Today is a quickie. It’s something I’ve found extremely interesting and helpful and I had to pass it on. It’s a very well kept beauty secret!! A while ago I posted about French Green Clay. The benefits of clay on the skin are really amazing so I wanted to LOVE clay masks but the older I get, the dryer my skin tends to be and clay masks, while pulling out impurities and revving up circulation, were also stripping my skin of much needed moisture and oil!
Come to find out, I’ve been clay masking all wrong! Read on to find out how you can reap the benefits of clay without stripping your skin!
First off, let’s review about why clay masks are so beneficial for the skin. Clays are mineral and nutrient rich including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and potassium. When water is added, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins.
Clay is excellent at detoxing your pores. It also helps rev up circulation. Bringing blood flow to the surface of the skin oxygenates the cells!
Clay masks are especially helpful for oilier skin types but can be very beneficial for every type. Some types of clay used in skin care are French Green Clay, Bentonite, Rhassoul and Kaolin Clay.
DIY Clay Masks to Try:
- Kaolin Clay, Aloe & Vitamin C Mask
- Rose Clay Mask
- Cedarwood Bentonite Clay Mask
- Dirt Magnet Mask
- Spirulina Probiotic Mask
As I was doing some research on clay masks I ran into this quote from Sharon McGlinchey, a facialist and the creator of MV Organic Skincare, a line of organic skin-care products developed for people with high skin sensitivities:
“You should never let a clay mask dry fully. There are three phases of a clay mask-There’s the damp phase where your skin drinks in the beneficial minerals from the outside. Then you have the start of the dry phase, which exercises your capillaries and stimulates blood flow as the mask cools and contracts. But then there’s the dry phase, which draws out moisture from the surface of your skin, causing dehydration and irritation. Not only does skin then feel dry, tight, and sometimes itchy, but when you counteract it by slathering on extra face cream, you’re just smothering your freshly cleansed skin.”
Uhhhhh? Mind Blown! I can’t spare a drop of moisture from my skin but I so love clay masks. I’m so excited I found this little nugget of info.! I hope this excites you too!
You can find clay HERE from Mountain Rose Herb or Amazon as THIS and THIS one.
xx, Jenni
Wow this will be life changing! Have been avoiding my bentonite because I hated that itchy feeling. I used to think the longer I left it on, the better. Thanks for the great info! Oh, used my eye stick for the first time last night…loved the feel and smell. Goes on so smoothly!
Yes! Thank you for sharing! I started noticing this about masks when I first started using them so I started washing off when not quite dry and have no problems anymore. All women need to know this who use clay! drying also causes a lot of itchiness =(
Thank you for sharing that!
You are welcome, Carol!
That’s too funny. This morning when I was washing my face I thought to myself; I think I’ll do the clay mask (I used Rose Kaolin instead of French – said benefits dry skin). But I put on my moisturizers & went about my day basically forgetting about it. Now, I read this…things may seem coincidental, but there are no coincidences. IMHO…Thx for the info…I think I will go do a clay mask & put my feet up, it’s been a long day!
I made the mineral makeup and it seems very dry and chalky looking. How can I make it look moisturizing?
Hi Vicki! I know what you mean-I really prefer a more dewy look so I use a homemade primer-find that recipe HERE. I also will put a bit of the powder in my hand and mix a little oil with it. Jojoba is a good choice as well as rosehip. It makes the skin look so dewy. It also gives good coverage. I have a post on that HERE but I really prefer mixing the 2 daily rather then making a bottle of it.
Thank you dear. I’ll give it a try.
I tried it and it’s turns almost white. It’s the right color before I add oil. What am I doing wrong?
Vicki-I was confused for a second-Huh, that’s weird. Mine turns darker. I can’t imagine why it’s turning lighter! Does it look white on your skin?
Yes it turns very light on my skin. Looks fine in the container.
Ok, I tried mixing the oil with another brand of mineral makeup and it was darker. Hummmm
Vicki-The mystery continues…..
Thanks for the very useful post Jenni. I actually use sesame oil to make a paste with clay. Better suited to dry/mature skin and takes much longer to dry. This way you can keep it on longer, increasing the benefits of the decomposed marine plants. Still, even this can be too harsh for dry/sensitive skin. White kaolin (China clay) can be a better option.
Ayse-Thanks for sharing-I’m going to try an oil rather then something water based, great idea!!
This information you shared about clay mask is really helping. Yes, I tried to apply clay mask too and fortunately, I haven’t feel anything bad about my skin. Your review will definitely help people decide. But yes, one must do a research as well before using any beauty products and make sure they will not receive allergic reaction from it.
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I had always used Apple Cider Vinegar instead of water (my clay said it created the best results) but then I was leaving it on to fully dry and I would get red skin (it would be gone by morning). I’m currently trying just water and going to wash it off with just warm water afterwards to try to keep the clean in effect. Does this tip suggest not putting on moisturizer afterward either? I was trying to understand that last sentence.
Hi Cal-I find apple cider vinegar is harsh for most skin types. I totally recommend using a moisturizer after. I find the skin needs replenishing after a clay mask. Sorry for the confusion!