The Bathroom MVP You Probably Aren't Using Enough
One Product. Three Surprisingly Handy Uses.
Let's be honest...
I'm all about products that earn their keep. If something only has one purpose, there's a pretty good chance it'll end up tucked in the back of my bathroom cabinet until I stumble across it months later and think, "Oh yeah... I forgot I even owned that!"
That's one of the reasons I always keep Young Living's Charcoal Mask within easy reach.
Sure, it was designed as a facial mask, and it's fantastic for that. But since I only use it about once a month, one tube lasts me a long time. Along the way, I've discovered a few other ways to use it, and now it's become one of those products I reach for far more often than I ever expected.
Honestly, if a product can pull triple duty instead of sitting around waiting for facial-mask day, that's a product worth hanging onto.
So... What Makes This Mask Different?
The Charcoal Mask combines gentle cleansing ingredients with botanical extracts to leave your skin feeling refreshed without feeling stripped.
🖤 Charcoal Powder helps absorb excess oil and lift away dirt and impurities from the surface of the skin.
🤍 Kaolin Clay is a gentle mineral clay that helps cleanse and absorb excess oil while remaining suitable for most skin types.
🌿 Salicylic Acid provides light exfoliation by helping clear away dead skin cells and keep pores looking cleaner.
💧 Botanical Extracts including cucumber, chamomile, licorice root, bilberry, and comfrey help soothe and condition the skin.
🌸 Essential Oils like Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, Tangerine, Rosemary, Bergamot, and Patchouli give the mask its fresh scent while complementing the overall skincare experience.
The formula also contains naturally derived alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) from fruit extracts like bilberry, lemon, sugarcane, and sugar maple. These gentle acids help exfoliate away dead skin cells, leaving skin looking brighter and feeling smoother after you rinse.
Now for my favorite part...
🖤 1. A Monthly Facial Reset
This is exactly what the Charcoal Mask was designed for, and honestly, my face has a lot to deal with during the summer. Sunscreen, sweat, humidity, makeup... it's basically working overtime.
About once a month, I smooth on a thin layer, let it dry, and rinse it off. The whole process takes very little effort, but my skin always feels noticeably cleaner, smoother, and refreshed. It's one of those simple routines that reminds me skincare doesn't have to be complicated to be effective.
When you apply the Charcoal Mask, you may notice a mild tingling or tightening sensation as it dries. That's completely normal and comes from the combination of naturally derived fruit acids (AHAs) and peppermint essential oil working together. I find it invigorating and refreshing.
Another thing I appreciate is what you won't find in the formula. It's dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, cruelty free, and made without parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, or petrochemicals. You know how I feel about crappy ingredients.
🖤 2. Give Your Armpits Some Love
Yep... we're talking about armpits.
Stay with me on this one because I've actually been doing it for years.
Once a month, after showering, I apply a thin layer of the Charcoal Mask to clean underarms, let it sit for about 10–15 minutes, and then rinse it off. It's become one of those simple little maintenance routines that takes almost no effort but leaves my underarms feeling extra fresh.
No, I'm not trying to perform some magical overnight "detox." I simply like using the charcoal and kaolin clay to give my underarms a deep clean and help remove the buildup that can accumulate from deodorant, sweat, and everyday life. If you're just making the switch from traditional antiperspirants after years of use, you may find it helpful to use the mask once a week for the first month. After that, pay attention to how your skin feels and decide whether you'd like to continue weekly or switch to a once-a-month maintenance routine like I do.
Sometimes our skin just appreciates a fresh start—and if it only takes 15 minutes once a month, I'm happy to add it to my routine.
🖤 3. Bug Bite Relief
This is the newest Charcoal Mask hack I've learned, and my first thought was, "Why have I never tried this before?"
Now, before anyone says it... yes, I absolutely love my Insect Repellent, and it's my go-to all summer long. But let's be real—every once in a while I get distracted, head outside for "just a minute," and completely forget to spray it on. That's usually when the mosquitoes decide it's an open invitation.
