Kombucha Spa Day! Try these Kombucha Skin Care Ideas

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Eating better is one way to clear up skin problems. Drinking Kombucha can help with that. But there’s another way Kombucha is good for your skin, and that’s topically. In fact, you can use Kombucha as skin care right on your face, or even use the  SCOBY!

 

Can Kombucha help acne?

As with most Kombucha Benefits, a combination of anecdotal evidence and newly emerging research is all that is available right now. And there are good reasons to believe that Kombucha is good for your face or any skin on your body.

The low pH of Kombucha and especially Kombucha Vinegar makes it a natural astringent. This can act like a mild acid peel, removing dead skin cells and leaving the skin softer, without the danger of burning or damaging the skin with harsh chemicals.

And biofilms like the Kombucha SCOBY are used for medical applications where substitute skin or a suitable healing layer is needed, such as for burns or after surgery.

If it’s good enough to heal those kinds of injuries, it’s no wonder the cosmetic industry is responding.

But rather than pay top dollar for commercial Kombucha skin care products, make your own at home and have a Kombucha Spa Day with family, friends, or just to spoil yourself!

Here are 5 easy recipes you can try at home.

Kombucha Skin Care recipe ideas for homebrewers

**Note: If you have sensitive skin, test on a small section of skin before applying to your face. Consult your dermatologist before beginning any new skincare regimen.

 

 

Kombucha Skin Care Recipes

1. Simple SCOBY Face Masque

The texture of this face masque is a bit different as the bacterial cellulose of the SCOBY doesn’t perfectly puree leaving it a bit chunkier. Adding a binder will help to keep it together and increases emollience for those with dry skin. You can whip this up in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. It may grow a “skin” across the top, simply remove that layer or stir to return to a smoother texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 SCOBY culture
  • 1/4-1/2 cup of Kombucha tea (KT)
  • Optional additions
  • whipped raw egg white
  • almond oil
  • aloe vera
  • Vitamin E oil
  • essential oils

Instructions

  1. Place the SCOBY and  1/4 – 1/2 cup of Kombucha depending on the size of your culture in the blender and pulse until smooth.
  2. If using a binder, such as a raw egg or almond oil, add to the blender.
  3. If you like, you may also add Aloe Vera, Vitamin E oil and  lavender essential oil or rose essential oil (just a few drops for fragrance) for added benefits.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Store in a clean jar in the refrigerator indefinitely. Toss if it grows mold.

Directions for Use

  1. Using clean hands, apply to a freshly washed face. It will have a chunky, applesauce type texture to it so it may not go on evenly – that’s OK.
  2. Find a comfortable position and allow it to remain on the face 5-15 minutes.
  3. Then rinse off completely and pat dry.
  4. Marvel at your beautiful complexion in the mirror and whisper sweet affirmations to your gorgeous self.

NOTES

  1. I find it’s best when I can lay down and relax for these few minutes while the masque is on my face.
  2. Experiment until you find your perfect recipe.
  1. Adding a cup or two of KT to your bath not only softens the skin, but removes soap scum from the tub.
hannah crum, the Kombucha Mamma!

My Daily Kombucha Skin Care Routine: Kombucha Soap

  1. Ever since I found out about Kombucha soap, I’ve been hooked. Check out this post about it plus a Kombucha Soap Recipe here.
  1. It is the only soap that I use because it gets me squeaky clean with no soap scum.
  1. Plus it contains active Kombucha culture which leaves my skin soft and smooth without drying it out.
  1. We don’t actually make the soap as it is a bit complex. And sadly our soap maker of many years has now retired. I’m using up the last of my stockpile so if you find an amazing Kombucha soap you love, let us know!!

