This is the first time at Glow & Green that I will talk about the natural skincare ingredient, Clay. And I am really very excited to talk about it. In my opinion, clay is one of the best sustainable beauty products. Clay works miracles on your skin, giving it a fresh, natural boost. It is an exceptional ingredient to know and understand. (check out here our Indian-inspired mask recipe)
It will be great if you can incorporate the natural skincare ingredient clay into your day-to-day natural skincare ritual. Truly, clay is an excellent spa ingredient, and acts as a main functional foundation ingredient in facial masks & scrubs. This magical ingredient helps cure skin problems such as blemishes, acne, pH imbalance, and blackheads. So, let’s break down these benefits further.
Benefits of Natural Skincare Ingredients: Clay
I consider clay to be a waterless ingredient. It is used to clear the skin. All types of clays have the ability to absorb impurities from your skin, making it a fantastic cleanser. Clay particles act like glue to remove dirt from your skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Clay serves as a refresher for your skin. It improves skin tones as well.
When I use clay masks in my weekly rituals, I totally feel more vibrant. I also observe less acne and a more balanced skin. It brightens my skin-tone, too. I make various clay masks at Glow & Green HQ. We have shown you little guide below to use clay-based on your skin types.
Uses of Various Types of Clay:
As we mentioned earlier, clay is a spa ingredient. But it also acts as a first-aid or therapeutic ingredient. In India, as per my experience, mud and water was used as a foot mask to remove excess heat from your body. Clay can also be a cure for heat rashes, poison ivy rashes, mosquito bites, and bee stings. It works wonders when you need quick treatment in the affected area. Besides its therapeutic properties, the beauty industry of course uses clay masks to cure blackheads and clogged pores, and to improve dull complexions.
So Let’s Dive into the Different Types of Clay:
Multani Mitti aka Fuller’s Earth:
In India, Multani Mitti is used on wedding occasions. It is a bleaching clay. The color of Multani Mitti Clay ranges from cream to more of a yellow color. Multani Mitti is also one of the earliest substances to be used as a beauty mask. Multani Mitti is said to make your skin radiant and appealing by reducing the appearance of blemishes and acne scars. On the other hand, it deep cleans the pores, reducing the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads. Deep cleansing with Multani Mitti helps remove impurities and sloughs off dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling refreshed with a glowing complexion! This allows the skin to breathe and to absorb moisturizing cream more easily into the skin. (Referenced)
Rhassoul Clay:
Rhassoul clay is an exceptional clay with multiple benefits. It is mined in the fertile Atlas Mountains of Morocco and has been used for over 12 centuries by populations in North Africa, Southern Europe and Middle East. This clay is rich in silica, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It can also be used to make soaps and shampoos, as it has surfactant quality.
Kaolin Clay:
We call kaolin clay a base clay. It is the most gentle clay of all, so it is a perfect sustainable ingredient for use in your weekly ritual. Kaolin clay can be used for cleansing, detoxifying, and stimulating your skin.
Bentonite Clay:
Bentonite is genuinely a magical clay. Its clay particles act as a glue or magnet, absorbing all the impurities while giving you all the goodness. It provides your skin pores with a therapeutic & soothing treatment. For an excellent result, I suggest you use it with vinegar.
French Green Clay:
French green clay has enormous absorbent powers due to the constitution of its micro molecules. It literally “drinks” oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin. French green clay is excellent for helping to clear occasional skin blemishes. Use it daily on trouble spots, or weekly as part of a complete facial treatment. (Referenced)
So we have gone over the different types of clay and their benefits. Now let’s break down how to use them to make excellent face masks!
Here is our Clay Mask Cheat Sheet:
How to mix this Natural Skincare Ingredient: Clay
Tip 1:
Always keep powdered clay masks in dark places.
Tip 2:
Activate the clay mask by adding water or oil into the powdered mask mixture. This way the clay mask will be properly activated. Never do it the other way around.
Tip 3:
Generally, the clay mask stays usable for 3-4 months. For the weekly ritual, keep this clay mask ready to use.
Tip 4:
For high consistency, use a 3/4 tablespoon powdered clay mask with 1 tablespoon of water or oil.
I sincerely urge you all to use clay and incorporate it into your day-to-day rituals.
If you try my any of my suggested clay masks, DM me, or leave a comment!
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