REVIEWS! The benefits of clay masks - general points and beneficial properties

The ancient healer Avicenna described in his writings the benefits of various types of clay for the face. The properties of this natural product are amazing. Almost 50% of clay is silicon, which is considered an important element for normal human life. A clay face mask should consist of an environmentally friendly, high-quality product, then the procedure will bring maximum benefit.

Features and Differences

There are different types of clay that those with oily skin types can use. They differ in composition, and therefore have different principles of action. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right skin care product.

So, the following types of this product are distinguished:

Blue. The main property of this remedy is considered to reduce the inflammatory process. Therefore, it can be used by girls who suffer from inflammation and skin rashes. With the help of blue clay you can whiten the dermis, deal with pigmentation and even smooth out wrinkles.
Yellow. This product is ideal for those with very oily skin. It can be used when inflammation occurs. In addition, yellow clay tones the skin, so it is recommended to use it in summer.
White. This product has a wide spectrum of action - dries, tones, cleanses the skin. It also has whitening and smoothing properties.
Green. Literally a few procedures using this product can cope with oily sheen and major skin problems.
Red. This product is recommended for those girls whose skin requires intense hydration. Thanks to the use of this product, you can reduce the sensitivity of the dermis, cope with the feeling of tightness and give it tone.
Pink. This option is considered universal because it suits all skin types. This remedy very rarely provokes a burning sensation or other unpleasant sensations.
Black. Thanks to the use of this composition, you can quickly cope with rashes, acne and inflammation on the face. This product must be used very carefully. It is not suitable for all girls, so it is recommended to do a sensitivity test first.

Choosing the right type of clay

Those with oily skin simply must have cosmetic clay on their facial care shelf. The composition of natural clay includes mineral salts and trace elements, among which special attention deserves: magnesium, iodine, calcium, copper, nickel, phosphorus, manganese.

There are several types of clay. They differ not only in color, but also in composition, therefore they have different principles of action. So, before using the product, you should find out which clay is suitable for oily skin.

Those with oily skin can use masks from:

Blue clay . Blue clay is especially good at combating inflammation and skin rashes. It dries out acne and at the same time nourishes and nourishes the skin. Cosmetologists often use blue clay in combination with anti-aging serums to smooth out facial wrinkles.
Yellow clay . An ideal product for problematic and oily skin. The components of yellow clay take part in regulating the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Regular application of masks helps tighten and cleanse enlarged pores.
Green clay . Green clay contains the active components zinc and copper. Microelements have a complex effect on the skin. After just a few cosmetic procedures, inflammation and oily shine are reduced. The skin becomes matte and pleasant to the touch.
White clay . White clay provides a wide spectrum of action. It tones, tightens and “calms” the skin. The use of a cosmetic product will help eliminate age spots and regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Benefit

Owners of oily skin are forced to constantly struggle with shine, which is a consequence of hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands. Also, this type of dermis is more susceptible to inflammation, which causes acne.

In addition to daily care, it is very important to use mattifying and cleansing products.

One of them is cosmetic clay, which is used in the form of masks.

Using this substance it is possible to obtain the following results:

mattify and dry oily skin;
cleanse the face of impurities;
exfoliate dead epithelial cells;
tighten pores;
regulate sebum synthesis, reducing the risk of rashes;
saturate with useful substances.

Benefits of gray clay for skin

In homemade cosmetology, use gray clay for the face:

Cleansing and nourishing the skin;
Narrowing of pores;
Improving the structure and complexion;
Whitening pigmentation;
Fighting age-related flabbiness;
Treatment of acne, blackheads, purulent pustules;
Removing oxidants and toxins.

The composition of the cosmetic powder contains:

iron;
potassium;
calcium;
magnesium;
zinc.

Indications: aged, dehydrated, dry, oily, problematic, porous skin, acne, peeling. Contraindications – individual intolerance. Very rarely, gray clay causes an allergic reaction; to use the composition safely, it is still worth testing it first.

Cooking rules

The basis of any classic mask is clay and water. To make a healthy product, you need to add 3 tablespoons of water to 2 tablespoons of powder.

Instead, you can use decoctions of medicinal plants - herbs such as chamomile, string, and sage are especially useful.

To prepare the product, water must be poured into the powder. This rule should not be neglected, as there is a risk of lumps appearing.

After adding water to the powder, you need to wait until it is completely absorbed. Only after this can the composition be mixed to obtain a paste consistency.

