Skincare trends aside, there’s one face mask that has stood the test of time: the clay face mask. Used throughout history to heal wounds, soothe inflammation and cleanse pores, clay can do wonders for the skin. Here’s why and how to incorporate this powerful ingredient into your skincare routine.
Why Use Clay Face Masks?
Clay is one of the most cleansing and detoxifying ingredients you can apply to the skin. Rich in minerals and vitamins, it helps to draw out impurities, clear blemishes and brighten tone.
Many different types of clay are used in skincare:
- Bentonite clay: Derived from volcanic ash, Bentonite Clay is one of the most potent clays available. A powerful cleansing agent, it helps to draw out impurities and detoxify the skin. It can be abrasive, though, and isn’t recommended for sensitive skin.
- Kaolin clay: Kaolin Clay is one of the mildest clays available, as it gently cleanses the skin without stripping its natural oils or causing sensitivity. Its mild exfoliating properties help to remove dead skin cells and impurities, working to reduce blemishes and imperfections.
- Rose clay: Perfect for sensitive skin, Rose Clay boasts mild exfoliating properties that help to clear the skin without being harsh or abrasive. It works to remove toxins without stripping the skin of its natural oils, leaving the complexion clear and hydrated.
Clay Mask Benefits
Due to their varying compositions and minerals, different clays can offer different results. However, some clay mask benefits remain universal.
Drawing out impurities
Throughout the day, dirt, oil, pollution, and other impurities build up on the surface of the skin and settle into pores. As a clay face mask dries, it causes the skin to overheat and pores to open, releasing trapped dirt and oil. The result? Impurities are washed away, leaving skin feeling clean and purified.
Mattifying
A clay mask can absorb excess oil from the skin (without stripping away the healthy oils), helping to mattify the skin for a shine-free complexion.
Refining pores
By unclogging the skin and absorbing excess oils, pores appear smaller and refined. The result? Skin looks smooth and evenly-toned.
Brightening
As dead cells accumulate, the skin is left looking dull and lacklustre. Fortunately, one of the key ways a clay mask benefits the skin is by sloughing away and exfoliating those dead cells, leaving your complexion looking fresh, bright, and revitalised.
Balancing
Using a clay face mask 2 or 3 times a week to slough away dead cells and remove excess oil and dirt can help to balance the skin, regulate sebum production and prevent breakouts.
The Best Clay Face Masks
Ready to discover the extent to which clay masks benefit the skin? We offer a pink clay face mask that refines and brightens, and a kaolin clay face mask that cleanses and mattifies.
Refining Pink Clay Face Mask
The Diamond Dust Refining Scrub Face Mask is a pore purifying clay treatment that helps to cleanse, refine and illuminate the skin.
While French Rose Clay dries on the skin, drawing out dirt and impurities, Rose Quartz Extract works to increase blood flow, leaving skin looking brighter and healthier. As the mask is washed off, refining Pink Diamond Dust polishes away dead skin cells, revealing the healthy, smooth skin beneath.
Once or twice a week, smooth the mask over clean, dry skin and leave for up to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water or a face cloth.
Kaolin Clay Face Mask
Ideal for those with oily and combination skin, the 5 Minute Thermal Charcoal Detox Mask is a self-heating clay face mask that works to detoxify, cleanse and mattify.
While purifying Charcoal works to draw out impurities, daily grime and pollution from deep within pores, mattifying Kaolin Clay absorbs excess oils without drying the skin and calming Myrrh Oil soothes irritation and redness.
2 to 3 times a week, massage of thin layer over a clean, dry face and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or using a cloth. Follow with your favourite Sanctuary Spa moisturiser or facial oil to lock in moisture.
Sanctuary Spa clay face masks are made with kind-to-skin clays that don’t irritate or strip the skin. Instead, they cleanse pores, brighten and refine, leaving skin feeling purified and looking revitalised. Shop all face masks and purifying skincare on our website.
