CLAY FACIAL MASK
Step by step how to prepare and use a clay mask.
INNA CODRU , FEBRUARY 3, 2018
Clay is known to remove harmful impurities from the skin well. In addition to clearing out impurities from the pores, clay can help draw out toxins from the deep layers of the skin. A purifying clay mask can help clear up even serious acne problems like cystic acne.
Clay masks are just one way to revitalize the skin and unclog pores. This is not to say that every clay mask is suitable for everyone, in fact, you will need to take care of those ingredients that are right for you.
The disadvantage of a clay mask is that it can be quite dry. You will not only remove impurities from the skin, but also remove some of the moisture from your face. Also, the mask will take away the skin oils you need, which will cause skin irritation. All this can happen if the mask is used incorrectly. Today we will discuss how to avoid this and get the maximum benefit from the clay mask. After all, we want the best for our skin. That's why we have prepared this step by step guide to learn how to make a clay mask at home.
MAKE SURE YOUR SKIN IS SUITABLE FOR THIS MASK
Before you start making your clay mask, you need to make sure that your skin is suitable for it. There is a common misconception that clay masks are suitable for everyone.
However, remember, I wrote about this a little higher, that they dry out on the skin. This means that for dry skin, clay masks will be much more irritating than for other skin types. Many cosmetologists recommend clay masks only for those with normal, oily or combination skin.
Clay will draw out excess oils and moisture. This will help leave the skin with a normal amount of oil if the skin was oily, and "degrease" it if it was normal. True, your skin will then naturally restore the necessary oils, neutralizing the drying effect of the clay.
So if you use the clay on dry skin(!), you can get into a cycle of never having oil in your skin. The body will struggle to produce more oil, but will not be able to keep up. And this will mean that your skin is left dry, inflamed and cracked. You will open the way to a lot of different infections and a lot of pimples!
And yet, your skin type does not affect how often you can make clay masks. This is definitely not a procedure that needs to be done daily. Even with very oily skin, the daily use of a clay mask will leave the skin brittle and dry. Therefore, you need to use the mask once or twice a week maximum (!). If you feel that your skin has become overly irritated after this application, then reduce the frequency of using the mask to once a week or even two weeks. You won't benefit from dry and irritated skin!
A STEP-by-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING A CLAY FACE MASK AT HOME
Now that you've made up your mind and decided that this is the perfect option for you, it's time to take a look at ways to make a clay face mask. We will do this part step by step and then move on to the steps on how to apply and use your mask to cleanse your face and fight acne.
Step 1: Choose the right type of clay
There are different types of clay that you can use on your skin. We are not talking about the clay that is used on the construction site or for laying ceramic tiles! You need special types of clay that help remove dirt and oil from your face. There are several types of clay, but we will talk about three of them.
Bentonite clay is the most popular option. It is affordable and very easy to find in stores. It is a white/gray clay that helps to nourish the facial skin with minerals and removes excess oils well. Not only is it helpful in fighting acne, but it will also help improve the overall condition of your skin. If you have combination skin and acne, then this is what you can use.
French green clay is also a great option for those with oily skin that is also prone to breakouts. It's one of the most absorbent clays out there, which means it goes right into your pores to remove all oil, debris, bacteria, and more. This is the best option for deep cleaning.
Australian black clay is beneficial for people with excessively(!) oily skin. This is another type of clay that is hyper-absorbent and penetrates deep into the pores. It's not as good as green clay, but sometimes it's easier to find at your local beauty supply store.
Step 2: Add your favorite nourishing oil
Your clay should be mixed with nourishing oil. Choose the one you like best and will help remove all impurities from your skin.
The most common are almond and jojoba oils. They are non-comedogenic, which means they do not build up or clog pores. Olive oil is another great option.
Avoid using coconut oil as a nourishing oil to mix with clay if you have oily skin. While coconut oil is packed with nutrients, it blocks pores and can make your acne even worse.
Step 3: Add your favorite essential oils
Then it will be good to add a few drops of your favorite essential oils . Most essential oils will be a very good option for oily skin. If you have combination skin, you can add those that don't dry out. This will depend on how dry your facial skin is.
Tea tree essential oil is generally one of the best options for acne prone skin. This essential oil is both antiseptic and antibacterial. It enters the pores and eliminates the causes of acne - destroys the bacteria that cause them. Most essential oils smell good and will make you feel more rested.
Lavender essential oil is also relatively good for oily skin. It does not dry the skin very much, despite the fact that it is an essential oil. It also smells great and is great for relaxing muscles and reducing inflammation in the pores.
Step 4: Prepare warm water
Finally, you need warm water. It is necessary to add to the clay a little at a time until a mask-like consistency is formed. Warm water opens the pores better and helps the clay work. Cold water will constrict your skin and blood vessels, causing the mask to not work as intended.
