Facial masks are your friend. As your skin is the largest organ in your body, it would behoove us to take better care of it. By hydrating, cleansing and exfoliating your skin, you are actually helping it protect you from a variety of viruses and other irritants that would do you harm. A skin mask goes on wet, and as it dries, it peels back to reveal a pinker, cleaner dermis. Think of a facial mask like a piece of scotch tape. You have a piece of fuzz on your shirt, you put a piece of tape on it and VOILA the fuzz is gone. Such is the nature of skin mask, as they dry they come off with impurities, dirt that has embedded itself in your pores and fine lines, revealing the new you underneath!
You can use a facial mask on any part of your body, but try it out first on the inside of your elbow or a small spot on the side of your neck. Never use anything new without doing this allergy check first!
We will begin by choosing the right clay for your skin type. Each clay has its own healing properties, so you have to know what you want your facial mask to do before you begin. Each of these types of clay masks should only be used once a week for best effects.
Green clay (i.e., Bentonite, Zeolite or New Mexico clay) helps to draw toxins from the skin and can calm inflammation. It is particularly good for acne or redness in the skin. The best and most active clay. Superior absorbent capacity, cleanses, clarifies and purifies the skin. This clay is extracted by hand; it is very pure, soft and revitalizing.
White clay (i.e., Kaolin clay, China clay, Cosmetic Clay) soothes and softens the skin and is suitable for all skin types. This is the gentlest of all the clays; even good for aged or dry skin.
Red (Moroccan) clay can be suitable for dry and sensitive skins. High presence of iron oxide. Rich in trace elements, cleanses the skin, revitalizes the appearance and leaves the complexion looking radiant.
Pink clay is particularly useful for toning dull, tired, or devitalized skin. It also has excellent cleansing properties. A balanced blend of iron oxide, silica and mineral salts. Medium absorbency and an effective cleanser for sensitive skin types. Smoothes and re-textures the skin.
These various facial clays can be found at your local health food store or if you wish to purchase online, I recommend Herbal Accents dot com (or even our online stores). They have inexpensive and high quality clays. Or do a websearch for "clay facial" and you may find many out there. I have found clays for sale on eBay, Bonanzle and Etsy. Do a thorough search and compare prices. Your facial mask should NOT break the bank.
HOW TO DO IT:
All the above can be mixed with your choice of wet or dry ingredients. Green tea, powdered milk, oatmeal, dried or powdered herbs, dried roses, lavender, etc. have all been added to the clays in various concentrations. Experiment with what feels good and smells good. Each dry ingredient will have its own special properties.
As far as wet ingredients go, the list is endless: essential oils (too numerous to list here!), olive oil, distilled water, vegetable oil, honey, yogurt, wine, mashed bananas or strawberries... let your imagination and budget be your guide. I personally prefer the following recipe for a rejuvenating, soothing and smoothing mask. I follow it with a light moisturizer:
1 tablespoon Bentonite Clay, 1 Tablespoon powdered milk (you can use regular milk for your hydrating ingredient here), 1/2 teaspoon finely ground oatmeal. If not using milk, wet dry ingredients with water in a bowl until it is the consistency of pudding and smooth on your face, avoiding the eyes of course, and wait approx 10 minutes for it to dry. As it dries you will feel it "pulling". Wash it off in the kitchen sink with warm water and then a quick splash of cool water to seal your pores. Makes me feel young and so smooth!
If you don't want to make your own, we sell a small variety of bentonite clay facial masks in our store on Etsy and in our Bonanzle store , too!
DEFINITIONS / TYPES OF CLAYS:
Bentonite clay, Kaolin clay, and Fuller's Earth are also suitable for using in face masks. The latter being excellent for oily and acne prone skin conditions. Bentonite (Montmorillonite) from Wyoming and Montana is a great toning and oily skin treatment. Kaolin clay is a fine, soft clay
*Rhassoul Clay - This clay is used frequently in health and beauty spas due to it's smooth texture. Rhassoul clay, found only deep beneath the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, has been used for over 1,400 years as a natural beauty treatment for skin and hair; even nobles in ancient Rome and Egypt took advantage of this remarkable beautifying clay.
*French Green Clay - Comes from France. This clay is very absorbent and is the best clay for pulling impurities from the skin. French green clay takes its name from the fact that rock quarries located in southern France enjoyed a virtual monopoly on its production until similar deposits of illite clays were identified in China, Montana, and Wyoming. It was used in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece to treat a variety of skin problems and digestive disorders.
*Fuller's Earth Clay - This clay is well-known for it's skin lightening properties. It is also very good for oily skin. So mild, you can powder a baby's bottom with it! Mix it with baby powder for a wondrous foot powder.
*Bentonite Clay - This clay is made by volcanic ash in the US. It's most interesting property is that it's edible! It is used in natural health as an internal supplement to assist with mineral deficiencies. It is also used to purify the body and skin of toxins. Can be bought at some health food stores. We sell it online, too. :-)
*Kaolin Clay - White Kaolin Clay is found in virtually all powdered and dry cosmetics and most wet cosmetics. Its natural absorbent properties makes it essential in hygiene products and is often found in soaps, scrubs, poultices, deodorants, facial powders and masks. It is the mildest of all clays and is suitable to add to products created for people with sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. It does not draw oils from the skin, so it can also be used on dry skin types without negative results. Kaolin Clay is high in calcium, silica, zinc and magnesium, which are beneficial for oily, blemished skin. It is mined, as kaolin, in South America, the USA, Asia, Europe and Australia.
