Which Clay Mask is Suitable for Your Skin Type?

                            Applying Different Clay Masks For Nourishing Your Skin

Introduction:

Ayurveda recommends cleansing the skin through gentle daily exfoliation as opposed to using harsh soaps which cleanse through stripping away the skin’s natural protectant sebum. A weekly ritual which you may want to incorporate into your self-care routine is the use of a Clay Mask. Facial Masks almost always have a type of earth-based clay in them to help detoxify & cleanse the skin; however, sometimes it is difficult to determine which clay will best benefit your particular skin type. So, I have mentioned different clays below with their functions & benefits.

How clay works?

1. Cation Exchange Capacity:

When mixed with water the negatively charged particles on the clay's surface become bound to the positively-charged minerals (picture to the right) in the water. The theory is that since clay is made largely of minerals, these positively charged good minerals are then able to exchange with positively charged impurities in the surrounding area which are removed from your face as part of the clay, thus leaving good natural minerals behind on your skin.

Clays with herbs:

Clays can be combined with herbal powders, which help to prevent over drying and replenishes moisture, while still drawing out toxins and providing the benefits of the clay’s trace elements and minerals.

Herbs that are demulcent are especially beneficial in a vata face mask. Demulcent herbs soothe the skin by bringing more moisture to the tissues and, therefore, increasing your skin’s ability to hold moisture. These herbs include: plantain, marshmallow, shatavari, and licorice. If you use demulcent herbs in your clay mask, you will want to add a little water to your mixture to help hydrate them.

Another important factor in making hydrating masks is the liquid you use. Using a water and clay mask can be a bit too drying for vata skin, but if the mixture contains demulcent herbs, as listed above, then using water only is fine.

Other great options for hydrating clay masks include:

1.            Milk: Milk contains proteins and fats that help to nourish and soften the skin. It is commonly used in Ayurveda for skin treatments.

2.            Honey: In Ayurveda, honey is considered purifying. It draws out toxins and impurities from your skin without drying it out, leaving a soft, clean feeling.

3.            Avocado: Avocado is high in essential fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins. It’s great for softening your skin, while replenishing it with oils and nutrients.

4.            Yogurt: Yogurt contains good fats and proteins that your skin loves. It also contains probiotics (good bacteria), which can help restore balance and reduce unwanted bacteria.

1.RED CLAY:

Function: Balances, tones and purifies

Used for its beauty benefits since the dawn of time, this natural mineral owes its colour to a high concentration of iron oxide. Naturally rich in trace elements, it stimulates microcirculation in the blood vessels to really wake up the skin.

WHO CAN USE IT?

Red clay is suitable for everyone, and those with skin that is sensitive, irritated, tired or prone to redness will find it especially appealing.

BENEFITS:

•             Revives and brightens the complexion

•             Reduces redness and soothes discomfort caused by irritations

•             Mattifies and unifies the complexion acts as a natural colour in makeup

•             Absorbs excess sebum from the skin and hair

•             Restores body, silkiness and shine to hair

2. PURPLE CLAY

Function: smoothens and purifies

WHO CAN USE IT?

Perfect for people with dull or tired skin. With a low concentration of minerals salts, purple clay is the perfect ally for dry and fragile skin.

BENEFITS:

•             Detoxifies the skin

•             Restores softness to the skin

•             Boosts the complexion’s radiance

•             Acts as colouring agent in makeup

3. YELLOW CLAY

Function: tones, oxygenates and exfoliates

With less iron oxide than green clay, yellow clay also causes less irritation.

WHO CAN USE IT? While it’s suitable for combination skin, its gentleness is ideal for dry, sensitive and mature skin.

BENEFITS:

•             Cleanses while absorbing impurities

•             Stimulates the production of collagen

•             Oxygenates the cells

•             Revitalizes the hair

•             Strengthens fragile hair

•             Has natural anti-wrinkle properties

4. WHITE CLAY

Function: soothes, heals and revitalizes

White clay is rich in mineral salts and contains kaolin, an ingredient that helps repair skin and hair. It is one of the gentlest types of clay for the skin.

WHO CAN USE IT? As white clay is quite gentle, it is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive, dry or mature skin. It also helps restore radiance to dry, fragile hair.

BENEFITS:

•             Antiseptic

•             Anti-inflammatory

•             Helps skin to heal

•             Softens and purifies the skin

•             Hydrates the hair

5. PINK CLAY

Function: regenerates and soothes

A mix of red and white clay, pink clay enjoys the benefits of both. The result: an instant glowing complexion!