Terms of use

Rule #1 . Clay masks for dry skin should not harden or tighten the face; wash them off when the first tight sensation appears.

Rule No. 2. For complete cleansing, one mask is not enough. Use the course for 10-15 days. Only then will the effect be visible.

Rule #3. Never use water for dilution, as cosmetic clay for dry skin will be hard and will negatively affect the epidermis.

As you can see, masks have a number of useful benefits, so they should be used in your care.

How to prepare for the procedure

Before purchasing the product and preparing the mixture, you need to determine your skin type. For those with oily dermis, yellow, pink, white or blue clay is best.

Apply the composition to clean and slightly damp skin. It is not recommended to do peelings or scrubs before starting the procedure. Also, do not steam your face.

If a burning sensation appears a few minutes after applying the product, you can apply it by covering your face with film. This will make the procedure safer for the dermis.

Clay moisturizes the skin - how to achieve this effect?

The skin is daily exposed to serious influences of negative environmental factors: wind, sun, temperature fluctuations. Constant stress at work and age also have a big impact on her condition. Over the years, cell division in the epithelium slows down and the functioning of the glands is disrupted. As a result, the usual beauty and elasticity are lost. In addition to creams for dry skin, it is recommended to use clay.

How to maintain youth and freshness? Which clay is suitable for dry skin, and which one is better to refrain from using?

This product has long been used for dry and oily skin; it is perfect for preserving youth and elasticity for many years.

This is due to the special properties of clay:

Cleansing.
Nutritious.
Toning.
Anti-inflammatory.
Softening.

For dry skin and its hydration, it is recommended to add special essential oils, juices of fruits or vegetables, berries, and plant extracts that improve the structure of the epithelium to the mask. Such additives only increase the beneficial properties of the healing clay.

Most often added to masks:

Honey.
Eggs.
Dairy products (cream, yogurt, sour cream).
Puree from berries, vegetables or fruits.
Herbal decoctions.
Essential oils.

Clay masks for dry skin with the addition of such components will not only be effective, but also completely safe.

Recipes for making clay masks for oily skin

Currently, there are various clay masks for oily skin. They have different properties and help solve the main problems of the dermis.

The most effective means include the following:

Drying. To prepare it, you need to take 20 g of white clay, 30 ml of boiled water, 10 g of talc, 1 g of alum, 5 g of medical alcohol and glycerin each. All components must be mixed to a homogeneous paste consistency and applied to the skin. It is recommended to avoid the area around the mouth, eyes and eyebrows.
To eliminate oily shine. It consists of 100 g of white or green clay, 5 g of glycerin and alcohol, 30 ml of warm water. To make the product, the powder must be mixed with the other ingredients and then evenly distributed over cleansed skin.
Cleansing. To obtain this product, you will need 1 small spoon of green or blue clay and talc. You also need to take a couple of spoons of warm milk. First, mix the dry ingredients and then add the liquid. After absorption, the product should be applied to a cleansed face, avoiding the area near the eyes.
Tightens pores. To prepare it you will need a small spoon of white clay, a quarter spoon of borax, half a spoon of talc, 3% hydrogen peroxide and three quarters of a spoon of magnesium carbonate. First you need to mix the dry ingredients, then add peroxide to get the consistency of a paste.

Apply the product to cleansed skin and wait until it dries. After this, the composition can be removed using a dry cotton pad.

Mattifying mask. To make this product, you need to take one and a half tablespoons of white clay and starch, half a small spoon of boric acid and alum, 5 tablespoons of magnesium carbonate, a tablespoon of talc. You will also need 3% hydrogen peroxide.

First you need to mix the dry ingredients. Then take a couple of small spoons of the resulting composition and add peroxide to get the consistency of thick sour cream. Distribute the prepared product evenly over the face.

From shine and rashes. To make it you will need 3 tablespoons of white clay, one and a half tablespoons of aloe juice and boiled water. All components must be mixed to a paste and applied to the face.
Cleansing and toning. The composition includes a tablespoon of white and blue clay, as well as freshly squeezed cucumber juice - 3 tablespoons. First you need to mix two types of clay, then add juice. Leave it to soak until the mixture becomes paste-like. After this, it is applied to the skin.

Recipe No. 2 – Mask for dry and aging skin

Green clay product is intended for skin that loses elasticity and becomes wrinkled due to age. The mask tones the skin, provides it with the necessary hydration and nutrition.

Ingredients

Cabbage: 1 leaf;
Milk: 50 ml;
Green clay: 5 gr.

