Properties of white clay and use in cosmetology for facial skin

In cosmetology, along with black and blue clay, more exotic varieties are also used. For example, white clay, or kaolin, is widely popular. Most often it is used to prepare homemade masks for oily and problem skin, since the product has a drying, cleansing and whitening effect. But by adding other ingredients you can get a truly versatile remedy. The substance is completely natural, so it rarely causes allergies or other side effects. From the article you will learn how white clay is useful in face masks.

Chemical composition

White clay is a hydrous aluminum silicate, which is obtained by weathering field granite, gneiss and other rocks. It does not dissolve in water, but only forms a suspension with an alkaline reaction. Consists of aluminum oxide, silica and impurities of other minerals.

The table shows the main components of clay that are beneficial for the skin:

Useful properties of clay

White clay has high fire resistance and viscosity. Initially used to create porcelain and earthenware, today it is actively used both in the production of building materials and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetology.

Useful properties of kaolin:

• heat capacity;
• antiseptic and antimicrobial effect;
• analgesic effect;
• moisturizing and nourishing epidermal cells;
• whitening effect;
• enveloping and adsorbing effect.

The substance is a powerful absorbent. Promotes the removal of cell breakdown products, toxins and even radioactive elements. Due to this, it is often used as part of cleansing masks.

Benefits of clay masks for facial skin

White clay is most widely used in home care masks. You can purchase the ingredient at the pharmacy; it is most often available in dry form for subsequent dilution.

White clay can be used not only for cosmetic purposes, but also for medicinal purposes

Useful properties of kaolin:

• enhances the effect of other components, increases the overall effectiveness of the mask;
• absorbs excess sebum and toxins;
• tightens and cleanses pores;
• relieves inflammation, dries out acne and pimples;
• improves natural color, gives matte finish;
• enhances regeneration and metabolic processes;
• nourishes and saturates cells with useful minerals.

To create a mask, clay is often combined with other ingredients, which can enhance one or another effect. Most often, kaolin is used as a base for a cleansing or drying acne mask.

White clay can also be found in finished cosmetic products. It is added to face masks, cream soaps and even bath salts.

Nourishing product for normal skin

With this delicate mask you can remove fine wrinkles, cleanse your face, and significantly tighten pores.

Components:

• egg white - 1 pc.;
• fresh banana - ½ piece;
• milk - 30 ml;
• kaolin - 20 g.

Manufacturing and application technology:

1. 
   The slightly warmed milk is poured into the clay powder and mixed.

2. Grate the banana and chop it using a blender.
3. The fruit is placed in the prepared mixture, protein is added.
4. The mask is used for more than 10 minutes. Gently wash off.

Regular use will noticeably refresh the skin after 2 or 3 treatments.

Indications for use

White clay is a truly universal component. Due to its wide range of beneficial properties, it can be used for different skin types. The specific effect depends on the composition of the mask, the method and time of the procedure.

For oily skin

Kaolin dries, eliminates oily shine and tightens pores. Suitable for regular use, a mask made from this substance can be used at any age. The substance normalizes metabolic processes in the epidermis, therefore it is also suitable for the prevention of increased fat content. Reduces the risk of developing acne, pimples and comedones.

Normalization of the sebaceous glands is the main property of white clay

Purifying and whitening mask

White clay effectively draws impurities out of pores, resulting in a powerful cleansing result. After exposure to the skin, a uniform structure is achieved. In addition, kaolin absorbs toxins and other harmful substances. It also has a pronounced whitening effect. Suitable for combating pigmentation and unpleasant consequences of acne. When applied regularly, a white clay mask evens out the color and gives a matte finish.

Anti-inflammatory for mature skin

When combined with medicinal herbs and pharmacy vitamins, white clay helps relieve inflammation. Eliminates redness and reduces the risk of complications. For example, to create a mask, an infusion of chamomile, linden or nettle, as well as vitamin E, is used. With regular use of this product, the natural shade of the skin is restored, and the face looks younger.

Do not use a face mask if there is severe inflammation, a large number of purulent pimples and other bacterial infections.

For dry skin

To work with dry skin types, white clay should be used carefully; it is usually added to the mask only as an additional ingredient. It effectively enhances the effect of honey and fermented milk products, and also slightly eliminates flaking and normalizes water balance.

In addition, it relieves inflammation and stimulates the protective properties of the epidermis, which is important for thin and dry skin. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a thick moisturizer.

