Choosing The Right Clay Mask Based On Your Skin Type

With new skincare brands popping up every five seconds it can be difficult to decipher through the hundreds of products and choose a routine that’s right for you. Whether it’s just taking time to relax, show self-care, or a strict part of your anti-acne regimen, we all want to indulge in that at home spa experience by pampering ourselves with a mask. However, when it comes to clay masks, it’s not a one size fits all ordeal. Certain masks are great for absorbing excess oil while others diminish blackheads or help to reduce pustular acne. Keep reading below to discover which clay is the most suitable for your skin concern.

Rhassoul Clay for Blackheads and Whiteheads

Rhassoul clay is perfect for both the skin and hair, helping to absorb excess oils and enrich the skin with varies minerals. Rhassoul clay carries a strong negative charge, while most of the toxins in our skin contain a positive charge- working to draw impurities out of the skin like a magnet. This clay is ideal for those stubborn sebum plugs, blackheads, and other small impurities found on the skin. It's gentle enough to use in small daily doses and can often be found in cleansers or toners, leaving your skin feeling clean without being stripped. 

Bentonite Clay for Powerful Deep Cleansing

Bentonite clay is extremely powerful and absorbent. And it’s no wonder as to why- it is actually created from volcanic ash! Bentonite clay gives products a slick or slip like feeling. Bentonite clay has extremely strong oil-absorbing properties and has the ability to absorb more than its mass in water, making it an amazing choice for anyone who deals with oily skin.

Bentonite clay also has electric properties when mixed with water, creating a positive charge to attract out bacteria, fungus, impurities, swelling, and even excess sodium from your skin! It’s one of the most powerful clays on the market and proves time and time again to be a favorite in the acne community. The most well-known and talked about Bentonite clay mask in the beauty community happens to be none other than the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mask, click here to shop.

Australian Pink Clay for Sensitive Skin and Redness

Pink masks are one of the more “trendy” masks right now, and it's for a good reason! Australian pink clay is soothing to the skin, helping to calm red, irritated skin while also absorbing oil. Australian pink clay is one of those masks that are ideal for almost any skin type, helping to soothe, absorb oil, freshen up the skin, and even reduce sunburns! You’ve probably already seen this Sand & Sky pink clay mask floating around social media, but if you haven't- take a peek here!

French Green Clay for Exfoliation and Pore Tightening

French green clay proves to be the best for exfoliation, pore tightening and is also an amazing choice for absorbing excess oil. The green color naturally comes from the decomposed plant material and iron oxides. For this clay to be effective it should be rich in green color as the name states, never grey or white. French green clay works to increase blood circulation, pulling blood towards the surface of your skin and giving you a tingling sensation. If you haven’t checked out the Sephora branded skincare yet, this mask might be a good place to start!

Kaolin Clay for Brightening

Kaolin clay can come in a variety of colors; red, pink, white, and yellow are some of the more popular ones used in skincare. Kaolin clay is the gentlest out of all the clays and is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Kaolin clay is also circulation-boosting so it’s found in a lot of brightening masks. Red Kaolin clay is the most absorbent of all Kaolin clays and is the best for oily prone skin. Pink Kaolin clay is a mixture of both red and white clay, making it an amazing option for sensitive skin that needs a little exfoliation. Kaolin clay is a fairly popular ingredient in masks and there are SO many to choose from! This Youth to the People Superfood mask contains Kaolin clay and is definitely worth checking out if you are a lover of clean beauty.

Fullers Earth Clay for VERY Oily and Blemish-Prone Skin

Fullers earth clay is another extremely absorbent clay, so strong that its actually used in cat litter boxes and clean up oil spills. As you can tell, when put on your skin, this stuff means BUSINESS. It works to absorb oil, address issues of hyperpigmentation, and contains mild bleaching properties that can create an even-looking skin tone. This mask is typically recommended for those who have extremely oily skin as it can be very drying, normal skin types may be able to tolerate it once a week or once every two weeks. Fullers Earth Clay is not as commonly found in OTC skincare; however, you can buy it purely from Mountain Rose Herbs here!