Choose filtered water or use mineral water. This will help avoid the chemicals in regular tap water!
Step 5 (Optional): Add Poppy Seeds to the Mix
Clay mixes easily with oils and water. If you want to create an exfoliating clay mask, you need to add something to help with that. Poppy seeds are a great option. They are small enough to work like microdermabrasion, removing the top layers of the skin so you can expose new skin cells to the light.
You can also use baking soda. This can be helpful, especially for oily skin. It has cleansing properties and works great with clay.
Salt is another option. Choose Epsom salts where possible. These are minerals, not salts. They are non-drying and suitable for all skin types. You can also use sea salt, which is also less drying but cleans better than table salt.
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO APPLYING A CLAY MASK
Now that you've made your clay mask, it's time to apply it. You can't just put it on your face and let it work. You will need to do some preliminary work to make sure that your skin is ready to feed on the beneficial substances from the clay and release toxins and harmful impurities from it.
This is your step by step guide to follow every time you use a clay mask.
Step 1: Completely cleanse the skin
If you have makeup on, then first you need to remove it. The last thing you want is for the clay to leave most of it inside your skin instead of washing away makeup impurities.
Use a good makeup remover to completely get rid of all traces of your makeup . Be careful and attentive to the skin around the eyes. While you won't be putting clay on your eyelids, it's best to get rid of all makeup completely.
Removing your makeup will also help prevent chemicals you don't need from penetrating your skin and clogging your pores. If you have acne and don't remove your makeup, you'll just make the problem worse.
After removing makeup, use warm water and cleansers to remove any possible chemical residue. You need to leave your face completely clean. Think about the type of cleanser you use to make sure it's right for your skin.
Once again, I draw your attention to the fact that it is best to use warm water. While cold closes your pores, warmer water will help open them. This facilitates the penetration of clay into the skin and accelerates the removal of all toxins from the deeper layers.
Step 2: Apply the clay mask to your face
Apply the clay mask to your face with your fingertips. Apply the mask very gently around the eyes to avoid stretching or tearing the skin around this area. Do not get too close to the eyes, as the skin there is very sensitive and can easily be damaged during the removal process.
Apply the mask to your hairline, around your chin and on your neck.
If you have used an exfoliant in your blend, make sure you apply it in a circular motion. This will help clear dead skin cells while you put on the mask.
Step 3: Let the mask dry
Leave the mask on until it dries on your skin. You may feel a slight hardening when it dries, but you shouldn't feel it too much. Your mask penetrates the pores and pulls out all the dangerous toxins from there. The fact that the mask has dried, you can understand just by running your fingers over it. Once the mask is removed, your skin will breathe with health.
If you are not comfortable leaving the mask to dry completely, leave it on for as long as you have the patience. Let it dry at least a little before you remove it. Removing the mask too early will not do any good.
Don't worry about your skin losing a lot of moisture. No matter what, the clay mask does not dry out the entire skin. It will bring out some of the excess oils, but not essential oils for healthy skin. After that, you can also add some moisture with toner and moisturizers.
Step 4: Remove the mask with warm water
To remove the mask, use lukewarm water and use your fingertips to gradually remove the clay from your face using circular motions. These movements also help to exfoliate the skin. Even if you have a mask without exfoliating additives, it is necessary to remove it with circular movements in order to better remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.
"Wrap" circles until the entire mask is washed off. Then you need to completely rinse the entire surface of the face and those places where the mask was before you start stroking your skin with a soft, clean towel 😊.
Avoid washing your face with any cleanser afterwards. You've already done a good job with pre-cleansing and then cleansing with the mask itself, so additional cleansing is not required, in fact, it can cancel out all your previous efforts.
Step 5: Use toner and moisturizer
Now it's time to add some moisture back into the skin. This is especially important for combination skin types, but can also be beneficial for oily skin types. Choose only those tonics and moisturizers that are right for your skin type to avoid acne problems.
After applying the toner, wait until it dries naturally. You can then apply some moisturizer to help lock in the moisture.
SOME NOTES ON THE RULES FOR USE OF CLAY MASKS
Make sure all your makeup is removed before using clay masks. This will facilitate the penetration of the mask into the skin and the extraction of all toxins.
The mask will not dry out oily skin. While you can use moisturizers, you may not always need them. This is something that sounds scary, but when you feel your skin after using a clay mask, you will immediately understand whether additional hydration is needed or not.
Try to avoid too much makeup on your face. Choose moisturizers that won't clog your pores but help retain your natural moisture. Avoid makeup for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours if possible. This will help keep your pores from getting clogged.
If you find that your skin is too sensitive or irritated after using a clay mask, you can choose a more gentle type of clay for yourself. Otherwise, you may need to look for other types of masks. Irritating the skin, without a doubt, will not help in any way to improve its appearance, that's for sure 😊.