Whether you are aiming for a clearer or radiant skin or you’re just trying out a new skin care regimen, chances are you have encountered using clay. What’s good about this oldest form of skin care is that it provides a wide range of skin services – from solving complexion problems to addressing inflammatory complications.

French Red Illite Clay

The French Red Illite Clay is known to have high mineral content and rich red hue. This is brought about by the large amounts of iron oxide it houses together with its strong negative ionic charges. Because of its properties, this type of clay is usually used in the cosmetic and beauty industry. It has the ability to revive dull and dry skins and purify congested ones.

Do you know that it also has the capability to boost hydration, reduce the presence of wrinkles, fix broken capillaries, and increase oxygen flow inside your cells? This will take effect once the clay has contact with water. Because of the clay’s negative charges, the ionic exchange which happens draws out impurities in the skin cell and deposits essential nutrients.

You can find the French red illite clay as a staple in body wraps, rejuvenating baths and scrubs due to its unique ability to touch on the body’s circulatory system.

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is known to have different colors dedicated to serving different kinds of skins and which vary in their abilities. They are predominantly used as a bulking agent in cosmetics. Let us explore the types of kaolin clay so you can choose the best for you.

  • White Kaolin Clay – If you have sensitive skin which easily gets irritated, eczema, acne prone skin, and rosacea, white kaolin clay is the best for you! This clay is considered the gentlest and mildest clay for dry skin. Although it doesn’t absorb much dirt, this is the best when it comes to softening up your skin.
  • Red Kaolin Clay – Red kaolin clay is most popular for its absorbing powers. It targets those people with oily skin and it is also a great additional ingredient to detoxifying or acne masks.
  • Yellow Kaolin Clay – The yellow kaolin clay is mostly found in brightening masks since its main purpose is to boost circulation. It is slightly more absorbent and exfoliating than white kaolin clays but it still remains gentle enough to cater those individuals with sensitive skins.

  • Pink Kaolin Clay – If you want to experience the effects of both the white and red kaolin clay, you can find these perfect balance in pink kaolin clay. What’s good about this is that it offers its oil-vacuuming and gentle exfoliation properties without having to worry about damaging the gentle skins of the users.

Fuller’s Earth Clay

If you are looking for clay which can serve as a powerful absorber of oil and any kind of impurity, the Fuller’s Earth Clay is the one for you. It is known to have mild bleaching properties which can help address hyperpigmentation and oil problems. It also helps boost circulation when rose water is combined with it.

To prove its oil-absorbing ability, the earth clay has also been used to absorb oil spills caused by automotive products and is also used in cat litters. You can even apply this to clean your fabrics just in case any oily salad dressing spills onto your skill blouse.

However, due to its properties, the use of this clay is only recommended for those with oily skin. If used regularly, there is a large possibility that the skin will dry out easily. The maximum number of use for those with normal skin is only limited to once a week.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay was first discovered in the city of Fort Benton, Wyoming, North America which became the source of its name. This kind of clay boasts for its powerful detoxifying properties which are best to treat acne and blackheads and clean pores. When this is used internally or topically, its negative charged properties attracts heavy metals, toxins, and impurities which are positively charged in nature.

Aside from this, bentonite clay is also made up of other components such as silica, iron, potassium, calcium, and sodium. All of these nutrients are beneficial to any kind of skin type.

When bentonite clay and activated charcoal are mixed together, they form a detoxifying face mask. Here are some steps on how to do and apply your own detox mask:

  • Mix 3 capsules of activated charcoal and 2 tbsp bentonite clay in a small non-metal bowl.
  • Mix this concoction using a plastic or wooden bowl.
  • While stirring, add water teaspoon by teaspoon. Do not stop until you create a thick paste.
  • Before applying the mask to your face, make sure that your face is cleaned thoroughly. Dry your face with a towel just to make sure.
  • Using your clean fingertips, scoop a small amount of the clay mixture. Apply this to both your face and neck.
  • Leave the mixture for a maximum of 7 minutes or until it dries up.
  • Rinse it off using warm water. Do not stop until everything has been completely removed.
  • After this, do not forget to rinse your face with cold water just to tighten up your pores.
  • Dry your face using a towel and apply a small amount of coconut oil to your face and neck as a way to moisturize.

Green Zeolite Clay

Zeolite clays are microporous minerals which are formed whenever ash and volcanic rocks react with alkaline groundwater. Some people consider this clay as an uncomfortable treatment to the skin because of its slightly larger texture compared to the other types of clay. However, because of this property, it provides great exfoliating and absorption properties – best for those individuals with oily skin.