WHO CAN USE IT?

Since pink clay cleanses the skin deeply with no irritation, it’s an essential addition to your beauty routine if you have dry, sensitive or reactive skin. It is also recommended for sensitive scalps.

BENEFITS:

•             Restores radiance to the skin

•             Softens and hydrates the skin

•             Treats damaged skin

•             Eliminates redness

•             Smoothens the skin’s texture

•             Revitalizes the scalp

6. GREEN CLAY

Function: purifies and detoxifies

This volcanic rock contains more minerals than white clay, making it more absorbent and able to remove more toxins and impurities. Also called Illite clay & French Green clay.

WHO CAN USE IT? Green clay is the perfect remedy for hair that is oily, shiny or dull. People with oily, combination or acne-prone skin will also love it, since it removes dirt from the skin and scalp, in addition to absorbing excess sebum.

For Kapha Skin (Oily Skin) and/or Acne Prone Skin

BENEFITS:

•             Regulates sebum production

•             Fights acne

•             Reduces the appearance of blackheads and tightens pores

•             Mattifies the skin

•             Helps skin to heal

•             Fights dandruff

•             Purifies and balances the scalp

7. BLUE CLAY

Function: hydrates and oxygenates

While this type of clay is quite rare, it’s a serious antipollution ally. Blue clay is renowned for its gentleness and invigorating virtues, restoring vitality to both your hair and skin.

WHO CAN USE IT? For everyone! Blue clay is particularly effective for mature or oily skin, and for dry or coloured hair.

BENEFITS:

•             Removes impurities, pollution

•             and dead skin

•             Oxygenates the skin

•             Restores radiance and brightness to hair and skin

•             Nourishes the hair

•             Repairs and protects the hair from external aggressors

 8. Bentonite

When mixed with water, bentonite swells up like a sponge and becomes very slippery and almost gel-like.

Who can use it?

For Pitta Skin (Sensitive Skin) and/or Tridoshic Skin (Balanced Skin)

Good for all skin types, bentonite it is commonly used in shaving soaps to provide slip, so the razor glides over the skin which helps prevent cuts and razor burn. When used in natural clay deodorants, nutrient-rich bentonite clay helps absorb sweat naturally.

Skin Care Benefits: Bentonite is a very absorbent and adsorbent clay and works well to draw out most skin impurities and excess oils. It is particularly recommended for oily, acne-prone skin, has exfoliating properties and helps reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads.

In haircare, bentonite clay is rich in minerals that encourage hair growth. Bentonite helps draw out impurities, helps remove dead skin cells from the scalp, cleanses hair follicles, restores hair’s natural balance and helps remove product buildup.

9. Kaolin :

White kaolin clay is also known as "White China Clay," but can be found in a variety of natural colors depending on its combination with other trace minerals.

For example, Kaolin clay can be a pink, red or orange in combination with naturally occurring iron oxide, or a yellowish pink when in combination with feldspar. Pink or rose kaolin can be from naturally occurring iron oxides or sometimes it is a combination of white kaolin mixed with red kaolin.

Function:

When added to soap, kaolin imparts a silkiness to the lather, acts as a gentle exfoliator, mild cleanser and can also add natural color.

Who can use it?

In haircare, gentle kaolin, rich in silica, helps clean the scalp without drying. It calms inflammation, helps moisturize and revitalize dry, damaged hair. It improves circulation in the scalp and removes dirt and impurities from the hair follicles which helps strengthens the roots.

10. Rhassoul :

The molecular structure of Rhassoul clay gives it a unique ability to absorb excess dirt and oil, as well as extract impurities from the skin. It is extremely rich in trace minerals especially silica, magnesium, potassium and calcium minerals that are beneficial for the skin and has been used for centuries as a cleanser and conditioner for the skin and hair. Rhassoul means wash in Arabic.

Function:

Although it is great for oily hair, Rhassoul also prevents dryness by nourishing and cleansing the scalp without stripping away the protective sebum.

Who can use it?

Recommended for sensitive scalps, normal to oily hair, and dandruff, For Vata Skin (Dry Skin).

Tips:

1. Sun-dried clay is the best, as it retains 100% of its trace elements.

2. Hydrated clays have added water and therefore need preservatives.

3. Kaolin clays are good for dry to normal skin.

4. Bentonite and Rhassoul clays are good for normal, combination or oily skin.

5. Illite clays, like French Green clay, are best for oily skin.

References:

1. shorturl.at/alvwG

2. shorturl.at/puy45