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Ayurvedic herbs are not something that I keep around often.  But recently I acquired a couple, one for a health supplement, the other for a hair detangler.  And turns out after research, both ingredients are also common in commercial skin care ingredients.

Gotu Kola was recommended to me as a superfood additive to my smoothies or as a capsule.  It’s supposed to be amazing for brain health, anti inflammatory and energy levels.  But for your skin it boosts collagen, skin elasticity, and speeds up the healing of your skin.

The second ingredient in our herbal face mask is marshmallow root powder.  No not the marshmallow you would use in s’mores.  Those are now just made of sugar, gelatin and egg.  But back in the day, marshmallow was made from this plant.  It’s a natural mucilage so it’s super hydrating and healing for your skin.

This mask is taking us back to nature with these amazing herbs and clay.

We absorb 60% of what we put on our skin, what’s in your skincare ingredients?

As I was creating this mask, when I removed it I was delightfully surprised at the exfoliation of the gotu kola.  Bonus!

This restoring herbal face mask is great for:

• Gentle exfoliation
• Inflamed skin
• Acne and blemishes
• Dark spots and scars
• Aging skin or UV damaged skin
• Boosting collagen production
• Sensitive skin
• Psoriasis
• Shrinking the appearance of pores

So let’s add some simple herbs and all their healing properties to this face mask.

At first the french green clay seemed like the best clay to use for this mask.  I just finished yesterday putting together my Kaolin clay mask series and just couldn’t resist using both of the clay in this recipe.  Find the best 9 kaolin clay masks here.

But you can get both Kaolin and French Green Clay in our facial clay assortment pack.

Don’t be afraid to mix your clays together.  You can combine the different properties of each type of clay to make a wonderful clay mask.  For Kaolin, I love to combine that with Bentonite and French Green Clay. 

Is Gotu Kola good for your skin?

Also called, centella asiatica, gotu kola is an ancient herb grown in tropical regions of africa, india and china.  This simple looking plant has a pretty long list of reasons why to add this herb to your diet too.  It’s often touted as increasing brain function, improving memory and overall immune system health but it also aids in depression, anxiety and slowing tumor growth.

Gotu Kola also a common ingredient in skincare products.  Particularly in skincare treatments of photoaging skin and cellulite treatments.  Because gotu kola has been proven to increase the the synthesis of collagen.

The main reason for it’s skincare efficacy is a triterpenoid compound, also known as saponins. (source)

Tip: you can buy Gotu Kola in a couple different ways.  As a tea, powder, liquid extract or capsules.

The benefits of Gotu Kola for your skin are:

1. Improving Collagen Production

Numerous studies have been conducted that show increase type I collagen and reduction in inflamed response after topical application.

Does Gotu Kola tighten skin?

Collagen production is integral to your skin elasticity and firmness.  When our collagen production begins to slow (especially type I collagen), this results in formation of wrinkles or sagging skin.  Aka, tighter skin. I also add collagen to our diet with a natural collagen generator, biosil.

2. Repair photoaging skin

What is photoaging skin?

It’s the damage of skin cells by UV damage that causes premature aging.  We are all exposed to the sun and are at risk of this if we aren’t using proper sun protection 100% of the time.

Gotu Kola is antioxidant rich, comparable to vitamin C and grapeseed extract for antioxidant content. (Gotu Kola composition)

Anti oxidants are powerful to repair and protect your skin from further photoaging damage.

3. Antibacterial – Fight acne!

In this test against numerous bacteria, gotu kola was shown to be effective against bacteria.  Some acne can be caused by an acne bacteria that infects clogged pores, causing breakouts.  Cleansing your skin of bacteria is an important part of reducing acne.  

What is Marshmallow root?

Marshmallow root is a herb that comes from the marshmallow plant.

Yes, you read that correct.

Marshmallows are plants.

Well they used to be at least.  The marshmallow you and I know did come from this plant originally.  Commercialism has taken over and now they are made from egg, gelatin and sugar.  Surprised?  So well reading this, please don’t think that any of the pretty cool herbal benefits can be achieved from those fluffy white sugar balls you see in stores.

Here’s what a marshmallow plant looks like:

Marshmallow root, often known as Althaea, is often used for digestive problems and restoring gut health.

It’s found in a couple different forms, tea, powdered form, capsules or liquid extract.  The root is the natural skin protector, the plant extract will not be as effective. 

