How to Use a Clay Mask on Your Body: Chest, Back and More

Yes, you can use a clay mask on your body. The Gleamin Vitamin C Clay Mask works well on the chest, upper back, shoulders, underarms, knees and elbows, using the same method as on your face: clean skin, a thin layer, about 10 minutes, then a gentle rinse and moisturizer. Many of our customers were doing this long before we wrote about it.

Here's how to do it area by area, and where not to go.

Why use a face mask on your body?

Body skin has many of the same concerns as facial skin, just spread over a bigger area. Clay lifts away oil and buildup, and the mask's botanicals, Kakadu plum, desert lime, finger lime and turmeric, make it a natural fit for areas where you want a brighter, more even-looking tone.

Common reasons people take the mask beyond their face:

• an oily chest and upper back that get congested in warm weather,
• underarms that look darker or uneven,
• knees and elbows that look dull or rough,
• a pre-event ritual before wearing something low-cut or backless.

How do you use a clay mask on your body?

1. Shower or wash the area with a gentle body wash, then pat it almost dry.
2. Apply a thin, even layer with the brush or your fingertips. A thin layer goes further and rinses more easily.
3. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, and no longer than 15. Use less time on thin skin, such as the underarms.
4. Rinse in the shower with warm water. Let the water soften the clay, then rinse in gentle circles. Don't scrub.
5. Pat dry and moisturize, ideally with a body lotion or cream while skin is still damp.

Start once a week on each area, and build to twice a week if your skin stays comfortable.

How do you mask your chest and upper back?

The chest and upper back have plenty of oil glands, which is why they can get shiny and congested like a T-zone.

• Chest: apply from the collarbones down, avoiding nipples. Relax with a towel over your shoulders while it sets.
• Upper back: you'll probably need help, or a long-handled brush. Or apply what you can reach, pull on an old T-shirt, and rinse in the shower.
• Shoulders: a quick, easy area to do yourself.

Rinse chest and back masks in the shower rather than over a sink. It's faster and far less messy.

Can you use a clay mask on your underarms?

Yes, carefully. Underarm skin is thinner, and it goes through a lot: shaving, deodorant, sweat and constant friction. That friction and irritation are among the reasons underarms can look darker.

• Never mask straight after shaving or waxing. Wait at least a day or two, until the skin is calm.
• Wash off deodorant first. The mask can't do much through a layer of product.
• Keep it shorter: 5 to 8 minutes is plenty to start.
• Rinse very gently and moisturize with a fragrance-free lotion.
• Stop if it stings or itches.

Friction and irritation matter as much as any product here. Looser, breathable fabrics and gentle hair removal help underarm skin look more even over time. Changes build gradually over 8 to 12 weeks, and results vary.

What about knees and elbows?

Knees and elbows have thicker skin that tends to look dull, rough or darker than the skin around it, partly from pressure and friction.

• Apply a slightly more generous layer here if you like, since the skin is thicker.
• Leave it for the full 10 minutes.
• Follow with a rich cream, and keep moisturizing daily. Dryness is a big part of why these areas look dull.

Which areas should you avoid?

• Intimate skin, including the bikini line and genital area. This skin is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your body, and a face mask isn't made for it. See Face, body and intimate skin: why each needs different care and Brightening your bikini line: what works and what scars. Our Illuminating Intimate Serum is the Gleamin product made for the bikini line, inner thighs and underarms.
• Broken, cut, sunburned or peeling skin.
• Freshly shaved, waxed or lasered areas.
• Rashes or areas a doctor is managing, such as eczema or psoriasis patches.

Will the mask stain towels or clothes?

It can. The mask gets its warm color from turmeric and iron oxide pigments, and pale cotton can pick up a yellow tint. Use a dark towel, wear an old T-shirt while it sets and rinse off fully before you get dressed. Our guide Does a Turmeric Mask Stain Skin? has more tips.

How much mask do you need for your body?

More than for your face. A thin layer on the face takes up to a teaspoon. A chest or upper back can take two or three times that. If you use the mask on your body regularly, the 2.5 fl oz jar will run out faster, so keep that in mind when you're planning your routine.

The Vitamin C Clay Mask is dermatologist tested: in a repeat insult patch test on 52 adults, supervised by a consulting dermatologist (Princeton Consumer Research, 2023), no irritation or allergic reactions were observed. If you're trying it somewhere new, patch test a small area first.

Where can you learn more?

Read Inside Our Vitamin C Clay Mask, see How to Use a Vitamin C Clay Mask for the basic method, and check our clay mask FAQ. The mask is available on Amazon.

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.