Clay mask can be a great one of the best pick-me-ups for the skin. Considered an important medicinal and cosmetic tool, clay, is now becoming increasingly popular as a rediscovered treatment for several skincare conditions.
"Good cosmetic clays conditions and nourishes your skin by removing the dead cells and extracting the extra oils and impurities from the surface of the skin. One should apply clay a mask regularly as it can impart a natural glow to your face."
And there's a mask for every skin — from one for anti-ageing, to dealing with dryness, treating pimples and controlling acne, cleansing and firming the skin.
Kinds of clay
Owing to their mineral content, clay comes in a variety of colours. They also differ in texture and have diffferent properties. Bentonite clay (also called fuller's clay) are the most useful of all clays. It has absorbing properties and can be used as an exfoliant as it draws out impurities from the skin.
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| Bentonite clay |
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| Rhassoul clay |
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| Red clay |
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| French Green Clay |
Don't slather on the clay everywhere, restrict it to the regions of the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin and away from eyes and lips. How often can one use a clay mask? "People having oily skin can use clay masks for 2-4 days in a week or so. One can wash the mask with plain water."
Can it irritate the face?
No, clay mask does not cause any type of skin problems. "They are actually used to cure acne. Use a clay mask with plain water. If clay masks are used with milk it may lead to skin problems. Also, the texture of the clay mask is impervious and if a person rubs it too much into the skin, it can lead to redness."
Masks for men too?
"Men want ways to control excess skin oil and unclog the pores. The two main properties of a clay mask are deep cleansing and detoxifying and thus they are beneficial to men and women too. In fact, so many male clientele ask for clay-based packs and foot massage regimes." Men can apply a clay mask once a week, after shaving and before toning the skin.
Things to add to the clay mask
Quite a few ingredients can make their way into your mask. They are:
- Oats
- Buttermilk and cold milk
- Honey
- Essential oils
- Orange peel
- Herbs like chamomile and lavender
Home remedies
A good clay mask is easily made at home. You can store it in a jar or give it to someone as a gift:
For all skin types:
This is a skin soothing mask.
Ingredients:
White clay — 1/2 cup
Oats, grounded — 2 tbsp
Milk or buttermilk powder — 1 tbsp
Honey — 1 1/2 tsp
Method:
To apply, mix two teaspoons with an equal amount of water or any other liquid (milk, herb tea, or aloe vera juice). Spread evenly over your face. Leave on for about 10 minutes. Gently remove with warm water and a washcloth. Apply a homemade moisturiser. Mix and store in a covered jar or bag in your bathroom.
For normal skin:
People with normal skin can combine fuller's earth with Vitamin E oil and apply it on the skin.
For oily skin:
Combine combine fuller's earth with calamine lotion and apply it all over the face and neck. Can also use this on the back.
For acne prone skin:
Acne-prone skin needs more attention, here's a mask that will help keep it clean.
Combine green clay (it's great for drawing out impurities) and about three tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a bowl. Add some orange peel to this as well as an essential oil (can use lavender or tea tree varieties) that suits your skin. Spread over the face and neck avoiding the eye area. Keep it on for 15 minutes, rinse and dry the face.
For a glow:
Mix a little clay and water and add a few drops of essential oil to this (use rosemary for oily skin). Clean the face first, then leave this mask on the face for five minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can also add this mix to your bathtub.
Watch out!
- Some masks, such as the sulfur ones, tend to backfire on you when you leave them on too long or apply them on spots where they aren't supposed to go. In doing so, they dry out your skin too much at a time, leaving redness or irritation and dry skin flakes.
- People with dry skin should not use clay masks as they have drying agents.