Is Marshmallow Root good for your skin?

These health and skin benefits are often because marshmallow root is a natural mucilage.  What is a mucilage? A thick gooey liquid produced by plants that sticks to and coats the surface it attaches too.  But it’s antioxidant properties are also beneficial.

Relieve Skin Irritation and Inflammation

With an ointment of 20% marshmallow root extract, this study showed reduced irritation from UV induced damage.  It also showed that it was only slightly less effective than an anti inflammatory synthetic drug.

Anti inflammatory benefits can be especially useful in the treatment of furunculosis, eczema and acne.

Protect your skin from UV Damage

Marshmallow root has been shown to protect your skin from UVA induced damage.  We source out ingredients that are powerful protectors of your skin against uv damage. Normally we focus on the benefit of reducing the signs of aging.  But UV damage does much much more.

Did you know?

– 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun damage.

– 50% of all cancer is skin cancer.

Marshmallow root has potential to be used as natural ingredient in sunscreen but more research is necessary.

How to Mix Kaolin & French Green Clay!

Both of these clays are wonderful just by themselves.  But I’m loving them in this mask together combined with our herbal infusion.

French Green clay is great for rejuvenating your skin, tightening, and shrinking the appearance of pores.  It’s also great for acne and removing bacteria from your skin.  I even like to spot treat following the classic french green clay recipe.

On the other hand, Kaolin Clay is much gentler therefore a good choice for sensitive skin.  It can even be used everyday.  Like all clays, it has excellent absorption qualities.  But I find that it doesn’t over-dry my skin. Read more in our benefits of kaolin clay.

French Green Clay is great for normal, combination or oily skin.  But Kaolin is ideal for sensitive skin and is much gentler.  I like to combine the benefits of both of these clays creating a balanced clay mask.

Want to try mixing both? Our facial clay assortment pack has both French Green Clay and Kaolin clay along with Bentonite and Rhassoul clay.

Manuka honey clay mask and tropical papaya face mask recipes are a couple of our other kaolin clay mask recipes.  Or check out our list of french green clay masks. 

Restoring Herbal Mask Ingredients

Recipe Yield: 1 face masks

You will need:  

• ½ tsp Kaolin Clay
• ½ tsp French Green Clay
• ¼ tsp gotu kola powder
• ¼ tsp marshmallow root powder
• 1 tsp of purified water*

*Use witch hazel or rose water instead of purified water. Always use purified water. Do you potentially want chlorine just chilling on your face?

Equipment required:

• 1 glass, wooden or plastic bowl (glass is preferred)
• 1 plastic, or wooden spoon

Mix How to Mix Gotu Kola and Marshmallow Root Herbal Mask

This recipe yields 1 face mask recipe. If you make too much, cover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Step 1:  Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl. ½ tsp Kaolin Clay, ½ tsp French Green Clay, ¼ tsp Gotu Kola and ¼ tsp Marshmallow Root Powder.

*Note I got my marshmallow root in a capsule form.  Use capsules the same way you would powder.

Step 2: Add 1 tsp of water or substitute with witch hazel or rose petal water.  Mix thoroughly with a plastic or wooden spoon.  I always use my mini spatula and it works great!

That’s it! This is a pretty simple 2 step face mask recipe, provided you have the ingredients.  If you don’t have the ingredients, your everyday health will thank you if you add them to your diet.

How to apply Gotu Kola Herbal Mask to your Face:

A nice surprise of this mask was it’s exfoliation.  So while applying, ditch the mask application brush and get those fingers messy.

For application follow these instructions:

1. Cleanse your skin prior to applying a mask.

2. With your fingers apply 1/2 the mask mixture and gently exfoliate your skin in circular motions.

3. After exfoliation add the remaining herbal clay mask. Remove the clay mask BEFORE it dries.  To remove, gently splash water to rehydrate the clay.  Then remove with water or face towel.

4. Follow up with a toner like witch hazel or diluted apple cider vinegar for acne prone skin.

5. Apply a moisturizer.  I followed up this recipe with a rosehip seed oil at nighttime.

I go over in much more detail any questions about how to use a dry clay mask.

Disclaimer: Our content does not constitute a dermatologist or medical advice.

Did you try this mask? I would love to hear how it worked for you! Leave a comment below.

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