How to Use a Vitamin C Clay Mask, Step by Step

To use a vitamin C clay mask, apply a thin, even layer to clean, dry skin, leave it on for about 10 minutes, rinse with warm water, then follow with serum and moisturizer. That's the whole ritual. The details below are what make the difference between skin that feels fresh and soft and skin that feels tight.

This guide is written for the Gleamin Vitamin C Clay Mask, our kaolin and Hydroclay mask with Kakadu plum, desert lime, finger lime, turmeric and aloe vera. Most of it applies to any clay mask.

What do you need before you start?

• The mask and its applicator brush. The brush comes with the jar. Fingertips work too.
• A headband or clip to keep hair off your face and away from the clay.
• A dark or old washcloth. Turmeric and the mask's natural color can tint pale fabric. More on that in Does a Turmeric Mask Stain Skin?
• Your serum and moisturizer, ready for afterward.

Give the mask a quick stir with the brush if the top looks a little different from the rest. Natural clays can settle.

How do you apply a vitamin C clay mask, step by step?

1. Cleanse. Wash off makeup, sunscreen and the day. Clay can't do much through a layer of product.
2. Pat skin dry. Slightly damp is fine. Dripping wet makes the mask slide and go patchy.
3. Scoop a small amount. Half a teaspoon to a teaspoon covers most faces. Use a clean brush or spatula, not wet fingers, so water doesn't get into the jar.
4. Paint an even, thin layer. Start at the center of your face and work outward. You should barely see skin through it. Keep it off your eyes, eyelids and lips, and stay just inside your hairline and brows.
5. Choose your zones. Full face is the classic. You can also apply it only to your T-zone, or dab it on a few areas you want to focus on.
6. Relax for about 10 minutes. The mask sets and turns slightly matte.
7. Rinse with warm water. Soften it with wet hands for a few seconds first, then rinse in gentle circles. A soft, damp washcloth helps around the nose and hairline.
8. Pat dry and moisturize. Follow straight away with serum and moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp.

How long should you leave a clay mask on?

Leave the Vitamin C Clay Mask on for about 10 minutes, and no longer than 15. By then the clay has done its job of lifting away excess oil and buildup.

Our Hydroclay blend is designed to set evenly without flaking, so you don't need to wait for the mask to crack. Cracking and a tight, pulling feeling mean it's starting to draw moisture from your skin, not just oil. If your skin is dry, rinse closer to the 8 to 10 minute mark.

How often should you use it?

Start once or twice a week. After a few weeks, many people settle on two or three times a week. Let your skin decide:

• Oily skin often enjoys up to three times a week. See Is a Clay Mask Good for Oily, Breakout-Prone Skin?
• Dry or sensitive skin is usually happiest with once a week. See Can You Use a Clay Mask on Dry Skin? and Can You Use a Vitamin C Clay Mask on Sensitive Skin?
• Combination skin does well with the T-zone two or three times a week and the full face once.

Evenings are the easiest time because you're not rushing. If you mask in the morning, finish with SPF 30 or higher.

What are the most common clay mask mistakes?

• Applying it too thick. A thick layer doesn't work better. It takes longer to set, dries unevenly and is harder to rinse.
• Leaving it on too long. More time isn't more benefit. Past 15 minutes, you're mostly drying your skin.
• Scrubbing it off. Rubbing hard with a rough cloth irritates skin. Soften the clay with water first and let it rinse away.
• Masking over broken, sunburned or freshly shaved skin. Wait until skin is calm.
• Stacking strong exfoliants the same night. Skip scrubs, peels and strong acids on mask nights. What to Use After a Clay Mask has the full list.
• Skipping moisturizer. Clay takes away oil. Put comfort back with a moisturizer every time.
• Double-dipping with wet fingers. Water in the jar isn't good for any cosmetic. Use the brush or a clean, dry spatula.
• Expecting a one-night change. Skin looks fresher right after rinsing, but a more even-looking tone builds over 8 to 12 weeks. Results vary. Vitamin C Clay Mask Results walks through the timeline.

How do you care for the brush and the jar?

Rinse the brush under warm water after every use until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess and lay it flat to dry. Wash it with a little gentle cleanser once a week.

Close the jar tightly after each use and keep it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. A steamy shower shelf isn't ideal. Use it within 12 months of opening.

Can you use it anywhere other than your face?

Yes. Many people use the mask on the chest, upper back, shoulders, underarms, knees and elbows. The steps are the same. You'll just need more product. Read How to Use a Clay Mask on Your Body before you try it, especially for the underarms. Keep it away from intimate skin, which needs different care.

Where can you get the Vitamin C Clay Mask?

The mask comes in a 2.5 fl oz jar with an applicator brush. You'll find it on Amazon. For what's inside and why, read Inside Our Vitamin C Clay Mask, and see our clay mask FAQ for quick answers.

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition or concern, talk to a doctor or dermatologist.