Features of preparing and using the mask

Making this clay face mask starts with preparing the cabbage leaf. It needs to be placed in a deep plate and filled with heated milk. This is necessary so that the cabbage leaf softens and swells to make it easier to chop.

When the cabbage leaf soaked in milk is soft enough, it needs to be crushed and then mixed with clay. To obtain the desired consistency, the composition is diluted with warm water.

Keep the mask on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Do not underestimate the benefits of ordinary white cabbage. Even in ancient times, it was highly valued for its ability to help against wrinkles and eliminate age spots.

How to wash off properly

The better the clay dries on the skin, the more noticeable the result of its use will become. Therefore, after applying the composition, you need to rest for 10-20 minutes, trying not to move or strain your facial muscles.

If you break this rule, the composition will crumble. As a result, there is a risk of reducing the effectiveness of the product.

To wash off the mask, use warm or cool water. Then it is recommended not to wipe your face, but to blot it with a towel. Finally, a cream with moisturizing properties is applied.

If the main problem lies in excess moisture and increased oiliness of the dermis, it is recommended to wipe it with tonic.

Find out how to choose a moisturizer for oily skin. Which oils are suitable for oily skin? Details here.

Using clay for masks

This clay is ideal for making various masks that are suitable for mature and dry skin. If you regularly use such compositions, this will affect the external condition of the skin as follows:

Small wrinkles will be smoothed out.
The skin will become firm and elastic.
The complexion will improve.
The pores will narrow.

There are many different recipes for making homemade masks using gray clay. It is worth considering the most effective of them.

Course and duration

The frequency of the procedure depends on the individual characteristics and sensitivity of the body. A universal option is to use the product regularly. It should be used 2-3 times a week. In some cases, masks are used every other day.

Literally 1 month is enough to significantly improve the condition of the skin and solve the main problems.

If you systematically use clay masks for six months, you can get even more amazing results. This approach will make the complexion more even and give the skin a velvety appearance.

But to consolidate the effect obtained, you need to make masks for preventive purposes. It is recommended to alternate different types of clay. They are applied 1-2 times a week. This is enough to completely get rid of irritation, acne, and redness.

Hair Mask

Gray clay is used not only for making face masks. This product can also be used to restore and moisturize the structure of weakened curls. If you regularly use gray clay for your hair, it will take care of your hair in the following ways:

Stops hair loss.
Will get rid of split ends.
Will bring back the lost shine.
Eliminates dandruff and flaking of the scalp.

To dilute clay powder, it is best to use distilled or mineral water. It is recommended to use tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil as an additional supplement. To do this, add no more than 5 drops of this product. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed, after which the mask should be applied evenly to the curls along the entire length, and also lightly rubbed into the scalp. To avoid premature drying, you can wrap your head in plastic wrap and cover it with a towel. The mask should be kept on the hair for no more than half an hour. When 30 minutes have passed, the clay should be washed off from the hair with warm water. You can use shampoo while rinsing. Since clay gives the curls some rigidity, it is best to use a special balm.

To eliminate brittleness and dryness, the mask must be applied at least once a week. To get rid of dandruff, this composition should be applied to the hair at least once every 3 days.

Tips from cosmetologists

Cosmetologists recommend adhering to certain rules when making and using clay masks, which will allow you to achieve good results.

These include the following:

Masks should only be prepared in ceramic or glass containers. It is prohibited to use metal utensils.
The product should not be applied to the skin around the mouth and eyes. Otherwise, there is a risk of excessive dryness.
After applying the composition you need to lie down quietly. Any facial movements should be abandoned.
To remove the mask, you can use a damp cloth. Just put it on your face and leave for a few minutes. This will make the mask softer and easier to remove. After this, you can lubricate the skin with a high-quality moisturizer.
The mask can be applied exclusively to problem areas. It is not necessary to treat your entire face.
The composition must be prepared immediately before application to the dermis.
When choosing a product, you should definitely take into account individual characteristics.

Watch how to make moisturizing face masks. Looking for the best foundation for oily skin? Review below. What are the benefits of Garnier micellar water for oily skin? Details here.

Wrap

An effective way to rejuvenate and strengthen the skin is wrapping. Cosmetologists recommend this procedure for older women, as well as those people who have suddenly lost weight and need skin tightening. As a result of the wrap, the skin is rejuvenated, stretch marks, dryness, and dermatological problems are eliminated.

