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Clay mask | Everything you need to know about this natural skincare

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AUTHOR

Mahlagha Homayouni

DATE

July 12, 2021

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Why clay mask?!

The benefits of clay mask and its amazing properties for the skin have led many brands of clay masks manufacturers to make them available these days. The skin’s quality is one of the most sensitive parts of the body that has a great impact on people’s faces and their beauty. In addition to beauty, the role of the skin in people’s health is also very important. Facial skin should be very resistant to these damages due to the fact that it is always exposed to temperature and various types of pollution.

Today, the use of sunscreen is the best way to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. In addition to sunscreen, there are many creams and lotions to improve the health of the skin, but due to the fact that they all contain chemical elements, it is better for you to go for a natural solution!

Over time, the use of creams, lotions, and other skincare products can cause serious damages to the skin, so most people go for natural products. Clay is one of the things that due to its advantages, its usages become very common. This soil helps a lot in blood circulation, cleansing skin toxins and purifying skin tissues.

Clay is rich in calcium, zinc, etc

Most people use this type of soil to remove skin blemishes. In using this soil, it should be noted that since this type of soil has different kinds, the type of soil must match your skin type. Because each type of clay has different properties that cause different reactions in the skin.

This soil is rich in calcium, magnesium, silica, and zinc, and people with normal skin can use white clay to cleanse their skin. By stimulating the lymphatic system, this soil absorbs excess oil from the skin. Fuller clay is also very useful for normal skin with benefits such as removing skin impurities.

skin assessment

Chapter 1

All the clay masks

Clay has long been known in traditional medicine as a cleanser for skin and hair, and its use in the bathroom as a hair cleanser and for medicinal purposes has been very popular. Today, we can use the sterilized soils available in the market as a face mask and hair mask much more effectively and faster, and by just adding a few drops of any oil that we want to these masks, the medicinal and aromatherapeutic properties can be added (for example, jasmine and rose essential oils, which give your mask a very pleasant scent). In this way, we can pour fragrant soil on our heads to solve problems such as excessive hair oil! or keep our face clean and healthy with a clay and honey mask.

Although all clay soils have skin cleansing, exfoliating, and fat-balancing properties, they are very different in strength, and each is suitable for one type of skin (or hair). Pure clay, like fullers, which is great for oily skin, is not good for sensitive skin because it makes it very dry. The clay mask absorbs everything on your skin that may have clogged its pores, and when it dries, you feel your skin tighten, which is why clay is one of the main ingredients in skincare masks.

Skin and hair health is very important; ‌ Also read:

Anti-aging skincare ingredients | 4 skincare ingredients you need in your anti-aging arsenal

Chapter 2

Bentonite clay, the best natural absorber!

This soil is suitable for oily skin. Just by adding a little water to a spoonful of bentonite clay, the water is quickly absorbed and disappears and the bentonite mud replaces it with several times the volume of the first volume of the soil, this thirsty and sticky soil swallows whatever it can! It is therefore great for cleansing and exfoliating oily skin, and because it kills whatever germs can feed on it, it is also considered an antiseptic.

In addition, the addition of water fertilizes the fine particles of bentonite clay and gives them a magnetic property that allows them to remove toxins or the same toxic substances from the skin like a magnet. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and benzene, which may settle on your skin due to air pollution and the use of chemicals that are very harmful to health, are also removed from your skin tissue in this way.

The healing clay is made from natural calcium bentonite (a porous rock that is mined worldwide). Bentonite is composed of volcanic ash. It is soft and easily turns into powder.

There are claims about the benefits of bentonite for skincare, some of which have been proven by research and some of which have not been proven by any credible evidence. Below is a list of common beliefs about the benefits of bentonite for the skin and what science has to say about them.

Pore cleansing

Some people claim that what makes bentonite unique and the reason for its many skin benefits is its magnetic nature. When bentonite is mixed with water, it creates a negative electric charge in the clay that can be used to remove harmful toxins from the skin. This is said to prevent the pores of the skin from being filled with dead cells and other contaminants.

Although we have not found specific research on the ability of clay to absorb toxins from the skin, we have found studies that support the claim that bentonite has a negative surface charge that can be used to absorb and excrete other substances. It is not known to what extent bentonite can be absorbed from the skin surface.

Prevent overproduction of sebum

Too much sebum – the secretion of fat released by the sebaceous glands – causes pimples on the skin. Clay bentonite is reported to absorb sebum and help control its production, thus preventing pimples and acne.

Studies from the early to mid-1980s sought to measure the amount of sebum secreted by human skin. The researchers used clay bentonite to absorb sebum in the time before it was measured. Although these studies alone did not measure the ability of bentonite to absorb fat, they concluded that the use of clay was useful for this purpose.

