What Is Clay And How It Helps You Look Healthier

You’ve probably heard people raving about their skincare routine online or showing off their glowing faces on Instagram, and inevitably, you’re left wondering what their secret is. Well, who has heard the endless chatter about using clay masks? While it may seem odd watching people rubbing mud on their faces, it actually does work wonders. 

 

So, why are so many people raving about clay face masks? Most likely, it’s because you can both see and feel the difference within minutes of using one. We’re here to give you the 411 on clay masks, what they are, and how they can be amazingly beneficial for your skin.

 

Who’s ready to deep dive into some clay?

 

The Hype About Clay

 

Face masks using clay have a wide variety of skin benefits, including shrinking the appearance of your pores and helping your skin shed any impurities. When it comes to these facial masks, ingredients and pricing can definitely vary. In general, though, clay works by soaking up the excess oils on your face and then locking them in so you can wash them down the drain. Bye, bye, guys.

 

Let’s dish the dirt— your skin comes into contact with a lot of unsavory things throughout the day. You don’t want all of that gunk to sit on your face overnight. So, while a daily cleanser is recommended for people with acne problems, using a clay mask a few times a week can work wonders for your skin on top of that.

Plus, while clay isn’t recognized as specifically acne-fighting itself, it can reduce clogged pores and help you see a reduction in the number of breakouts you experience in the future. Hormonal imbalances can produce excess sebum, which clogs the pores along with dead skin cells. Masks help to rinse those off and keep your skin free and clear.

The Types of Clay

 

There are a few different types of clay usually used in face masks, although all clays tend to work somewhat similarly. 

White clay or kaolin is the mildest type of clay. It draws out impurities without being harsh or drying your skin out. Kaolin clay actually comes in four colors: white, yellow, red, and pink. If you’re worried about your skin’s sensitivity, look for white kaolin clay as it is the gentlest of all kinds.

 

Yellow kaolin clay is more absorbent, so if you have oily and sensitive skin, yellow clay is a great option. If you’re less concerned about sensitivity and more about the absorbent properties, red clay is your best bet. For something in the middle, pink clay is a combination of red and white clay to incorporate the mild aspect of white clay and the absorbing qualities of red.

 

Bentonite clay is best for super oily skin. It gives your skin a deep, clarifying cleanse. French green clay is rich in minerals and effective at drawing out the junk and impurities on your face. Finally, Moroccan Rhassoul Clay works for all skin types because the texture is fine and packed with magnesium, which is beneficial for the skin.

 

All types of clay soothe your skin by helping to reduce red areas of your face and minimize irritation. If you’re really looking to relax, try adding some slices of cucumber over your eyes for the perfect DIY spa experience.

 

The Clay Mask 

 

Gleamin offers an amazing option when it comes to clay masks rich in vitamin C and turmeric. This clay mask is versatile and suitable for all skin types. For people with moderately dry skin, it’s best to use a hydrating face mask two to three times a week to restore moisture to the skin. For those with oily skin, masking once or twice a week is usually plenty.

 

How To Use

 

Luckily, this clay mask is quick and easy to use, so you won’t have to worry about applying something overly complicated or make a long-term commitment. You simply apply it to your freshly cleansed face, allow it to sit for a specified time (usually around 10 or 15 minutes), rinse it off with warm water, and pat your face dry. 

 

Don’t worry about the application; your mask will give you clear instructions. Some clay masks will come with a brush or applicator, or you can use one of your own. You can also use your fingers if you want, although you should wash them thoroughly first to make sure you aren’t transferring any of your hand oils onto your face. 

Apply the clay evenly across your entire face. If you have a ponytail holder or headband to keep your hair away from your face, this is extremely helpful. Then, rinse it off, and be prepared to love the results.

 

When’s the best time to use a mask? Well, it depends on the mask and what you’re looking to accomplish. Some masks are meant to be worn overnight while you snooze, and others are best used in the daytime. If the allotted time you leave the mask on is short, applying it could easily be incorporated into a morning or nightly routine. 

