogurt smell - it hung around even after I washed my face twice. I get why people try these kitchen masks, they sound so natural and cheap, but my skin just can't handle it. I had a coworker who swore by an oatmeal and egg white mask for tightening pores, but she ended up with little bits of dried egg all over her bathroom sink. Your friend is not alone in this, trust me.