The clay powder must be diluted with distilled or mineral water to obtain the consistency of thick sour cream. For mature skin, it is best to use goat's milk. The mixture is applied to problem areas with a layer of 3 mm. From above, the body is wrapped in several layers of cling film and wrapped in a towel. The mask is kept on the body for about 40 minutes and then removed with warm water. To consolidate the result, you can use a rejuvenating or nourishing cream after the procedure.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that gray clay is a truly unique skin care product. It can be used not only to make face masks, but also for hair and the whole body.

Photo: Before and after

Popular recipes

Here are some of the most effective recipes that can be used for rejuvenation at home.

Rejuvenating

A rejuvenating anti-wrinkle mask made from white clay is suitable for those with normal to combination skin. For preparation you will need a fermented milk product (kefir for oily skin or sour cream for normal skin), as well as aloe juice.

You can prepare this product yourself. To do this, the bottom leaf of the plant is washed, dried and placed in the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator, first wrapped in parchment. After ten days of exposure, you need to cut off the spines and skin from the inside of the leaf. Using a spoon, collect the pulp and squeeze it through cheesecloth. One mask will require a teaspoon of this valuable product.

Stir a couple of tablespoons of white clay in the fermented milk product, achieving a fairly thick creamy mass, then pour in the juice and mix. The composition is ready.

Lifting effect

This composition is especially recommended for use after the age of 50, as it not only smoothes out wrinkles, but also effectively tightens, providing a lifting effect.

Take green clay and potato starch, one spoon at a time, mix. Mix with a spoonful of thick sour cream (fat content 20% or higher) and one whipped egg white. After removing the composition, be sure to apply a moisturizer.

Smoothing

This composition effectively nourishes and smoothes out fine wrinkles. It is prepared using blue clay. Take a spoonful of flower honey and heat it a little in a water bath so that the product becomes more plastic, but heats up too much. Pour a spoonful of clay and pre-pounded yolk into warm honey, mix everything thoroughly.

Eliminate wrinkles on the forehead

An effective clay mask against wrinkles on the forehead is prepared on the basis of cosmetic white kaolin and olive oil. It is necessary to heat the oil to 40 degrees and mix it with clay so that a fairly thick mass is obtained.

Before applying the composition, you need to lie down. Apply a fairly thick layer to the forehead, cover with a paper towel, a piece of cling film, and place a thick terry towel on top. After 20 minutes, remove the composition; it is advisable to use chamomile infusion rather than water.

For excessive dryness

On skin prone to dryness, wrinkles begin to form at a young age. To prevent their appearance and eliminate existing wrinkles, it is recommended to use the following recipe:

grind the yolk of a chicken egg, adding to it a boatload of freshly prepared applesauce (grate a piece of fresh apple on the finest grater);
Pour a spoonful of red clay and half a teaspoon of jojoba oil into the prepared mass, rub everything until smooth.

Tonic

To give your skin tone and healthy color, you can use the following composition:

First you need to prepare an infusion of chamomile, place a tablespoon of dry raw materials in a glass and fill half the container with boiling water. Cover the dish with a saucer and let cool;
filter the infusion, carefully squeezing out the plant material;
take a couple of spoons of yellow clay and dilute it with infusion so that you get a mass similar in thickness to sour cream;
add half a teaspoon of avocado oil and rub.

Cleansing and eliminating wrinkles

To prepare this composition we use black cosmetic clay. For dilution we use milk (if the skin is dry or normal) or a decoction of St. John's wort (if the skin is prone to oiliness). Pour in enough liquid to form a creamy mass. Additionally, add half a teaspoon of wheat germ oil to the mixture. This composition perfectly renews the skin, the face looks younger after the first procedure.

Nourishing

This option is suitable for skin prone to flaking. We will need pomegranate, as well as essential and base oils. First, prepare a mixture of oils; to do this, pour a tablespoon of almond oil, a teaspoon of shea butter and five drops of lemon or blood orange ether into a bowl.

Separately prepare pomegranate juice (a tablespoon) and mix it with red clay until a thick mass is obtained. Then add a mixture of oils to the mixture and grind.

Nutrition and elasticity

This is a very simple but powerful anti-aging composition. You only need three ingredients - natural sea buckthorn oil, yolk and yellow clay. Mix them until the consistency of cream is obtained, add the yolk and knead until smooth.

