Nature has made available a unique ingredient, a true ally for our beauty, clay. A clay mask, performed a couple of times a week, in fact, acts as a scrub, as a skin rejuvenator, as a soothing and also as an antibacterial tool, making clay a suitable cosmetic for all skin types. So let's try to understand the properties of clay and how to make face masks with this beneficial ingredient at home.
Clay beauty masks, properties
Clay shows antibacterial and healing properties, useful for treating skin irritations, skin infections, blackheads and acne (Moosavi et al, Iran J Public Health, 2017). Not only that, the clay has exfoliating properties, counteracts swelling caused by the accumulation of liquids, absorbs toxins, dirt, excess sebum and pollution that is deposited on the skin and proves capable of stimulating blood circulation in the tissues, making the skin clean, purified, fresh, luminous, rejuvenated and renewed (Williams et al, Int Geol Rev, 2010 - Beringhs et al, AAPS PharmSciTech, 2013). In addition, topical applications of clay have been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis, thus reducing the formation of wrinkles and leaving the skin more toned (Valenti et al, Clin Exp Dermatol, 2012).
Clay mask for dry, sensitive or mature skin
In a bowl pour two tablespoons of clay, preferably white clay, which is the most delicate, but whatever type you have at home is fine. Add rose water, with antioxidant, illuminating and anti-inflammatory properties (Lee et al, Food Sci Nutr, 2018), as much as it takes to obtain a creamy consistency, and a teaspoon of argan oil, moisturizing and anti-aging. In case of mature skin complete with two drops of essential oil of oregano, which has shown a powerful anti-aging and anti-wrinkle action (Laothaweerungsawat et al, Molecules, 2020). Apply on the face and leave on for ten minutes, then rinse and proceed with your usual treatment.
Clay beauty mask for oily and acne-prone skin
Green clay is excellent in these cases, since it has a strong antibacterial action (Incledion et al, Biomolecules, 2021). In a small bowl, pour two tablespoons of green clay. Add water a little at a time, stirring, until you get the desired consistency. Finally pour a teaspoon of jojoba oil and mix well. In fact, it has been shown that applying a clay and jojoba oil mask two or three times a week for a month and a half led to a reduction of more than 50% in lesions and inflamed boils (Meier et al, Forsch Komplementmed, 2012). As for the water to use, it is better to use it lukewarm as in this way the mask can stimulate the opening of the pores, perspiration and sebaceous secretion (Fox et al, Molecules, 2016). Apply the mask to a clean face, let it work for ten minutes, then rinse, spray a hydrosol, such as lavender water, and apply your cream or a few drops of an oil serum.
