If you are tired of using all kinds of chemicals on your skin to make it more beautiful then try using kaolin clay mask next time. Clay masks help you remove the dirt, harmful toxins, black or white heads, and excessive oil from the skin making your skin spotless and beautiful. It also promotes blood circulation and gives you a glowing complexion. It rejuvenates the skin by exfoliating and closing the pores on the skin. Kaolin clays are also one of the natural skin care agents. You need to choose the right clay face mask for your skin type to get the desired results.
Types of Kaolin Clay
French Clay: It consists of montemorillonite. It is effective in absorbing oil and toxins from skin.
Rose Clay: It consists of iron oxides. It has cleansing properties that help in skin exfoliation and rejuvenating the skin.
White Clay: It is essentially a kaolinite, also known as china clay and it is ideal for sensitive skin. White kaolin clay does not absorbs oil and hence ideal for people with dry skin.
Yellow Clay: It has the same properties as white clay and is ideal for people with sensitive, normal, and dry skin.
Rhassoul Clay: This clay is found in mountains of the Atlas and widely used in beauty spas. It makes skin smooth and soft.
Fuller's Earth Clay: It's regular application helps in lightening the skin tone. It also absorbs excessive oil from the skin and hence is ideal for oily skin types.
The above cosmetic kaolin clays are increasingly used in various beauty products such as facial skin care products, body powders, soaps, lotions, and bath wash, etc. You can prepare various clay masks at home using above clays.
Clay Mask Recipes
Below given are some of the popular kaolin face mask recipes.
Mask for Acne Prone Skin
Ingredients
French green clay - 4 tablespoons
Dried bay leaves - 5
Water - 1 cup
Directions
First keep the water to boil and add bay leaves to it. Boil the mixture till it becomes half cup and then add it to the clay to form a thick paste. Apply this clay mask on the face and leave it to dry for 20 minutes. Now wash your face with warm water and dry gently.
Mask for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
China clay - 3 tablespoons
Lavender flowers - 2 tablespoons
Chamomile flowers - 2 tablespoons
Colloidal oatmeal - cup
Honey/ water/ floral water/ herbal water - for mixing
Directions
Make the fine powder of all the flowers. Mix all the ingredients well together by using one of the wet mixing agent. Apply the paste on the face and leave to dry for 20 minutes. Wash face with warm water.
Mask for Unclean Skin
Ingredients
White clay - 3 tablespoons
Bentonite -1/2 tablespoons
Glycerin - tablespoons
Water/ Hydrosol - 5 tablespoons
Rose essential oil - 2 drops
Directions
Mix all the ingredients well and make a thick paste. Apply it on the face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Wash the mask with warm water and dry the face gently with cotton cloth.
You can apply the masks of clays alone or can add various other clays, herbs and essential oils to it to make it more beneficial and effective. But, it is advisable to consult your doctor and to study the properties of the ingredients you are using so that you know if they are suitable for your skin or not. You can substitute the mixing agent, i.e., water with rose water, rose oil, lemon juice, yogurt, and aloe vera gel, etc., as per your skin type. While mixing, always make a smooth paste that is free of any clots and do not make the paste very watery or very thick as it can be very difficult to apply. Tie your hair before applying the mask and always use the mask brush while applying them. Do not keep the mask on the face for more than the prescribed time as it can have adverse effects on the skin. Apply a mild toner after washing off the mask.