Cambrian Blue Clay

The Cambrian blue clay comes from the salt lakes of Siberia which are mostly composed of iron, algae, and zinc. Some compare this saline and mineral-rich clay to a sponge because of its super absorbing and detoxifying abilities. It also promotes the process of lymphatic drainage which makes it as one of the main ingredients of most bath soaks and compresses.

Some customers opt to create a powerful facial mask made out of Cambrian blue clay. Here is a step-by-step process if you’re interested in producing one for yourself:

  1. Mix 3 to 4 tsp of Cambrian blue clay, ½ tsp of bladderwrack powder, and ½ tsp of laminaria powder in a plastic or glass bowl.
  2. Stir the mixture using a plastic, wood, or glass stick.
  3. Put clean water over this until a smooth and spreadable paste surface. The consistency of the paste is up to you. You can modify the amount of water added to be able to reach your intended paste consistency.
  4. Stir the paste well and let it settle for around 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. After creating the mixture, gently massage the past into your skin for several minutes. Make sure that it is spread evenly to be able to maximize its effects.
  6. Leave it on your face for approximately 15 minutes to let it dry.
  7. After the 15 minutes, wash it off using warm water. You may opt to put moisturizer after just to provide nourishment to your skin.

If you have sensitive skin and has an iodine allergy, however, this powerful facial mask may not be the best for you. It contains strong ingredients such as laminaria and bladderwrack which might only cause additional irritation to your skin.

Umbrian Clay

Umbrian Clay originates from Umbria, Italy. Just like the other types of clay, it is also strong when it comes to unclogging pores, promoting skin clarity, and reducing breakouts. What’s unique about the Umbrian clay, however, is its possession of anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory properties address inflammation, irritation, and angry blemishes.

French Green Clay

Another natural clay option perfect for your skin is the French Green Clay! People started mining the green clay in Montmorillon, France but now, it’s also being mined in other parts of the world such as Europe, China, and North America.

This clay is a kind of bio-mineral which is composed of a decomposed plant material and other trace minerals like aluminum, magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and silica. Its green color comes from the high amounts of the said decomposed plant matter.

Aside from drawing impurities from the skin, it also has various beauty benefits. Let’s check them out!

  • Natural Deodorant Ingredient

French green clay is also used as a natural deodorant. It does not only detoxify your underarms but also absorb sweat and eliminates bad odor. If you are interested in creating a DIY Clay Deodorant, just mix shea butter, arrowroot powder, baking soda, French green clay, and essential oil together and leave it set in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.

  • Exfoliates Skin

The clay has a rough texture so when scrubbing into the skin, the tendency is that dead cells will slough off. What’s good about the French green clay is that it does not make your skin feel irritated and try. To avoid this, just make sure to add a small amount of water to the clay paste before rubbing onto your skin.

  • Reduces Large Pores

If you apply this on a regular basis, your large pores will most likely reduce – and even diminish.

  • Natural Face Cleanser

Surprise! You can also use this clay to wash your face. It is a natural face cleanser which has the ability to remove impurities such as stale oils, dead cells, and dirt. There’s also a technique to maximize its cleansing properties and that’s by storing it in a plastic jar. Every time you’ll wash your face, just pour a small amount of powder into your hands and mix it with water.

  • Clears Blemishes

The French green clay can also be used as a facial cleanser. If you include this as a part of your daily routine, there is a large possibility that your face will be free of blemishes in just a few weeks. The best blemish clearing recipe includes a mixture of the French green clay, lemon juice, and water. Once it forms into a paste, you now have the go signal to apply it on your blemishes. Let is stay there for 5 minutes.

Rhassoul Clay

One of the beauty secrets of Moroccan women is the application of Rhassoul Clay or also known as Ghassoul Clay. It has a variety of uses – a body mask because of its detoxifying properties, a natural shampoo combined with argan oil, any essential oil, and rose water, and a tool for a more radiant body. Its best selling property, however, is its effect on solving acne prone skins.

The best face mask for those individuals who are having troubles on acne breakouts is called the Itchy Acne Mask. Producing one on your own is just simple. Just follow the steps below.

  1. Add the following into a non-metal bowl: 1 tbsp of Rhassoul clay, a small amount of water, 1 tbsp raw honey, and 2 drops of tea tree essential oil.
  2. Once it has turned into a paste, slowly slather it into your face in a circular motion.
  3. Rinse it off after 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Dry your face and apply some moisturizer.

When creating your Itchy Acne Mask, make sure to avoid using metal tools such as a metal spoon or a metal bowl. This is to ensure that the clay retains its potency.

There are different clays offered in the market. They differ in color, composition, and effects and they have their own product niches. Hence, you just have to make sure to choose the best one which will fit your skin type and which will answer your skin concerns.