Clay Masks FAQ: Answers to every Clay Mask Question you have!

The journey of natural skincare is not easy. There’s a lot of different information out there. And a lot of products that are packed with nasty ingredients.  So here’s the answers to some of the top clay mask FAQ’s that I had along my journey. 

Why to use a clay mask?

Clay masks are a natural skin care product, that’s millions of years old, derived from our mother earth.  The benefits of using a clay mask are deep cleansing your skin, detoxing impurities, shrinking the appearance of pores, adsorbing excess oil, regulating oil production and combating acne blemishes.

How does a clay mask work?

Clay is naturally negatively charged so that gives clay the ability to remove chemicals and heavy metals from your skin.  While drying, clay also adsorbs impurities like dirt, excess oils, dead skin cells from your pores. Scientifically, this process is called cation exchange and adsorption. Read more about that in how clay works.

Are Clay Masks good for Acne?

Yes! Clay masks are very effective for acne because they absorb impurities from your skin that cause acne, so using a clay mask as part of your regular routine can reduce future breakouts.  Clay also has anti-inflammatory to soothe existing breakouts.  Some types of bentonite, are even antibacterial to fight the acne causing bacteria that gets trapped in your pores.

Can a clay mask make me breakout?

Yes, a clay mask may cause a breakout, initially. It’s not uncommon to wake up the next day with a breakout. But this can be a good thing. The clay is bringing to the surface what was clogged in your pores. If the location of the pimple is in a different spot than normal, it’s a reaction to the product. But if it’s in a normal blemish area, it’s your skin purging, a good thing! Here’s what to do if your clay mask makes you breakout.

Are clay masks good for sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin ongoing conditions like eczema and rosacea can definitely benefit from integrating a clay mask once a week into their routine.  If you have sensitive skin that has often experiences reactions to some ingredients, clay masks are a great option. Especially a dry clay mask that you mix yourself, so you know there’s no other ingredients hiding in your mask.  Here’s which clay masks you should choose for sensitive skin.

Can I use a clay mask if I have dry skin?

Clay masks are effective for removing and absorbing impurities from your skin.  Just because you have dry skin doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t need a thorough cleansing.  For dry skin, choose a clay like rhassoul clay, that has smaller expansion capabilities. Add oils to your clay mask to add a moisturizing agent.  With dry skin, don’t leave the clay mask on for as long, try just 5 minutes.

Are clay masks good for eczema?

Bentonite and french green clay has gotten the reputation as a healing clay. It’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to adsorb impurities from your skin can be an effective remedy for eczema. Here’s our guide to clay and eczema.  For eczema apply bentonite clay as a mask, detox bath or as a poultice.

Are clay masks good for rosacea?

Like eczema, a person with rosacea might also find that clay masks are an effective, natural remedy.  Rosacea is often caused by an irritant to the skin, so a clay mask can be an effective skin detox to cleanse your pores of impurities. Kaolin and rhassoul clay are the best clay for rosacea.

Are clay masks good for oily skin?

Clay is very, very absorptive.  Not only is clay excellent at removing impurities stuck in your pores like dirt and dead skin cells, but also excess oil.  Clay will adsorb the excess oils that your skin produces, but will also aid your skin in regulating the ongoing sebum (oil) production.  Here’s why your skin is so oily and how clay masks are good for oily skin.

Why is my face red after a clay mask?

If you left your clay mask on till it’s over dry and cracking that is a very common cause for redness after a face mask. Next time, remove the clay mask before it dries.  Some redness after a clay mask can be common, especially with a french green clay, bentonite or rhassoul clay. The redness will go away naturally in approximately 30 minutes.

Can a clay mask burn your face?

A clay mask should never create a “burning” sensation on your face.  It’s perfectly normal to feel a tingling or tightening sensation.  If you experience a burning sensation after a face mask you should revisit the other ingredients that are in your clay face mask. 

Why do you use apple cider vinegar with bentonite?

Bentonite clay is very alkaline and has a PH level of approx 8.6 to 9.  Your skin has a natural PH of approx 5.5.  When you apply a skincare product to your skin that is too alkaline, this can cause redness and a poor skin reaction.  Mixing your bentonite clay with an acidic ingredient like apple cider vinegar can balance the PH of your bentonite and ACV face mask.

How do clay masks draw out impurities?

Clay masks draw out impurities from your skin with a process called adsorption.  That means it adsorbs, sticks to, the impurity.  When the clay is removed from your skin, those impurities will be removed from your skin with it.  Clay masks work by adsorption and cation exchange.

Can clay masks tighten pores?

Clay masks, especially french green clay, can be effective for reducing the appearance of your pores.  It’s not possible to change the size of your pores but a clay mask can reduce the impurities stuck in your pores and improve the elasticity of the skin around the pore.   This will improve the appearance of your pores. Here’s how.

Can clay masks remove whiteheads?

A whitehead is caused by a clogged pore which is infected by acne causing bacteria.  White heads should never be removed by “picking” at them.  A clay mask will also not immediately remove a whitehead but will reduce the inflammation and speed up the healing process of that blemish.

