Facial clay masks are part of a complete skin care regime and should be included at least twice a week in your daily skin care regime. There are however regular clays, and then there are high quality, premium cosmetic/beauty clays.
Argiletz clay are amongst the best clay on the market today. They are free from any contaminants and have many beneficial effects on the skin, making them ideal clay to use for facial and body clay masks. But what exactly are these facial clay masks and what do they actually do to your skin that is so beneficial? In this article we will take a close up look at facial clay masks, how they work, what makes them an essential part of your skin care regime and how your skin benefits from their use.
What is Clay?
Clay is naturally occurring substances containing minerals, trace elements and nutrients. Clay is a part of most soils and gardeners the world over are very familiar with the properties of clay rich soils.
In the beauty industry however, clay is used in different ways, however, the properties of the clay don’t change, their applications however, do.
Argiletz clays are high quality sun dried clay that come from Argiletz, a region in France, where they are extracted at specific depths in areas that are free from contamination. They are quarried under strict conditions to ensure that their mineral content and purity is retained.
Green Argiletz clay for example is a bio-mineral, which is naturally concentrated, containing various mineral salts and trace elements including: Silica, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt, manganese and many others.
What does facial clay do? and How do they work on the skin?
These mineral salts, trace elements and other nutrients listed above have a detoxifying, nourishing, restoring and soothing effect on the skin.
Clay is naturally absorbent, and draws toxins from deep in the skin’s tissues, thus cleansing and detoxifying the skin. Its slight grainy texture exfoliates dead skin cells from the surface layer of your skin, while the nutrients contained in the clay have a toning and firming effect on the skin.
By adding plant hydrosols such as Melissa, Niauoli, Rose and others, the natural benefits of the different facial/body clay can be further enhanced.
Types of Clay Used in Our Facial/Body Clay Masks
There are many types of clay, however in this article I will focus on what are arguably the best quality clay on the market today. The different Argiletz clay used in Wildcrafted Herbal Products’ facial/body clay masks.
Green Clay
The most absorbing of the Clay, Green Clay is generally used as a Face Mask for tissue repair, drawing toxins from the skin and to normalize excessive secretions of oil or sweat. Applied as a Face or Body Mask, facial clay masks cleanse, exfoliate, smooths and soften the skin. Green clay is especially good at drawing toxins out.
White Clay
White clay is a mild clay used for normal skin. It has similar properties as green clay and is suitable for Face and Body Masks for young and sensitive or mature and delicate skins. Applied as a powder, White Clay is an excellent body deodorant and a natural alternative to talcum powder. White Clay is the Clay of Choice for use as a Hand Mask to soothe and soften dry hands.
Red Clay
Red clay is high in iron oxide, hence its colour, and helpful for broken capillaries, bags under the eyes and sensitive skin types. It is used for toning the bust, thighs, stomach and upper arms. Red clay is an oily, mildly absorbent clay and is used for Face and Body Masks in cases of dry, sensitive or mature skin.
Pink Clay
This Clay is intended for use in a maintenance program for the face and body. The softening effect of Pink Clay refines the skin’s texture while toning the epidermis (outer layer of the skin).
Yellow Clay
Yellow Clay is used for normal skin and has similar properties as green clay. This clay is derived from the iron oxide, Xanthoria Parietina. Yellow Clay is generally used for Face and Body Masks, particularly in cases where the condition of the skin and body needs revitalising. Yellow Clay is recommended for most skin types to restore tired and neglected skin.
Note: Be careful of coloured clay, there are many manufacturers that add dyes to clay to produce artificially coloured clay, which do not have the same properties of effects and may well do you more harm than good. So choose carefully.
What are The Effects of Natural Clay on The Skin?
As indicated above, Argiletz Clay are pure, mineral-rich clay that help detoxify, cleanse, tone and revitalize your skin when used in masks and/or in body/face creams. They also have a nutritive effect on the skin. It is important to choose the right facial clay for your skin.
How to Use Clay?
The Earth Medicine Facial Clay should be used once or twice a week, prior to toning and moisturizing, as a special cleansing skin treatment. The gel based clay blends can be used as a gentle, conditioning exfoliant scrub, whilst the cream based clay blends can be used as a mask to nourish, moisturize and hydrate.
Masks
The Cream based clay are designed for use as masks. Apply sufficient Clay Crème to the face and neck and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off in warm water.
Facial Gel Wash
The Gel based facial clay washes are designed for use as gentle exfoliant and toning scrubs. Simply moisten the face and neck with warm water and apply a small amount of Clay Gel and massage into a light foam for 2 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
The Author:
Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you. Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter – it’s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.
© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2006