For normal skin

Kaolin can also be used in masks for normal skin. It is combined with fresh vegetables or fruits, dairy products. As a result, you can get an effective remedy for rejuvenation, nutrition and gentle cleansing of the face. Suitable for regular use at any age. And by adding citric acid, kefir or egg white, you can eliminate unwanted pigmentation, even out your skin tone and give it a healthy color.

Universal anti-aging

The substance has a powerful stimulating and regenerative effect, suitable for use as part of anti-aging masks. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to add aloe juice or sour cream depending on the type of epidermis.

After application, the production of collagen and elastin is enhanced, due to which fine wrinkles are smoothed out. The functioning of the vascular system improves, which leads to increased nutrition of cells. It is advisable to use this mask after 30 years.

For all skin types

White clay in its pure form or with the addition of cucumber juice can be used for whitening, regardless of skin type. This mask is suitable for eliminating freckles, pigmentation or getting rid of acne marks. To achieve a visible result, the procedure must be carried out in a course with a regularity of up to 2 sessions per week. If you follow the application technology, you can adjust the skin tone in the problem area by 1-2 tones.

The regularity of using a clay-based face mask depends on the type and condition of the skin. It is not recommended to apply the composition more than 2 times a week.

White clay for cellulite

One of the most useful properties of white clay is that the product effectively helps remove the unsightly lumpiness of cellulite on the body. White clay draws out toxins and waste from the epidermis, eliminating their harm, removes excess fluids and salts, relieves swelling and increases the elasticity of the skin.

To combat “orange peel”, white clay wraps are mainly used. The procedure can be carried out using white clay alone, or you can mix kaolin with honey, cream, cinnamon or essential oils, which will provide additional benefits.

For example, a remedy made from 3 large spoons of clay, 1 spoon of cream and 1 spoon of honey is beneficial. The mixture is distributed over the previously cleaned body in problem areas, the treated areas are wrapped in cling film and placed under a warm blanket for 40 minutes. After the expiration date, the clay is washed off with water. It is best to repeat healing wraps every other day, then by about the 10th session the beneficial properties of the procedure will have an obvious effect.

Important! To eliminate cellulite, baths with the addition of white clay and massage are beneficial.

It is especially useful to combine and alternate all 3 procedures; there will be no harm from this.

Using Clay

To achieve a pronounced and lasting result, it is important to use white clay correctly. Recommendations for use:

• Before applying the mask, you should thoroughly cleanse the skin, steam the pores with a hot towel, using steam or a sauna;
• Clay should be diluted only in warm liquid; at high temperatures, biological activity decreases;
• to avoid the appearance of lumps, it is recommended to gradually pour the liquid into the clay, carefully mixing the composition;
• The ready-to-use mask should have the consistency of thick sour cream, which is convenient for applying to the face.

It is most convenient to wash off a homemade clay-based face mask with warm water or a cotton pad soaked in it.

Masks are recommended to be applied along massage lines

After the procedure, it is advisable to apply a thin layer of moisturizer.

To prepare the composition, you need to use glass or ceramic dishes; contact with metal should not be allowed. When interacting with it, the beneficial properties of kaolin are reduced.

For dry skin

Components:

• 1 tbsp. l. clay;
• 2 tbsp. l. milk;
• half a banana;
• 1 protein.

Pour the clay into warm milk and mix well. Add the banana and egg white, chopped on a grater or in a blender, to the main mixture and mix again. Apply to skin, rinse after 10 minutes.

For oily skin

Effective recipes for cleansing oily skin:

1. Combine 1 tbsp. l. clay with 2 tbsp. l. alcohol and 1 tsp. aloe juice Distribute a thin layer over the face, rinse after 6-10 minutes with warm water.
2. Mix 2 tbsp. l. clay with 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice and 20 ml of hydrogen peroxide. Apply to face, wash after 10-15 minutes.

After removing the remnants of the mask, you need to treat the dermis with a moisturizer.

Anti-inflammatory

Recipe for a mask against red spots and acne:

1. Place 1 tbsp in a small container. l. dried nettle and linden leaves. Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover and leave for half an hour.
2. Strain the medicinal infusion, pour the warm liquid into a glass or clay bowl, pour in 1 capsule of vitamin E.
3. Add 15–20 g of clay and mix well. Spread the finished mixture over your face and rinse after 15–20 minutes.

