French Green Clay…….I had no idea this easy to find and affordable ingredient would do so much for my complexion. I could not believe the difference in my skin with just one 10 minute DIY clay mask! My pores were non existent, my skin tone was more even and my skin looked smoother and clearer. So, if you’re intrigued, read on for new refreshed skin!
There are a lot of skin care rituals that are recommended for radiant skin. Steaming your skin often does so much for dehydrated skin. While I don’t condone extractions, sometimes you have to manually remove blackheads and whiteheads. You should exfoliate weekly and replenishing masks should be applied weekly as well. Serums and eye creams are a GOOD THING and should be used nightly. BUT-if you want to see immediate results, a clay mask is a cheap and easy solution! Clay masks are so helpful in removing impurities from your skin. It is definitely a worthwhile habit to add to your skin care regime!
The best thing about french green clay is that it acts as a magnet to dirt and impurities! It’s like a spring cleaning for the pores! After applying this mask, my skin feels awake. I can actually feel blood flow and tingling. Skin is much smoother and supple.
French green clay can be beneficial for all skin types but it truly is a life saver for oily/blemished skin.
I added Aloe Vera Gel to mine plus Lavender. I knew the clay would pull impurities from my skin, but along with the impurities it will pull moisture as well. Be sure to drink lots of water afterwards and use a moisturizer once you washed the mask off your face. If you don’t have Aloe you can just add water. You can also use Apple Cider Vinegar or Witch Hazel as well. Just use equal parts of liquid to powder.
DIY French Green Clay Mask
- 1 tsp. French Green Clay (find it HERE)
- 1 tsp. Aloe Vera Gel (find it HERE)
- 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil (optional)
Mix ingredients into a paste and apply to your skin. Leave the mask on until the masks starts to harden and then remove. Leave on no longer than 10 minutes. If you are sensitive, remove after 5-10 minutes.
It is tempting to let a clay mask completely harden after applying it to your skin, but this is a mistake. The clay will suck the moisture right out of your skin and you will be left with tight, dehydrated skin that is way out of balance. DO NOT LET THIS MASK HARDEN! Read more on the proper way to clay mask HERE.
I did feel some tingling while the mask was on. The uncomfortable feeling subsided quickly. Once you rinse your skin it will be very pink. You will be alarmed. Don’t worry-this is blood flow-it’s a really good thing! It will go away after about 20 minutes.
Warning–Your kids will make fun of you while you are wearing this mask. I was known as the Wicked Witch of the East!
**You can use this clay as a spot treatment as well! Add water to make a thick paste, apply to blemish and leave overnight. Tea Tree essential oil can also be added for more of a boost. I applied this mask after doing some extractions and the inflammation and redness was greatly reduced.**
I prefer to get my clay from Mountain Rose Herb. I trust their quality-they have the best. Find it HERE.
For one of my favorite recipes that includes french green clay go HERE.
xx, Jenni
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can you use Bentonite Clay instead? It’s price is cheaper. Thank you.
Hey Anonymous and Jenni!
I am a big fan of clays also. I actually mix French Green Clay with Bentonite Clay, Rhassoul’s Clay, Baking Soda and a few other essentials (powdered fruit and botanical extracts). I also use it with Aloe Juice and I prefer a citrus EO. I mix enough dry ingredients to make 8 ounces and then combine 1/2 Tb with Aloe Juice, plus a few drops EO, for each use. Clays are awesome for skin care!
Great post Jenni! 🙂
Bentonite Clay is really great too, from what I’ve heard-I will be trying it soon and posting about it! All clays are great in pulling out toxins so you can’t go wrong! Bentonite is much more popular and more info. is out there about it. It is very calming as well!
Thanks for visiting!
Awesome recipe! Thanks. How long with this mixture last? Do I need to make a fresh batch each time or can I put it in a jar and keep it for a period of time?
Thanks, Nora
Nora-You have to add a liquid each time. I just scoop a bit out, squirt some aloe or even water, mix and apply. It’s super potent this way. I think the clay will harden if you mix it in advance, plus it won’t be as beneficial. Thanks!
I wonder if this would work on reducing cellulite.
Martha-Anything detoxifying should help. It’s worth a try!