2. Kombucha Clay Masque

  1. Kombucha Vinegar is easy to make by accident! Simply forget about that batch fermenting in the back of the cupboard and then find it a few months later. While it won’t be delicious to drink, it has a host of great uses including skin care. You can also make Kombucha Vinegar using the recipe in The Big Book of Kombucha.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon kaolin, red or French green clay 
  • 2 teaspoons Kombucha Vinegar (KV)
    • variation 1 teaspoon KV & 1 teaspoon rosewater 

Instructions

  1. Mix together the clay and KV with your fingers until you’ve formed a paste.
  2. Don’t bother saving this as it will just dry out. Make a fresh batch every time!

Directions for Use

  1. Smooth onto face with clean fingers or a paint brush.
  2. Allow to dry for about 15-20 minutes. 
  3. Rinse with cool water & pat dry with a soft towel.
  4. Admire your glowing complexion and compliment yourself in the mirror  – Who is that hottie?! Oh yeah, it’s you!

NOTES

Substitute 1 teaspoon of KV for rosewater if additional anti-aging benefits are desired.

3. Whole SCOBY

The pH of the Kombucha creates a mild acid peel which sloughs away dead skin, and the cellulose structure of the SCOBY creates nano-structures which help to fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, Kombucha naturally contains hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing ingredient often found in anti-aging beauty products. It will pull circulation to the face which regenerates skin cells and may cause temporary redness. 

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Select a thin SCOBY from your SCOBY Hotel.
  2. If you prefer, remove any large bits of yeast.
  3. You may also cut out eyeholes however we usually just lay it right on our face.

Directions for Use

  1. Find a comfortable fainting couch or feather bed to lie down. Laying prone will prevent the culture from slipping off of your adorable face.
  2. Place an entire culture directly on your face – relax, the SCOBY will not suck your brains out!
  3. Keep a towel handy to catch the drips as the Kombucha runs down your face and neck.
  4. Relax for 10-15 minutes with your eyes closed. If you choose to open them, you may experience a mild stinging sensation in the eyes.
  5. Listen to your favorite meditation music, angry podcaster or whatever lightens your mood.
  6. Remove the SCOBY and return to a clean jar.
  7. Rinse face in cool water, then pat dry.
  8. Catch a glimpse of your slightly reddened visage in the mirror and smirk knowing that soon you will feel like you look 10 years younger.
  9.  

NOTES

  1. The skin may appear red for a period of time, this is normal and fades quickly.
  1. You could store this same culture in a separate jar with some fermented Kombucha just for your facial regimen, otherwise compost after use.
  1. It is NOT recommended to use cultures that have been on your face to brew Kombucha.

4. Facial Toner

  1. Facial toners are often made using harsh ingredients that can dry the skin or with extra preservatives that damage the skin biome. The mild acids of Kombucha, combined with relaxing or uplifting essential oils, naturally soften skin without over-drying. Instead, it gently tightens pores and removes excess oil. For best results, make small batches.

Ingredients

  1. 2oz Kombucha Vinegar (KV)
  2. 2-4 drops essential oil(s)*
  3.  

Instructions

  1. Combine fermented KT & a few drops of essential oil in a glass jar.
  2.  

Directions for Use

  1. Douse a cotton ball with the toner. Alternatively, insert a sprayer into the bottle and spritz onto the face.
  2. Store in a cool, dark location. Keeps indefinitely. 
  3.  

NOTES

  1. Suggested oils for beauty

    Be sure to patch test your essential oils to avoid unwanted sensitivity or allergic reactions. Remove the sprayer between uses to prevent SCOBY from growing.

5. Hair Tonic

For this recipe, it is vital that the Kombucha be fully fermented to vinegar or the residual sugars may leave your hair sticky.  This rinse gently removes oils without stripping the hair so it is soft and shiny.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add fresh or dried herbs to a clean glass jar.
  2. Cover with well fermented KT/KV.
  3. Infuse for 3-5 days.
  4. Strain out the herbs and add the tea tree oil (optional).
  5. Store tightly capped in cool, dark location. 

Directions for Use

  1. Use as the last rinse before leaving the shower.
  2. Squeeze excess from hair but allow it to remain in the hair.
  3. The smell will quickly fade when it dries.
  4. Comb hair through to remove tangles.
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