When that happens, I usually mix up a DIY itch-relief roller. Then I learned you can simply dab a little Charcoal Mask directly onto an itchy bug bite, let it dry, and rinse it off later.
The charcoal and kaolin clay create a cooling, soothing feeling as the mask dries, making it a simple way to help calm the itch and keep yourself from scratching.
Will I still make my DIY roller? Probably. But the next time I forget my bug spray and end up with a mosquito bite, I have a feeling I'll be reaching for the Charcoal Mask first. It's already sitting on my bathroom counter, ready to go, and there's something to be said for using what you already have instead of making one more DIY.
Anything that simplifies life—and saves me from washing another tiny roller bottle—is a win in my book.
Why I Love Multi-Purpose Products
The older I get, the more I appreciate products that can do more than one job. My bathroom cabinets aren't getting any bigger, and I'm not interested in buying five different products when one can do the trick.
When one tube can pull triple duty, it earns permanent counter space in my house. Less clutter. Less waste. More value from something I already own.
Honestly, if a product works this hard, the least I can do is let it stay on the counter. 😄
💡 Did You Know?
Activated charcoal is incredibly porous, which is one of the reasons it's such a popular ingredient in skincare. Its porous surface helps absorb excess oil and lift away dirt and other surface impurities, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean.
In the Young Living Charcoal Mask, it's paired with gentle kaolin clay to help absorb oil without over-drying the skin. Salicylic acid provides light exfoliation to help keep pores looking clearer, while soothing ingredients like aloe, cucumber, chamomile, licorice root, and other botanical extracts help leave your skin feeling balanced and refreshed.
It's a thoughtful combination of cleansing and soothing ingredients that works together to deep clean your skin while still being gentle enough for most skin types.
Keeping It Real...
One of my favorite things is discovering new ways to use products I already have instead of adding one more thing to my shopping list. I love a good DIY, but I also love finding simple solutions that don't require mixing, measuring, or buying another product.
Life is busy, bathroom cabinets only hold so much, and most of us don't need a separate product for every little problem. If I can make one product work a little harder, that's a win in my book.
Whether you're giving your skin a monthly refresh, showing your underarms a little extra love, or keeping this trick in your back pocket for the next time you forget your bug spray, the Young Living Charcoal Mask has definitely earned its permanent spot in my bathroom.
Now I want to hear from you! Have you discovered an unexpected way to use one of your Young Living products? Share your favorite "Why didn't I think of that sooner?!" hack in the comments. There's a good chance you'll teach the rest of us something new!
Want to Give It a Try?
If you're anything like me, you appreciate products that work a little harder so you don't have to. If you'd like to add the Young Living Charcoal Mask to your own bathroom counter, you can shop using the link below.
🖤 Shop the Charcoal Mask: https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/myaccount/wishlist?listId=6a4e6040660254000aa4dc02&enrollerId=3410574&sponsorId=3410574&userName=Jessica
Welcome to Keeping It Real with the EssentOILS
Around here, you'll find short-ish, sassy blog posts that skip the fluff and get straight to the good stuff. Real life is busy enough—you don't need to scroll through 800 words about my childhood before getting to the tip you came for.
If you enjoy practical wellness ideas, simple DIYs, diffuser blends, and realistic ways to use essential oils, be sure to follow me on Facebook, where I share even more education, recipes, and everyday inspiration.
And don't forget to check back here at Keeping It Real with the EssentOILS for more blogs that help you get the most out of the products you already have—with a little humor mixed in along the way. 💜
Jade Lemon Essential Oil: Why It's Always in My Summer Rotation
I recently placed an order for the Jacob & Kait summer blends and a new supplement for my hubby. As a bonus, I received a bottle of Jade Lemon.
Now, Jade Lemon wasn't new to me, but getting that free bottle reminded me just how often I reach for it.
If you're a citrus lover, there's a good chance Jade Lemon will quickly earn a permanent spot in your collection.
Bright, fresh, slightly sweet, and a little less sharp than traditional Lemon, Jade Lemon has become one of my favorite oils for summer.
What Makes Jade Lemon Different?
