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Should you Use a Clay Mask for Oily Skin?
If 30 min after you have freshly washed and cleansed your skin, applied makeup and went out to face the day and your makeup is already sliding off your face, congrats you have oily skin.
It’s amazing because at that point I look at my face and wonder why I even bothered to put on a highlighter. My skin dissolves all of it in its own shine before I even get a chance to show it off.
Hyperactive oil glands have their perks as well. Even if you think you applied way too much powder and now your face looks dry, you just know it’s going to settle next time you look into the mirror.
Today, we are delving into commonly asked questions about using a clay mask for oily skin and how to choose a clay.
At a Glance,
Why is my skin so oily?
Oil or sebum is a compound produced by your sebaceous glands for hydration and to form a protective barrier on the skin. Sebum is necessary to maintain normal moisture level of the skin. Excessively oily skin can be genetic but other factors like lifestyle, hormones, diet and stress also play a role.
Should I use a face mask for oily skin?
If you feel like your face gets greasy too fast then face masks are your best friends. There are many different types of masks present in stores. Choose one that has the highest absorbency to flush out all the gunk from your pores. Clay masks are often a popular choice for oily skin because of their potent absorbency.
Are clay masks good for oily skin?
Clays are well known for their absorptive and healing powers. Their special chemical composition makes them a magnet for oil and dirt. They provide you with the deep detox your skin needs.
Oil is secreted by tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Mostly present on your face, back, neck and chest, there can be as much as 900 glands per square centimeter on these areas. Now that’s a lot of oil.
Oil Facts: when you’re a baby, your oil glands are very active. Baby acne is a thing. Shortly after that they begin to reduce their secretions up until puberty when they start working excessively again. For women the high sebum production ends after menopause. While for men, much later in life.
One of the most troubling problems with having oily skin is not that my face looks like a disco ball, I can handle that, but acne. Those pesky pimples that won’t go away even way into adulthood.
I was told Acne is a teenage problem but I’m almost 30 now and still deal with it. It’s not as bad now but because I have terribly active oil glands, my pores are just so easy to clog.
What type of face masks are for oily skin?
There are so many types of face masks available geared towards different skin problems. The most common types I have discovered include:
- Peel-off masks
- Cream masks
- Hydrogel masks
- Clay masks
- Sheet masks
- Charcoal masks
- Bubble masks (even that’s a thing now)
Greasy skin requires something with high penetration and absorbency. Something which seeps deep into the pores so we can have long lasting oil control.
Enter clay masks.
Do clay masks for oily skin actually work?
When it comes to clay masks how much do they really help?
Clay is composed of various minerals like zinc and calcium. It is also a powerful absorbent. So much, that previously it has been used to absorb acids or ingested poisons from the stomach. When applied to the skin in form of a paste it grabs on to dirt particles as well as excessive oil which are then washed away.
There are several types of clays determined by their mineral structure. They all have their unique properties and compositions which makes them ideal for every skin type.
But out of all those, two clays are my absolute favorites for dealing with my oily skin. Bentonite clay and French Green clay. Both are clays in our clay mask assortment pack.
Bentonite clay for Oily skin:
Bentonite, which is commonly referred to as the “Aztec healing clay” is considered to be the most powerful among all the clays in absorbency.
Bentonite clay has high “cation exchange” potential meaning the negative charge particles of the clay can very effectively attract positively charged dirt and heavy metals from the surface of the skin along with extra oil.
Read more about how cation exchange works or the definitive guide to bentonite clay.
Bentonite is also the only anti-bacterial clay. It’s also anti-inflammatory in nature while containing useful minerals like calcium, iron, and silicon which are all beneficial to the skin.
French Green Clay for Oily skin:
This is probably the most aesthetically pleasing clay ever due to its calming green color. It is another popular choice for anyone dealing with hyperactive sebaceous glands.
Green clay has minerals like iron oxide, dolomite, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, aluminum, silicon, copper, selenium, and cobalt.
This type of clay is important for its stimulating effect on the skin surface. It helps absorbs dead skin cells and debris from the surface and stimulates blood supply of the skin.
As the clay dries, it contracts the pores making them appear smaller while cleaning away the unwanted oily secretions.
Best DIY face mask for Oily Skin:
I always suggest and starting with a dry clay. That way your face mask is free of any nasties that might be embedded in your mask. There’s no preservatives or chemicals.
Because you are mixing the clay yourself, we consider these a DIY face mask.
When using clay, make sure you’re using a ceramic or a plastic bowl and spoon to prepare your mask. Avoid metals since clay has charged particles.
Here are my favorite 4 DIY face masks for oily skin:
1. Bentonite and Apple Cider Vinegar
This is the first because it’s the simplest.
2. French Green Clay with Green Tea
A perfect clay mask geared towards oily skin is with 2 of my favorite ingredients., This extremely simple recipe not only helps you deal with the grease problem but also helps soothe and calm irritated skin while refreshing your pores.
Green tea is known for its anti-oxidant properties, it helps control inflammation and heals skin from damage caused by UV radiations. But it’s not commonly known that green tea also works excellently to control extra sebum production.
3. Turmeric and Bentonite Clay
Don’t worry, there is a simple trick to ensure the turmeric doesn’t stain your skin. Turmeric and bentonite are powerful on acne and oily skin.
4. Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay Mask
Detoxing ingredients on double duty make this mask an ideal oil buster.
How often to use a clay mask for your oily skin:
For someone with oily skin, clay masks are very forgiving. If you’re using them correctly then you avoid the danger of over drying your skin.
Related: How to Use a Clay Mask
Always use the method of removing the mask every time before it dries. This lets you have all the benefits of the mask without the potential side-effects. This way you can use your clay mask more often, even every day.
It all comes down to how your skin is reacting to the mask. If you feel like using a mask every day is making your skin more inflamed, sensitive or dry, make it a bi-weekly routine. You are the best judge in this case.
Clay masks are so full of benefits for all skin types but if you have oily skin then they are totally irreplaceable. The more sebum your skin produce, the more you are prone to getting clogged pores and acne.
Using a clay mask will help you deal with all these problems in one simple step. Say goodbye to acne and blackheads with cleaner brighter skin.
What is your favorite face mask your oily skin? Leave a comment below!
Disclaimer: Our content does not constitute a dermatologist or medical advice.