How much clay mask to apply?

The statement, less is more, is certainly true here.  You don’t need to apply a super thick layer of clay to your face mask.  A fairly thin layer that’s approx 1/8″ thick will do the trick. Here’s how to apply a clay mask.

How to use a clay mask?

Always apply a clay mask to cleansed skin.  After cleansing apply the mask with a brush or your fingers.  Enjoy some relaxation time while the clay mask dries for approx 5-10 minutes. Always remove the mask BEFORE it dries. Follow up with toner and moisturizer. Here is the step-by-step guide for how to use a clay mask.

Where to apply a clay mask?

Your face is not the only skin on your body that will benefit from a mask.  Apply a clay mask as a whole body mask, as an armpit detox or acne prone problem areas like your chest and back.

Do you clay mask or exfoliate first?

Clay adsorbs impurities from your skin while exfoliating will slough off loose impurities like dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Exfoliating first can remove the dead skin cells so that the clay mask can be an effective cleanse.  You can also combine the mask and exfoliate with a coffee mask scrub.

Can you use a clay mask everyday?

Whether you can use a clay mask everyday depends on the type of clay you are using.  You can use kaolin clay everyday, even as your cleanser.  However, you should only use bentonite, french green clay and rhassoul clays 1-2 times a week.

Can clay masks be used overnight?

No! Never!  Not even if your clay mask has moisturizing ingredients should you use a clay mask overnight.  Clay masks only need approximately 5 to 10 minutes to be effective.

How long should you leave a clay mask on for?

You should always remove a clay mask BEFORE it fully dries.  This often only requires approximate 5-10 minutes of application time. So here’s a detailed guide how long to leave a clay mask on for.

Should you use a clay mask before or after the shower?

Myth buster: you’re pores do NOT open and close.  They are not like a mouth.  So having a hot shower or steaming your face does not open your pores.  It’s still recommended to apply your face mask after a shower as the steam does loosen any debris trapped in your pores.

What do you do after a clay mask?

After removing a clay mask, what you do after a clay mask is just as important. always follow up with an astringent toner, serum and a moisturizer.  You can choose a moisturizer or a natural cosmetic oil, like rosehip seed oil or marula oil. 

How to wash a clay mask off?

I use 3 techniques to remove a clay mask. First, apply a hot face towel to your face to remoisturize the clay.  My favorite, gently apply a warm towel to your face for 10 seconds, then gently wipe away.

Can clay masks go down the drain?

You shouldn’t be apply a super thick face mask to your skin. So in small amounts, clay should not be problematic for your drains.  But as a rule of thumb, large amounts of clay down the drain are a no-no.  Especially if you have a septic field. 

Can clay mask go bad?

Yes, clay masks that are in a liquid form require a preservative. Look for an expiry date on products like that.  Otherwise dry clay powder has a super long shelf life of approx 3-5 years.  Always store your clay in air tight containers so bacteria doesn’t get into the package.  Store out of direct sunlight, especially in packaging with plastic.  Here’s how to figure out if your clay mask expires.

How does a hair clay mask work?

Clay hair masks work the same for hair as they do for face masks.  We easily forget about our scalp.  The clay will adsorb the excess oils and mineral build up from your hair.

Are clay masks good for dark spots?

Not popping that pesky pimply is the first way to avoid dark spots and acne scarring. I know, it’s hard.  So use a bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar clay mask instead.  Clay itself, is not considered to be a treatment for dark spots, however some people have found success with apple cider vinegar, also commonly mixed in this clay mask.

Are clay masks good for mature skin?

We often think, once our skin has matured that it doesn’t need the same care and attention.  It does! Your mature skin can still benefit from deep cleansing and removing harmful chemicals, heavy metals and air pollutants from your skin.  My favorite mask for mature skin is rhassoul clay!

Are clay masks safe during pregnancy?

While you are pregnant you need to be mindful of the ingredients in the products you apply to your skin, this includes your face mask. Stick to a dry clay face mask that you can mix is the safest way to ensure that there are no unwanted ingredients, parabens or preservatives.  Read more about precautions to take for face masks while pregnant. 

Are clay masks peel off?

No, clay masks are not peel off. What’s the difference between clay mask and a peel off mask? A clay mask is made of natural ingredients whereas a peel off mask has a gelatin like substance.  Be careful with peel off masks that are susceptable to damaging your skin during the peel off.

What is the difference between clay mask and sheet mask?

Clay, the beneficial ingredient, is mixed and applied direct to your skin.  Whereas with a sheet mask, the sheet is soaked in the beneficial ingredients and then applied to your skin. 

Will a clay mask help a sunburn?

Bentonite clay and french green clay are also nicknamed healing clays.  They can be applied as a poultice to a burn, including a sunburn to nourish skin.  Mix your bentonite with other sun healing ingredients like aloe vera clay mask.

What is pink clay?

What family of clay does the famous pink clay belong too?  The kaolinite clay family.  That means this clay is very absorbent but because it doesn’t expand, it’s quite gentle on the skin.