Face masks with clay: cosmetic properties, application rules and recipes

Clay is a sedimentary rock and, when dry, looks like a fine powder, and when moistened, it becomes plastic.

There are several varieties, each of which has certain properties. In cosmetology, several varieties of clay with different colors are used. You can buy any of them in a pharmacy or in a specialized department of a supermarket selling cosmetic products. But do not rush to go shopping - first you need to understand the properties of this substance and understand which facial mask with clay will be most useful to your skin.

How does clay act on the skin? How to breed clay? How to supplement it, that is, with what components, besides clay, can I make a mask? When to wash it off? Can pharmacy clay be harmful? What to do if after application the face turns red and the skin burns?

Cosmetic properties of clay

Different varieties differ from each other not only in color. They have a different mineral composition and have different effects on the skin. When planning to make a homemade face mask with clay, decide what result you expect from this procedure.

Green clay

This variety acquired its original color due to the high content of iron oxide. As a component of the mask, the substance perfectly moisturizes the skin, restoring its hydro balance, and also cleanses, smoothes wrinkles and treats inflammation. The use of a green face mask is especially advised to girls with sensitive and dry skin.

Blue clay

This breed is suitable for all skin types, has anti-aging properties, heals and cleanses the face, removes inflammations and pimples.

White clay

As an ingredient in home cosmetics, this variety has a whitening effect, relieves freckles and age spots, absorbs excess fat and reduces pores.

Yellow clay

This breed contains a lot of iron and potassium, which makes it great for aging, tired skin. A mask of yellow clay for the face will give it a rested, fresh look, activates the process of supplying oxygen to the cells of the epidermis and relieves inflammation. Use the product is recommended for women with early signs of aging, having oily, normal or combination skin type.

Red clay

The red breed is rich in copper and iron oxide and will be indispensable for women prone to anemia. A red clay face mask will help dry, dehydrated skin prone to hypersensitivity.It effectively copes with peeling and irritation, softens and moisturizes the epidermal cells, activates the process of oxygen supply to them and helps get rid of early wrinkles.

Pink clay

This variety is not found in nature, it is obtained by mixing two natural clays - red and white. A pink clay face mask is suitable for any type of skin, gently smooths wrinkles, tightens the contour of the face and gives it softness and velvety.

Black clay

The variety has the most dense texture and will certainly delight women suffering from acne and significant fat secretion.

Gray clay

The gray rock is mined from the seabed. It will be indispensable in masks for dry skin, while nourishing and moisturizing the epidermal cells. The product deeply cleanses the face, helps get rid of pimples, tightens and cleanses pores, has a rejuvenating and tonic effect.

6 rules for using masks

To get the best result from home cosmetics, you need to know how to properly make and apply clay-based face masks. When starting the procedure, pay attention to the following recommendations.

1. Before mask, thoroughly clean and steam your face. You can make a steam bath with a decoction of medicinal herbs, and if you don’t have time for this, at least take a shower to open your pores as much as possible. Before applying the product, do not wipe the face, leave it wet.
2. To prepare the mixture, use warm water and non-metallic dishes. Both boiling water and contact with metal can lead to the loss of some of the unique properties of clay, and the benefits of such a mask will be much less than expected.
3. Pour water into powder, not vice versa. This sequence will help to avoid the appearance of lumps. Do not rush to mix clay after adding liquid, let it soak for several seconds.
4. Apply mask immediately after mixing, avoiding eye area. Owners of dry skin with age-related changes are also recommended not to affect the area of ​​the nasolabial folds so that the drying properties of the clay do not lead to deepening of wrinkles.
5. Choose the right exposure time. Women with oily skin can leave the mask for 20 minutes, normal skin lasts 10 minutes, and for owners of dry type it is better to limit themselves to 5 minutes or add emollients to the mask.
6. Rinse clay with warm water without detergents. Pre-soak the dried mask and be extremely careful while washing, do not rub the skin. After the procedure, it is advisable to lubricate the face with a moisturizer.

Depending on the existing problems and skin condition, you can use the classic way, simply mixing clay with water, or putting in a mask and other ingredients.

The best recipes for masks

The most common components that add to clay are dairy products, eggs, and honey. Women with dry skin can also inject a bit into any mask. olive or other natural vegetable oil that prevents the person from drying out.

Anti-aging agent

One of the most popular and effective is a clay mask for wrinkles, which also uses sour cream and lemon juice.