For acne

Combine 1 tbsp. l. aloe juice and clay. Add 1 tbsp to the resulting mixture. l. mineral water and 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Wash off the composition from the dermis after 15 minutes.

For wrinkles

Anti-wrinkle recipe for oily dermis:

1. Heat 1 tsp. steamed honey.
2. Gradually add 1 tbsp. l. clay, stir until all grains are dissolved.
3. When the composition has cooled, distribute it over the epidermis, rinse after 10–15 minutes.

To prepare an anti-wrinkle mask for dry epidermis, you need to add 1 tsp to the honey-clay mixture. kefir

From blackheads

Dilute 1 tbsp. l. clay and 1 tbsp. l. mineral water. Without ceasing to stir, add 1 tsp to the composition. lemon juice and 2 drops of mint essential oil. Apply to the epidermis, rinse with cool water after 20–25 minutes.

Deep cleansing

Sequencing:

1. Steam your face with a chamomile steam bath - you can use other herbs.
2. Use a scrub - this will help remove the keratinized layer of cells and allow the active components of the mask to penetrate into the deeper layers of the dermis.
3. Combine white clay with miramistin and chlorhexidine in equal proportions, apply the composition to the skin of the face, rinse after 15–20 minutes.
4. Treat cleansed epidermis with moisturizer.

The described mask should be used no more than once every 10 days, so as not to harm the skin.

Nutritious

Preparation method:

1. Mix well 2 tbsp. l. cooked oatmeal and 1 tbsp. l. clay.
2. Pour 3 tbsp into the resulting mass. l. preheated milk.
3. Distribute the composition over the face, rinse after 20 minutes.

This mask will help get rid of flaking and even out the color of the epidermis.

Whitening

Method for making a mask to even out facial tone:

1. Squeeze the juice from 2 medium cucumbers or grate them on a small grater.
2. Add 2 tbsp to vegetable puree. l. clay.
3. Apply the resulting composition to the dermis, rinse off the residue after 10–15 minutes.

The finished mask can be stored for 7–8 hours in the refrigerator. To enhance the tonic effect, it is recommended to rinse off the cleansing mixture with mineral water.

Rejuvenating

Steps for preparing a homemade mask:

1. Cut 1-2 aloe leaves and put them in the refrigerator for several weeks - low temperatures stimulate the production of biologically active stimulants that have a rejuvenating effect. It is best to take fleshy leaves from a plant over 2 years old.
2. Combine equal amounts of clay with aloe pulp and juice and apply in an even layer to the face.
3. Wash off the mask after 20–25 minutes, apply nourishing cream for daily use.

To activate natural regeneration processes at the cellular level, you can use a mask of clay and milk mixed in a 1:1 ratio. This mixture is washed off the face after 15 minutes.

With tea tree oil

Recipe for antibacterial, regenerating, antiviral and antifungal mask:

1. To 1 tbsp. l. white clay add ½ tsp. salicylic acid.
2. Pour in 3 drops of tea tree essential oil and stir until all lumps dissolve.
3. Add 3 tbsp. l. mineral or purified water, mix again.

Apply a thin layer to the face, rinse after 10 minutes. In the future, the duration of the procedure can be gradually increased to 20 minutes. This mixture should be used once every 4–6 days.

With lemon

To 2 tbsp. l. clay, add 5-7 drops of lemon juice, pour in a little water to make a homogeneous paste. Distribute over face, rinse with cool water after 7–10 minutes.

Lemon juice reduces the visibility of freckles and age spots, normalizes the production of subcutaneous fat and replenishes the lack of vitamins. Adding 1 tsp to the cleansing mixture. cucumber pulp will also help achieve a tonic effect.

Contraindications, harm and precautions

White clay is a natural ingredient that does not contain chemical additives. The substance rarely causes allergies, but if the skin is hypersensitive, it should be used with caution. Before the first use, it is recommended to apply the finished composition in a thin layer to the elbow area and wait for the reaction.

Allergies most often occur not to the clay itself, but to additional components

Do not use homemade face masks for mechanical damage to the skin or severe burns. For chronic dermatological diseases in the relapse stage, you should first consult a doctor. Such procedures are strictly prohibited in the presence of purulent formations, as well as a pronounced inflammatory process.

Contraindications, possible adverse reactions

White clay is considered a hypoallergenic product, so the risk of an allergic reaction when used in its pure form is minimal, but not completely excluded. Allergies are possible to other components of the mask, so you need to select them carefully. Before using clay for the first time, it is recommended to conduct a test - apply the product to the crook of your elbow, rinse after drying. Monitor your skin's reaction throughout the day.

