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Taking care of your skin is part of a healthy and fulfilling life.

In my opinion, skincare should be simple and practical enough that you’re able to follow it every day and every night.

Loading your regimen with a long list of steps will cost you a lot of money. It will also get overwhelming after some time. More often than not, you’ll be slacking off.

But no matter how complicated or not your routine is, one product should always be a part of it.

Yes, that is a good face mask. 

At a glance,

Should I apply a thick or thin face mask layer?

More is not better, if you apply a thick gloopey layer of face mask, chances are you will leave it on too long.  Apply an even, opaque layer to your skin for best results.

Where can I apply a clay mask?

Clay masks can be applied all over your face. Using the correct method, you can get the anti-inflammatory benefits of clay under your eyes and on the neck as well.  Just make sure you do not let the mask dry on those areas due to extra sensitive skin.

Can I apply a face mask with a brush or my fingers?

The correct tools will always make your life so much easier. You can use your fingers to apply the mask. But a brush will give you a better, even and smooth application. 

These instructions for how to apply a face mask are designed for clay and mud masks.  They also work for gel and cream masks.  Sheet masks obviously have different application instructions.

Clay masks are quick, easy and require very little learning curve. There are still certain things to keep in mind when using a dry clay.

These little complexities can be avoided with pre-made masks. But, at the cost of all the extra preservatives those products might have.  So always stick to clean ingredient masks.

Learning how to apply a dry clay mask will help your skin in the long run.

How to Mix and Apply a Clay Mask

Dry clay is a naturally occurring product made millions of years ago by volcanic deposits. It has no added preservatives to increase its shelf life. Therefore, it’s a better alternative to store bought pre-made masks (if you must, here’s my favorite brand).

Here’s some clay mask recipes to try:

• 9 Bentonite Clay Mask Recipes for Acne Prone and Oily Skin
• 8 French Green Clay Mask Recipes for Flawless skin
• 9 Kaolin Clay Recipes for sensitive and mature skin

Using a dry clay for masking is extremely simple. Just a little bit of knowledge about what to do and what not to do.

Always use a non-metal container. It can be glass, wood or ceramic. Activated clay has charged particles which can clump around metal. Also, use a non-metal spoon for the same reason.

The process itself is rather easy.

That was easy right?

If you feel like your face is red and tight, which you probably will. Give it some time it will subside within 30 minutes. But a face mask should never give you a burning sensation.

Always moisturize after your mask. Follow our guide to what to apply after a face mask.

As easy it is to apply a clay mask, here is a list of dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

For further instructions on the whole process, refer to our how to use a clay mask guide.

Today, I want to get super detailed into techniques for how to apply, where to apply the mask, and tools to use.

Thicker or Thinner?

One annoying thing which happens a lot is, I overestimate how much mask I will use. I will end up with too much product in my bowl. In an attempt to use it all in one go, I slather it all on my face.

This results in a thick gloopy layer on my skin. But does this even help?

According to Michelle Fry, product director at Bosica “Most people think you need to layer clay masks on thick to get results. The truth is, this only makes it take longer for your mask to dry and you end up leaving it on too long, which can be drying for the skin. If your mask becomes flaky, then chances are you’ve left it on too long and the mask has stripped your skin of the key moisture you need. Apply an even, opaque layer to your skin for best results.”

If you have made too much don’t be like me. Pour your mask in an airtight container. This container can be left in the fridge for next time.

Do I need to Apply the Mask to my Neck?

When you’re applying the clay mask on your face, you cover all the problem areas. For me it’s my oily T-zone definitely. Also my chin and jawline needs extra help (hormonal acne YAY).

But should you apply the clay mask on the sensitive areas? Like under the eyes, around lips or even on the neck?

Should you apply a mask directly under your eyes?

The skin below your eyes is super thin and very sensitive. You should be careful about what products that you apply below your eyes. Avoid products where you don’t know the ingredients. With simple dry clay masks, you should be good, as clay improves circulation. I noticed an improvement to my under eye bags.

What about applying a mask to your neck?

The skin of our neck is different, according to Dr. Dendy Engelman, dermatologist, “Neck skin is different. The dermis is thinner and more prone to wrinkling”.

So we apply on the neck if we want to, just keep in mind to never leave the mask on for too long and always remove before drying.

Should you apply a face mask with your fingers or a brush?

I have no hygiene issue with applying the mask with my fingers. My nails are always short, and I thoroughly wash my hands often.

Multiples studies have found that women with artificial nails harbour more bacteria under their nails than someone without.

A brush gives us precision. For a perfect spa like smooth application, brushes are good tool. It also allows us to have the mask evenly applied to the entire face.

Do you wash your hands much more then you wash your face mask brush?

Just remember to wash the brush before the clay dries on it. Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria so keep those clean.

What type of brush should you use?

In our clay mask assortment pack we include a small brush.

If you are a face mask fanatic like me, my favorite is actually a foundation brush.

The other popular option that’s new is a silicone brush.  With these, you don’t have to clean the bristles of the brush and worry about bacteria build up.

You can find these silicone brushes in cool silicone face mask sets.  I personally like to keep it simple and just use a small glass bowl from my kitchen.

Masking is a great habit, inexpensive and beginner friendly. Done correctly, it will help you skin keep its youthful glow alive and keep acne at bay.

It will also save you from salon visits because you have your perfect facial at home already.

Got anymore questions about face masks? Read our FAQ’s or comment below.

Disclaimer: Our content does not constitute a dermatologist or medical advice.