Jade Lemon has become one of Young Living's most-loved citrus oils, and once you smell it, it's easy to understand why.
It has a bright, sunny citrus aroma that's slightly sweeter and softer than traditional Lemon. It's uplifting without being overpowering and blends beautifully with everything from Lavender and Peppermint to other citrus oils.
What I love most is how versatile it is. Some oils have one specific purpose. Jade Lemon somehow ends up everywhere.
It's in my water, my diffuser, my room sprays, my cleaning recipes, and occasionally in projects I hadn't originally planned to use it for.
That's usually the sign of a really good oil.
My Favorite Way to Use Jade Lemon: Water
Let's be honest. Staying hydrated is not exactly my superpower.
Every morning I start with good intentions, and somehow by mid-afternoon I'm wondering why my water bottle is still mostly full. Adding Jade Lemon to my water makes hydration a little more enjoyable and encourages me to drink more throughout the day.
Important note: If you're adding Jade Lemon to water, it’s helpful to know that Young Living makes Jade Lemon with a Vitality (dietary) label.
Jade Lemon Summer Water
- 16-20 ounces water
- 1 drop Jade Lemon Vitality
- Ice
Simple, refreshing, and perfect for hot summer days.
Citrus Hydration Boost
- 20 ounces water
- 1 drop Jade Lemon Vitality
- 1 drop Lime Vitality
- Optional: Mineral Essence
This one tastes like summer in a cup.
Jade Lemon in the Diffuser
If I had to describe the scent of Jade Lemon in one word, it would be sunshine.
It's fresh, cheerful, and instantly brightens a room and It's one of my favorite oils to diffuse when I want my home to feel clean without smelling like a cleaning product.
Fresh Start Blend
- 3 drops Jade Lemon
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Lavender
Summer Sunshine Blend
- 4 drops Jade Lemon
- 3 drops Orange
- 2 drops Lime
Clean House Blend
- 4 drops Jade Lemon
- 3 drops Citrus Fresh
- 2 drops Peppermint
Perfect for those days when company is coming over and you're trying to make it look like you've had your life together all week.
Jade Lemon DIY Sprays
Jade Lemon shines in DIY recipes because it adds such a bright, fresh scent. Whether you're freshening a room, your linens, or your car, it instantly makes everything smell cleaner.
Fresh Linen Spray
- 2 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 10 drops Jade Lemon
- 5 drops Lavender
Shake before each use.
Summer Room Spray
- 2 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 8 drops Jade Lemon
- 5 drops Lime
- 3 drops Spearmint
This one smells like a summer vacation.
Car Refresh Spray
- 2 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 10 drops Jade Lemon
- 5 drops Peppermint
Perfect for freshening up the car after sports practices, road trips, and all the snacks that somehow end up under the seats.
Jade Lemon and Cleaning
One of the reasons citrus oils are so popular is because they naturally make everything smell fresh and clean.
Jade Lemon is one of my favorites to add to simple household cleaning recipes.
Countertop Spray
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
- 15 drops Jade Lemon
- 10 drops Lemon
Combine in a spray bottle and shake gently before use.
This is one of my favorite everyday cleaning sprays because it leaves counters smelling fresh and citrusy without the overpowering scent of many conventional cleaners. The Jade Lemon and Lemon give it a bright, clean aroma that makes the kitchen feel instantly refreshed.
Sink Freshener
- 2 drops Jade Lemon
- 2 drops Lemon
Add directly into the sink drain and run warm water.
Simple but effective.
Why Jade Lemon Is Perfect for Summer
Every season has its oils.
For me, Jade Lemon is definitely a summer oil. It finds its way into my water bottle, diffuser, room sprays, cleaning products, and even my car.
It's bright. It's cheerful. It smells amazing.
And unlike some oils that only get used occasionally, Jade Lemon is one I reach for over and over again.
If you've never tried it before, this might be the summer to change that.
I'd Love to Hear From You
Have you tried Jade Lemon yet?
If so, what's your favorite way to use it? Leave a comment below and share your favorite diffuser blend, DIY recipe, or hydration hack!