In case of allergies, various adverse reactions are possible. More often it is redness, itching, burning.

White clay has a drying effect, so it should be used carefully on dry skin. The product can cause peeling, redness, and tightness of the skin.

A contraindication to the use of any clay is an exacerbation of the inflammatory process. The possibility of using kaolin should be discussed with your doctor.

How often can you make masks, clay storage

The regularity of procedures directly depends on the type of epidermis. If you have increased oil content, clay-based masks can be made up to 2 times a week; for those with normal skin type, the product is suitable for weekly use. In case of increased dryness and sensitivity, you need to be careful and carefully monitor the body's reaction. The optimal frequency of procedures is 2 times a month.

After making the composition, it must be used within 12-18 hours, after which the clay loses its beneficial properties and even becomes dangerous for the skin. Dry clay can be stored for several years in a dry and dark place.

It is advisable to store white clay in an airtight, opaque bag. This allows you to reduce exposure to light and air, due to which beneficial properties are lost.

Rules for preparing masks

White clay is a useful cosmetic product that requires a respectful approach. If kaolin is diluted incorrectly, the material will be wasted. Even if no harm occurs, the properties of the product will not bring any benefit either.

1. It is necessary to dilute the useful product in a ceramic or glass container. Metal bowls are not suitable in this case, because the minerals in kaolin may react with them. There may be no harm from this, but white clay will lose its beneficial properties.
2. The water for diluting the mixture should be clean, boiled and warm, but not hot. The finished product should remain semi-liquid in consistency, like sour cream.
3. White clay should be applied to the skin immediately after preparation. The product hardens quickly and in its dried form no longer contains any benefit, but can even cause harm.

The benefits of white clay for the skin will only appear if the epidermis is healthy. If the face is irritated, kaolin will cause harm - severe itching and inflammation will occur.

It is recommended to use the benefits of white clay for the face no more than 10 times in a row. After this, it is advisable to take a break for a month and, if necessary, repeat the beneficial course later.

We recommend reading: Properties and uses of tea tree essential oil for the face

Results

1. White clay, or kaolin, is a natural substance widely used in pharmacology, cosmetology and construction.
2. The product is an absorbent, has an anti-inflammatory, drying, cleansing and whitening effect on the skin. Contains a large amount of minerals, effectively nourishes cells.
3. This is a universal component; when combined with other ingredients, a white clay mask can be used for any skin type.
4. The finished composition can be stored for no more than 12-18 hours. Before applying the product to your face, you need to make sure that there are no allergies or other side effects.

Women's opinions

The opinions of those who have already tried this product help to understand how effective a clay face mask is. Here are the reviews left about the clay by fans of homemade cosmetic products.

• Larisa (27 years old, Saransk): “I consider masks with clay the best remedy both against wrinkles and for cleansing pores. Moreover, compared to scrubs, they do not injure the skin at all.”
• Daria (33 years old, Izhevsk): “Clay is my favorite skin care product. I tried different varieties and settled on red, white and green. They cleanse my skin much better than store-bought masks.”
• Olesya (36 years old, Moscow): “I love white, pink and yellow clay, my face just glows after them. But I didn’t like the green one too much; it doesn’t cleanse the pores very well.”

As you can see, clay masks received positive ratings from many girls. The main thing is to choose a variety that is suitable for your skin, and also do not forget about the rules for its use.

The opinions of girls and women who have already tried the desired product help to get an idea of ​​​​the effectiveness of home cosmetics. Here are the reviews they left about white clay face masks.

• Ekaterina (39 years old, Moscow): “Since my youth I have suffered from oily, pimply skin. I always add white clay to my homemade masks. It gets rid of acne, cleanses pores, and evens out the complexion.”
• Elena (25 years old, Voronezh): “I love masks with white clay, after them my face is simply velvety. In the summer I do them every week, but in the winter no more than once a month, since kaolin dries out the skin greatly.”
• Margarita (28 years old, Tolyatti): “It was white clay that helped me get rid of acne in my youth. And now, if something comes up, I immediately make a mask with kaolin, and everything is fine.”

As you can see, a white clay face mask at home has a lot of fans. The main thing is to wisely select the accompanying components and be sure to take into account your skin type when using this wonderful product.