Fuller’s clay

Fuller’s clay is another clay that is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, from which you can make a mask with high absorption power, but Fuller’s clay mask also has the property of whitening and brightening the skin. In the past, the unrefined type of clay was used to bleach and clean wool of any pollution.

Mix a little sterilized Fuller’s clay with water and rosewater and rub it on your face with your fingertip and leave it on your face for five to fifteen minutes so that the blood circulation in your skin flows smoothly and finds a new and bright color. For oily skin, you can use this mask several times a week, but for normal skin, it is better to use it once a week.

Kaolin

Kaolin, also known as white clay or China clay, is a soft clay that’s been used in China for decades to make porcelain products. This clay has different colors, the most common of which are white, yellow and red.

White kaolin

White kaolin clay is more famous and softer than all other clays in this category. This ideal option for dry and sensitive skin helps soften your face more than it absorbs your skin oils. Even if your dry and sensitive skin reacts to most cosmetics, you do not need to worry, because white clay will turn OK in this test due to the lack of chemicals!

Yellow kaolin

The yellow kaolin clay is similar to white clay for sensitive skin, but it has a slightly higher absorption power, so you can trust it to clean and lighten your skin. This mask can help when you are worried about pimples on sensitive skin. Yellow kaolin is one of the most widely used compounds in many face masks due to its gentle absorbing and brightening properties.

Red kaolin

As you can guess, as these clays get darker, their absorption power increases, so we conclude that red clay is suitable for people with relatively oily skin.

French green clay

Due to the large deposits of clay found on the southern coast of France, this clay is also known as French clay. But its source is not only off the coast of France but also in other parts of Europe and the northwestern United States. It is also extracted for various uses.

“Green clay” is a type of clay that is known as green clay because of the presence of iron oxides and decomposed materials leftover from various algae or chlorophylls. In addition to its special color, this soil contains very rare minerals and this has made it a special and valuable natural product. The fresher the green clay, the more valuable it is.

Today we are going to get acquainted with this soil and its related facts, but before that, it is better to look at the minerals in green clay. The following is a list of rare minerals found in green clay;

  • Montmorillonite
  • Dolomite
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Manganese
  • Phosphorus
  • Aluminum
  • Silicon
  • Zinc
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Selenium

Many people believe that eating green soil is good for the body and using it as a mask will make their skin healthier. Interestingly, no specific research has been done on this soil so far, and most opinions and ideas are based on old beliefs.

Benfits of French soil!

It is an ancient belief that green clay has a negative electric charge and its application topically causes the absorption of positively charged toxins into the bloodstream or intestines. Some of the topical benefits of green clay are as follows:

  • It extracts impurities and contaminants from the pores
  • It exfoliates dead skin cells
  • It strengthens and strengthens the skin
  • It stimulates blood circulation
  • It helps to remove skin blemishes
  • It relieves cuts and scratches on the skin, minor burns, insect bites, and muscle pain
  • It provides the body with the necessary minerals
  • It excretes toxins from the body

Is the use of green clay dangerous and has side effects?

To date, several studies have been conducted on green clay, but not enough. A study published in 2008 stated that green clay can prevent the growth of bacteria, which is effective in treating wounds and skin diseases. Research has also been done on other types of clay, such as kaolin and bentonite, but there is still insufficient evidence to suggest that green clay has certain advantages over other soils.

Topical or oral use of any substance also has some side effects, and this applies to all natural and chemical substances. Some people who have used green clay as a face mask have reported allergic symptoms, skin rashes, dryness, and scaling. People who have eaten green clay orally have constipation. This soil absorbs moisture and may be the cause of constipation.

The most important point is the interaction of this soil with drugs, which can be dangerous. So do not forget to check all the symptoms if used topically and be sure to consult a doctor if you want to use it orally.

There are also tips on how to store green clay, which say do not store it in a metal container and never use a metal spoon to pour it. It has been said that the use of metal tools and their contact with the soil harms and reduces the benefits of clay; But to date, no scientific evidence has been found.

A green clay mask is easy to make, and when applied to your skin with your fingertip, it draws blood flow to the surface of your skin and removes skin impurities from the pores. As this mask has a high-fat absorption power, it is better to use it once a week.

French red clay

This red clay is ideal for removing pimples on normal to oily skin. This soil has a good percentage of various minerals such as calcium and magnesium, but as it is crystal clear from its warm and fiery color, its main element is nothing but iron!

When you add water to French red clay, unlike bentonite soil, it does not increase much in volume, but the mask of this soil also has a lot of power to absorb fat and various impurities from the skin. If you want to have the same properties for more sensitive skin, you can add a little white kaolin clay to this clay to get a new mask: French pink clay mask!

Zeolite clay

Zeolite clay plays a natural life-saving role against pollution: The face mask you make with this soil can remove the most dangerous toxins and chemicals, such as heavy metals such as lead and mercury and radioactive materials, from the depths of your pores. This is an attractive feature for a face mask, isn’t it? But this is not the end of the story, because the zeolite clay mask replaces these toxins and harmful substances with its natural and beneficial minerals such as silica, which is essential for healthy skin. For this reason, you can count on the mask of this soil to rejuvenate your skin.

