I had this question come up recently and thought the clay mask can be one we easily forget to use in our treatment room. Clay masks are so rich in minerals and powerful at absorbing. Clay masks are great for most skin types. Mainly used on skin types that need purifying or oil absorption. Clay masks help to exfoliate promoting cell regeneration and improve circulation. The only skin types you would not use a clay on is one that is very sensitive and sun burned.
Types of Facial Clay Ingredients:
Green Clay (Montmorillonite) – Green is the most common color of the Montmorillonite clay but it can be found in shades of white, pink, blue, and yellow . This Green clay was first described in Montmorillon, France in the 1800s. It consists of volcanic ash and minerals. This type of facial clay is known to detoxify, clean and absorb sebum and impurities from the skin. Montmorillonite is known to contain at least 57 minerals. This powerful one-two punch ingredient purify, cleanse acne prone or oily skin types while giving back nutrients.
Pink Clay (Rose Clay or Pink Kaolin-Illite) – Pink clay is a naturally occurring clay found in many parts of the world. Pink Clay is considered a mild clay, perfect for normal to dry skin types. This type of clay cleanses, absorbs toxins and exfoliates dead skin.
Kaolin Clay (China or White Clay) – Kaolin Clay is also called Kaolnitie and it known to be the mildest of all the clays. It is great for all skin types even the most sensitive skin types. Kaolin Clay gently exfoliates the skin but does not draw out oil from the skin. This is why Kaolin Clay can be used even on dry skin types.
Bentonite Clay – Is also derived from Volcanic Ash. It is Similar to the Montmorillonite Clay. Sometimes Bentonite and Montmorillonite are used interchangeably. Bentonite Clay was found in Fort Benton, Wyoming and supply of this clay is still taken from there. Bentonite clay is also known as the healing clay due to its abundance of minerals. Bentonite Clay is cleansing and detoxifying. Great for combination, oily and acne prone skin types.
How to use clay masks:
For powdered clay masks you can control how thick or thin you want the mask to be. You can use water or tea to mix into the mask. Apply a thin layer to face and leave on about 10-15 minutes. Many estheticians like to remove the facial clay mask with a hot towel compress. It moistens the mask up again and helps remove the clay a lot faster and easier. Some estheticians also like to use it like a spot treatment like on just chin or areas prone to break outs.
Aesthetic Back Bar masks that contain Clay:
Revitalizing and Firming Mud Mask – Montmorillonite (Green Clay), Kaolin Clay (Pink Clay), DMAE, MSM
Anti-Aging Mask – Kaolin Clay, Bentonite Clay, Vitamin B and Vitamin C
Renewal Mask – Kaolin Clay, Bentonite Clay, Malic acid, Citric Acid, Tataric Acid