Effective prevention

This composition can be used to prevent the formation of wrinkles after 25 years. To prepare the composition, it is recommended to use pink clay. To dilute the product we use milk or cream. We choose the last option if the skin is dry. Do this preventive procedure weekly, conduct courses twice a year.

To relieve irritation

If rashes and redness often appear on the skin, then the following composition will help solve the problem and smooth out fine wrinkles.

“Hercules” flakes (choose cereals that need to be cooked for at least 20 minutes, quick-cooking cereals and those that brew millet with boiling water will not work) The cereal needs to be ground into flour using a coffee grinder, we will need a spoonful of this flour.
The clay is green, we will take twice as much of it as oatmeal;
Mix the two dry ingredients and dilute them with warm milk until you get the consistency of sour cream. Let it brew for about half an hour. If the mass has thickened too much, add a little more milk;
Just before application, add five drops of tea tree ether and stir.

To level the terrain

Oily, porous skin does not look very beautiful; to make it more even and smooth, it is worth conducting a course of masks using a composition based on gray clay.

It is necessary to beat the protein to a strong foam and mix it with a spoon of kefir and gray clay. Add clay to the mixture little by little, achieving the desired consistency. When the mass acquires the thickness of sour cream, the mask can be applied. If you add the contents of two capsules of pharmaceutical vitamins Aevit to the prepared mass, the effect will be even more pronounced.

Subtleties of using green clay

This clay has regenerative properties due to its composition. And of course, all the same as other clays, namely: relieves irritation, inflammation, improves blood flow, excellent adsorbent and antiseptic. Suitable for oily and combination skin.

The classic version: mix equal parts of powder and water. You can add honey or use a herbal decoction instead of water.
With aloe juice. Two tablespoons are combined with one teaspoon of aloe.
Anti-inflammatory mask. In this case, you just need to dilute it in green tea until creamy.

Of all the variety, there are three clays that are great for problem skin: black, blue and green. You can combine them with white. Then they enhance each other's effect.

Blue clay - subtleties of use

Contains iron, calcium, magnesium, silver, phosphorus, copper and other minerals. The main advantage is its antiseptic property. This prevents the appearance of new pimples. Agree that this is the best used in the fight against acne. Expands pores, cleanses of impurities, kills germs, smooths out wrinkles, improves tone, making it soft and matte. Ideal, isn't it?

You can add herbal decoctions to the clay for additional disinfection, or aloe juice to eliminate irritation and itching. Just dilute the powder not with water, but with a decoction of chamomile/calendula/sage.
Lemon or cucumber are suitable for whitening. 30 grams of powder diluted in water are mixed with 5 grams of juice.
To tighten pores and eliminate oily shine, it is good to add rice or oatmeal flour. To do this, mix 20 grams of ingredients and dilute with warm water until creamy. Be sure to moisturize your face.

Features of black clay

Black clay is dense and slightly greasy to the touch. It is because of this consistency that it is recommended for oily and problematic skin. Contains carbon, strontium, quartz, magnesium, calcium. Don't be alarmed, the packaging is not only black, but also gray. Clay is used not only as a cleansing, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating agent, but also as an anti-cellulite agent.

If you are worried about oily shine, this mask is for you. To half a glass of powder, add a pre-prepared decoction of calendula (buy the herb at the pharmacy), squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and stir. Apply to skin along massage lines. The clay must dry. Rinse off with warm water.
Classic option: dilute in water according to instructions. The consistency should resemble cream.
If you want a whitening effect, you need to add warm milk to the powder to make two tablespoons. Add to them one tablespoon of sour cream and one teaspoon of chopped parsley.
To soften the drying effect, add the same amount of warm water, one egg and a spoonful of olive oil to half a glass of powder. After the mask, you should apply a light moisturizer.

Precautionary measures

Before starting a course of anti-aging procedures using clay at home, it is worth getting acquainted with the contraindications to the use of this product.

First you need to make sure that your skin responds adequately to all components of the mask. Even if you are not allergic to clay components, other components of the mask can cause a negative reaction. To avoid unpleasant surprises, do not be lazy to do a sensitivity test . Just apply a little of the prepared mask to the skin behind the ear or on the elbow for one hour. If after rinsing there are no traces on the skin (redness, rash) and no unpleasant burning sensation occurs, you can begin the procedure.

People with heart disease and hypertension should use masks with added clay with caution. Under no circumstances should they keep the masks on the skin for too long; in addition, they need to be careful when preparing the compositions. It is important not to violate the recommended proportions when preparing and not to exceed the exposure time.