In addition to this life-saving role, zeolite clay mask, like other clay masks, helps to balance and exfoliate skin oil, so combining it with other natural ingredients to make a face mask would be ideal.

Also read: Vampire facial at home | Why It’s Not a Good Idea to Vampire Facial at home

Rhassoul clay

This unique clay is suitable for controlling oily skin, but it does not dehydrate the skin very much. This soil is extracted from the land of Morocco and is rich in various minerals. When you mix Rhassoul clay with water, the particles take on a negative charge, and because most toxins in the skin of the face have a negative charge, this mask is used to remove all these toxins and fats trapped around the hair growth pores, blackheads, and other things that may weigh on your skin.

But the good news for you is that using a Rhassoul clay mask will make your skin clean but not very dry and dehydrated, because another special feature of this soil is the increase in skin elasticity, so you can use it as a daily skin cleanser. Have you ever considered using a clay mask for your hair? if your hair is greasy and sticky, wearing a Rhassoul clay mask can be a great idea to restore volume and shine to your hair.

What to do after a clay mask?

Because clay masks dry the skin, oily skin should use special moisturizers for oily skin after using clay masks. But if your skin is dry, you do not need to use this, but if you use it, you must first use a moisturizer and then apply a clay mask for dry skins.

Disadvantages of clay mask

One of the disadvantages of a clay mask for the skin is that it is very dry and not only removes all impurities from the skin but also removes the water inside the skin. For this reason, your facial skin may become red and inflamed within 24 hours after using this mask. On the other hand, if you feel acne and pimples on your face become inflamed and itchy, instead of removing the mask from the area that causes the infection, rinse it well with cold water. You may also have to buy a clay mask or make one that is suitable for sensitive skin.

Bentonite clay Suitable for oily skin Strong cleanser and degreaser
Fuller’s clay Suitable for oily and normal skin Strong anti-stain, cleanser, and degreaser
White Kaolin Suitable for dry and sensitive skin Gentle cleanser and exfoliator
Yellow Kaolin Suitable for dry and sensitive skin Gentle cleanser, degreaser and exfoliator
Red Kaolin clay mask Suitable for oily skin Strong cleanser and degreaser
Green French clay Suitable for oily skin It cleanses and shrinks skin pores
Red French clay Suitable for oily and normal skin Strong cleanser and degreaser
Zeolite clay Suitable for normal skin Strong cleaner of contaminants and chemicals
Rhassoul clay Suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin, and suitable for oily hair Strong cleanser and degreaser

Chapter 3

Using clay for hair

Bentonite clay can also be used for hair as a natural way to add moisture and eliminate toxins. If you have short hair, you can use hair clay to keep your hair steady and healthy. If your hair is a little dry or damaged, you can use a hair mask to moisturize and refresh your hair.

It is said that bentonite clay has various healing properties for the body. Historically, clay has been used in alternative medicine to get rid of digestive problems, insect bites, dry skin and more. Bentonite clay can provide deep moisture to the hair. These can be especially helpful if you have the following skin and hair problems:

  • If you have frizzy hair
  • If you heat damage your hair
  • If your hair is not shiny anymore
  • If your scalp is dry
  • If your hair is dry and damaged

Skin and hair health is very important; ‌ Also read:

Clay mask for skin | What is a clay mask and how does it work?

Chapter 4

Last word

In this article, we introduced you to the types of clay masks and talked about the benefits of each of them. It is very important to pay attention to this point that you should not overuse some of them, because clay dries your skin severely and their daily use is not recommended at all. For example, if you use a green clay mask regularly, your skin texture and pores will change after a while, and the amount of oil will also decrease, which is not a good thing at all!

Also, for oral use, first consult your doctor so that you do not have any problems. To buy a clay mask, it is better to use organic and certified products and be sure to pay attention to its expiration date.

Clay mask

FAQ

What face wash do dermatologists recommend?

According To Dermatologists, These Are The Best Face Washes For Every Skin Type
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
Beauty Aura 100% Pure Grapeseed Oil.
SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel.
Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar Soap.
PCA Skin Facial Wash and Glytone Mild Cream Cleanser.
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water.

How can I have a beautiful face?

Wash your face twice a day. Cleansing or washing your face form the basis of a good beauty routine for flawless skin, and it should not be compromised on, no matter what. ...
Massage your face. ...
Drink A LOT of water. ...
Wear sunscreen everyday. ...
Use a face mask regularly. ...
Get enough sleep.

What is the best face wash?

15 best drugstore face washes and cleansers of 2020
Eucerin Sensitive Skin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser.
La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
St. ...
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash.
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar.

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