When it comes to a clay mask, you don’t want to wear the clay mask overnight because leaving clay on for too long can draw out your skin's moisture and dry out your skin. For clay masks, it’s best to simply follow the instructions that come with the product you choose for optimal results.

 

Moisturizing 

 

Clay masks are great for drawing out toxins and impurities and moisturizing your sensitive facial skin. Whether you have dry or oily skin, a clay face mask is your ticket to glowing, radiant skin. 

Everyone’s skin care needs are different and unique. Some people deal with excess facial oil because their skin is naturally dry, but their body is trying to overcompensate by overproducing oil, and as you can imagine, this often equates to breakouts. We know, more than anything else, you don’t need more breakouts on top of every other thing going on in this hectic year.

 

Luckily, if you’re breaking out, you don’t necessarily need expensive, complicated treatments. Make sure that you stay hydrated and incorporate an all-natural moisturizer or moisturizing face mask a few times a week, so you can correct the dryness. 

 

It’s no secret that moisture helps your skin stay youthful and supple. Dry skin is at a higher risk of succumbing to sun damage, so you need to take extra precautions from those deadly UV rays. Besides the internal benefits, Gleamin’s clay mask also includes vitamin C, which can help protect your sensitive skin against sun damage from harmful UV rays. This is on top of the extra layer of moisture that the mask locks in to keep you looking healthy. 

 

Exfoliating 

 

One of the many benefits of clay masks is their exfoliating effect. Exfoliating is just a fancy term for removing dead skin cells before they have a chance to pile up on your skin. When dead skin cells accumulate, they can clog your pores and lead to more breakouts, which is definitely the last thing you need. 

The good news is that your body naturally sloughs off skin cells and leaves the new cells underneath. But while this natural process is occurring, you can help by exfoliating with a clay face mask a few times a week. A clay face mask will soak up the dead skin cells and gently remove them when you wash it off, leaving your face feeling smooth, bright, and fabulous. 

 

As with anything, be wary of exfoliating too much. Remember, the skin on your face is sensitive, so you have to handle it with care. For clay masks, you should try to incorporate them into your skincare regimen, maybe once or twice a week. If nothing else, start small and work up to more to avoid irritating your sensitive facial skin. 

Additionally, if you have inflammatory acne, talk to your dermatologist first before switching up your skincare routine because sometimes exfoliation can irritate the cysts and make the condition worse. While clay masks have amazing exfoliation capabilities, your face and skin care needs are unique, so be cautious when introducing something new.

 

Stress Less 

 

Reducing stress in your life is a big one, and it can do wonders for your skin health. We understand at times, it’s hard to just chill out, but you need to take the time to love yourself by letting go of stress. High levels of stress impact all aspects of your life, including your skin’s appearance. Did you know the real secret to naturally beautiful and glowing skin is eliminating stress? Stress does a number on your skin and your face, so it’s time to unwind and destress.

 

When you’re stressed, it’s easy to justify filling up on coffee or soda instead of hydrating properly with water. This can result in your skin becoming dry and flaky or lead to an overproduction of oil to compensate for the dryness. Plus, stress messes with your hormones, which can cause more breakouts, and you’ve already got enough on your plate.

 

So, what can you do? You can’t just press pause on life, but you can add a clay face mask to either your nightly or morning routine to pamper yourself and take 10 minutes of me time. Take that time to close your eyes, roll your shoulders back, and let your worries drift away for a little while. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

 

In Summary

 

Clay masking is a fabulous natural beauty trend that isn’t going away any time soon. These masks are here to stay. Luckily, with companies like Gleamin choosing to go green and get rid of harsh chemicals and unnecessary toxins in their skincare products, we are paving the way towards healthier beauty the way Mother Nature always intended. 

So, put a load of clay on your face, and take a load off while you begin your journey down the road towards natural, healthy, glowing skin.

 

Sources

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/kaolin

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632318/

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/rhassoul-clay-2