OH NO mountain rose herbs is out of the 1lb clay. Have you ever ordered the French green clay scrub they have mixed already?
I’ve read some people say they cover the area after applying. Any reason for needing to do this other than to not dirty clothes, etc.? Would love your feedback.
Monica-I’ve never heard this! I don’t know what benefit you would get from this. This mask tightens and dries so I wouldn’t put anything over your face. I love using french green clay. It’s not great for dry skin but it’s so good for detox. I use it on my problem areas only. Thanks!!
I notice your photo shows you are mixing in a small metal container – I have read many sources saying the clay should never come into contact with metal of any kind as it changes its properties and affects the way it draws out impurities. Any thoughts on this?
Nikki-Very interesting-in the back of my head I remember hearing this. I will be doing more research and not using that bowl!
RMH is all out of the recommended clay. Are there any other brands you recommend?
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Jenni,
I have a friend who has very oily skin but no acne. Would the french green clay reduce the oil?
Martha-For sure! Clay will pull oil out of the skin. I would for sure have her try it. I don’t think it would alert her skin to produce more oil in the long run but that is always a possibility.
Hi Jenni,
Where do you get the metal container from? Alsothis is random but I made the coconut hair treatment with essential oils rose hip along with almond oil…… I had a lot of extras and just stored itin a glass container and other in a plastic container. It’s ok? And how long is the shell life for this? I made this 5 Days ago .
Hi! I find my metal containers from Specialty Bottle online.
I would suggest storing all your creations in glass containers if you can. Plastic isn’t too healthy and essential oils will react with it. It’s totally ok to store it though. Oils have a long shelf life-at least 6 mos. You only need to worry about water. Anytime you add water to anything your shelf life will go down to about 4 days without a preservative!
Your all good-I would just switch your plastic container for glass within a couple of weeks.
hi jenni,
moutain rose herb still doesn’t stock the french clay. would you recommend other products that would be just as good?
Jane-I was unaware they were out of stock! Bentonite clay is always a great one. I would try that one! THIS is a good one from Amazon as well!
Jenni, any reason you use spark oils and not RMH?
Jessica-I’ve not heard of RMH-Do you mean Rocky Mountain Oils? I love Spark because they offer pure, high quality oils and have great customer service and shipping rates. Go HERE for more info. on Sparks if you’re interested.
What tools do you use for Whitehead / blackhead removal? Also how do you remove? I have so many on my chin
Stephanie-I don’t use a tool-I find the actual tool meant for this can be dangerous. I always extract after a warm shower or steaming to loosen everything up and open up the pores. I gently use my fingers but avoid extractions all together on my upper cheeks or under the eyes. You can gently squeeze blackheads but don’t force them. With whiteheads, I’ve had to use a lancet. Don’t squeeze them because most likely you’ll just damage the skin. With a lancet, you insert it gently into the white head then gently squeeze. They are very stubborn! Good luck! Exfoliation might help as well if extracting isn’t.
Hi,
If I want this to last longer with the NeoDefend. How much should I put in this mask?
Lauren-I don’t recommend making more then 1 application at a time. It just won’t be fresh or nearly as effective in my opinion. Neodefend should make up .75-2% of your product. Be aware that it has a very strong smell too. I haven’t tried to make a mask like this so I can’t tell you for sure. Hope this helps some!
Hello Jenni
Thank you for the excellent review and tips. It really helps newbies like me who’re trying newer clays. Mountain Rose Herbs does not deliver in my country. I bought my French Clay from a lady who makes soaps and all.
My concern is the quality of the French Clay. I saw in some photos that the Clay is not bright green – the green is dull and sort of grayish. Could you please help me with this. The jar I have is bright green Clay and leaves a greenish hue when I use it on my face. Is this normal?
Thanks
Shilpa
Shilpa-You’re so welcome! I’m not sure about bright green-it kind of worries me that it’s not pure and has additives. However, I just am not sure. You might do some research. Maybe the clay you have is super pure and that is the normal color but I don’t think so. I bet the hue left on your skin is green dye.
Hope For Health, Marshall, NC 800-468-7884 carries food grade French Green Clay. They are a cottage business and very helpful.
Hope this helps
Kk