Here’s one thing you’ve probably been doing wrong all this time. You should never let a clay mask dry fully, that just means it’s sucking out all the moisture from your skin. Despite how tempting it may be to leave it on while you’re going about your everyday tasks, wash it off when it starts getting lighter in colour and still a bit sticky.
Why use clay masks?
Clay masks have been used as a skin decongestant and antibiotic for centuries due to their porous and highly absorbent nature, and are a must-have for oily or acne-prone skin.
Clay has the ability to draw out toxins from within the body and from the surface of the skin. Various therapeutic clays, especially bentonite clay can effectively bind to heavy metals like mercury, lead and other environmental pollutants and eliminate them from the body’s tissues.
Other than drawing out toxins, clay is a natural substance that is rich in beautifying minerals including calcium, silica, iron, and potassium, which can strengthen skin and even balance sebum-moisture levels.
Bentonite clay possesses the strongest ability to detoxify the skin, absorb and draw out impurities from the skin. It also keeps bacteria at bay and promotes blood circulation to the surface of the skin.
On the other hand, kaolin clay is the gentlest, making it great for those with sensitive or irritation-prone skin. Moreover, clay masks have evolved greatly over the years and are no longer as drying, harsh, or pungent as they used to be. Natural essential oils, glycerin, antioxidants, and shea butter are often added to nourish, soothe and hydrate skin. So there’s really no reason not to get masking and give your skin an intense, deep cleanse!
Use this mask once or twice a week, for 10 minutes each time, to detoxify and purify skin exposed to urban pollution. The blend of Malachite & Kaolin clay regulates sebum production and draws out the daily build-up of impurities while salicylic acid and multi-fruit acids exfoliate dead skin to improve the rate of cell renewal.
Formulated with Jeju volcanic clusters, this clay mask helps absorb excess oil on the skin to minimise the appearance of pores while helping to improve the texture and look of the skin. With ingredients like AHA, walnut shells, and volcanic cluster capsules, this mask also has a triple exfoliation benefit that helps to smoothen the skin texture and soften the complexion.
This multitasking, three-in-one treatment, it contains mineral-rich Umbrian clay, which is one of the earliest known cosmetic ingredients (dating back to the 6th century). It combats congestion by cleaning out impurities within pores while sandalwood oil has astringent properties that calm the skin. Skin is detoxified without being stripped of moisture, to give you a balanced and healthy-looking complexion.
For those who are concerned with blemishes and uneven skin texture or skin tone, this deep cleansing clay mask offers multiple benefits for the skin. Using salicylic and glycolic acids, this clearing mask exfoliates dead skin cells and the chamomile and red seaweed extracts help soothe and condition the skin to keep it from drying out. Simply apply a thin layer onto cleansed skin and gently rinse it off with warm water after 20 minutes.
A soothing and skin-softening treatment, the Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask contains French pink clay, rosehip oil, and chamomile flowers to calm and nourish the skin. French pink clay kickstarts cell renewal and improves skin’s elasticity while rosehip oil, naturally rich in essential fatty acids, repairs damaged tissue and prevents premature aging. Just mix one teaspoon with some water until a thick paste is formed and apply onto clean, dry skin. Rinse off once the mask dries for softer, smoother skin.
One of the more common skin concerns that people with oily skin deal with are larger pores. For a clay mask that helps clear pores and fight free radicals, the Tata Harper Purifying Mask is an ideal deep cleansing treatment. Enriched with papaya enzymes that provide the chemical exfoliation to clean, clear, and minimise the look of pores, and white clay that absorbs the oil and dirt buildup while gently cleansing the skin. This mask is also free of synthetics, toxins, fillers, artificials, and GMOs. Just apply a thick layer over the face (and neck!), then rinse it off with cold water after 20 minutes. You can use this up to three times a week for visible results.
An ultra-silky clay mask that comes in convenient pods, all you have to do is brush on a thin layer and leave it on for about ten minutes. Power-packed Golden Root extract counteracts cell damage, pure China clay purges toxins and impurities and Jujube fruit extract reduces skin inflammation to restore calm and balance to blemished complexions. Suitable for acne-prone skin, it can also be used as a spot treatment to treat angry, red zits.
Using a blend of French green clay and pumpkin seed extract, this clay mask claims to soothe skin inflammation by up to 50 per cent and help regenerate the most abundant type of collagen in the skin. Gentle and soothing, this formula is enriched with the combination of salicylic acid and mandelic acid that helps decongest pores, fight acne breakouts, and lighten post-acne pigmentation marks without any skin irritation. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types and 100 per cent eco-friendly and sustainably sourced.
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Text: Debby Kwong / Additional Reporting: Arissa Ha & Farisia Thang
This post was first published on September 28, 2019, and updated on August 14, 2020.
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