You will need:

• 20 grams of pink clay;
• 20 grams of sour cream with a fat content of 20%;
• 1 slice of fresh lemon;
• 5 grams of honey.

Cooking

1. Pour clay powder into the slightly warmed sour cream and stir.
2. Squeeze the juice from a lemon slice (it should turn out about 1 teaspoon) and add it to the mixture.
3. Heat honey in a microwave or in a steam bath until warm, put in a mask, mix the components until smooth.
4. Apply on skin for 10-15 minutes.

Rinse off the mask first with warm and then cool water. The advantage of the recipe is that clay for the face from wrinkles in combination with sour cream does not dry the skin and can be used up to two times a week, regardless of skin type.

Nutritious recipe

To clean and moisturize the skin at the same time, giving it the necessary nutrition, a face mask made of green clay will help.

You will need:

• 30 grams of green clay;
• 30 ml of boiling water;
• 1 egg
• 10 grams of oatmeal.

Cooking

1. Pour boiling water over oatmeal and leave for 20 minutes to swell.
2. Add clay powder to oatmeal, stir.
3. Break and put the chicken egg in the mixture (you need to get it out of the refrigerator at least an hour before the procedure).
4. Mix components and apply a mask.

Owners of oily skin can slightly change the recipe by mixing the green breed with white in equal proportions.

Acne Cleansing Mask

One of the most famous properties of clay is its ability to effectively cleanse the skin, eliminate pimples and relieve inflammation. Adding herbs, lemon and a few drops of tea tree oil to such a mask, you can guarantee to relieve blackheads from your pores and even cope with acne.

Tea tree oil is a natural cosmetic product obtained from foliage and branches of an Australian plant called Melaleuca alternifolia. It is advisable to purchase it in a pharmacy, paying attention to the label: a quality substance that can benefit your skin should have a cineol content of 15% and diterpenes and terpineol more than 30%.

You will need:

• 3 grams of dry calendula;
• 3 grams of dry chamomile;
• 3 grams of celandine;
• 40 ml of boiling water;
• 20 grams of gray clay;
• 5 ml of lemon juice;
• 3 drops of tea tree oil.

Cooking

1. Pour boiling water over herbs and leave for half an hour.
2. Strain the cooled herbal infusion, pour it into the clay and mix.
3. Add fresh lemon juice and tea tree oil to the mixture.
4. Mix the ingredients thoroughly again.

Use the product 1-2 times a week until the desired result is achieved.

Tonic for tired skin

If in the near future you are about to have any special occasion or an important meeting, and the reflection in the mirror is only disappointing, try to refresh your face with an effective mask with yellow clay and sea ​​buckthorn oil. This natural remedy, obtained from the fruits of sea buckthorn, is rich in vitamins and fatty acids and has an excellent tonic effect on the skin. Be careful when choosing a product in a pharmacy: high-quality oil should have a rich red-orange color, be produced by cold pressing and contain from 180 mg /% carotenoids.

You will need:

• 20 grams of yellow clay;
• 1 egg
• 5 ml of sea buckthorn oil.

Cooking

1. Pour the yellow clay into a suitable container.
2. Add the egg at room temperature to the clay powder and mix.
3. Heat sea buckthorn oil in a water bath to a temperature of about 35 degrees.
4. Pour in warmed oil to other components, mix until smooth.

Sea buckthorn oil can cause allergic reactions, so before using the mask, do not forget to test by applying a small amount of the product to the wrist or the inside of the elbow.

Soothing mask

To help dry and irritated skin, a home mask with the addition of red clay is capable of. It will quickly relieve itching, eliminate peeling and smooth wrinkles, which often occur due to a lack of moisture in the cells of the epidermis.

You will need:

• 20 grams of red clay;
• 10 ml cream with a fat content of 20%;
• 1 yolk.

Cooking

1. Preheat the cream until warm.
2. Put the clay powder in a mask container, pour in the cream and stir.
3. Add raw egg yolk to the mixture, mix the ingredients until smooth.

Keep the mask on your face for about a quarter of an hour, and after washing, you must always lubricate the face with a moisturizer.

Opinions of women

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

• Larisa (27 years old, Saransk): “I consider masks with clay to be the best remedy for 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, settled on red, white and green. They cleanse my skin much better than purchased masks. ”
• Olesya (36 years old, Moscow): “I love white, pink and yellow clay, the face after them just shines. But I didn’t like the green one, it cleans the pores a little. ”

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