The beautifying benefits of clay
The cosmetic use of clay dates back thousands of years to ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who harnessed its purifying and beautifying properties. Cleopatra, renowned for her natural radiance, was said to use clay from the Nile River as part of her beauty and skincare rituals. Fast forward to today, and clay is still being used by various cultures around the world for skincare and beauty purposes.
Clay has been associated with many beauty benefits, including:
• Purifying: Clay is drawing in nature, meaning it pulls out excess oils and impurities from the skin, deeply cleansing pores and therefore minimising breakouts.
• Exfoliation: Clay works to gently exfoliate the skin, sloughing away excess dead skin cells and promoting a brighter and more radiant complexion.
• Improved skin tone: Due to its purifying and exfoliating effects, clay has been associated with promoting a more even and clear skin tone.
• Tightening: Clay has a tightening effect on the skin, which may help to naturally reduce the appearance of fine lines and sagging.
While clay can play a wonderful role in a holistic skincare routine, it is important to understand its qualities and use it correctly in order to receive the beautifying benefits and to avoid creating skin imbalance.
Here are some holistic tips for getting the most out of clay:
• Clay’s ‘drawing’ qualities mean that it is also ‘drying’ for the skin. When used too often or as a standalone product, it can cause the skin to become dry by drawing out too much moisture. For this reason, I generally don’t suggest clay face masks for those who have excessively dry skin, except in the case of a spot treatment. I always suggest mixing clay with a little natural oil or honey to counteract some of the dryness, such as in the face mask recipe provided below.
• Clay’s exfoliating qualities mean I do not recommend using this ingredient on an everyday/regular basis. Exfoliation is an important step in a skincare routine as it helps to slough away excess dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant and smooth complexion. The top layer of skin is actually made from dead skin cells, which play an important role in protecting the underlying layers. When we over-exfoliate, we slough away too many cells before the body has time to produce new ones, which compromises the integrity of the top layer, leaving the underlying layers susceptible to irritation, dehydration, and environmental pollutants. How much to exfoliate will always depend on skin type, but at the most, I would suggest no more than once per week and thus would not suggest using clay as a mask more than weekly, and in some cases, fortnightly.
• Less is best when it comes to holistic beauty. I do not recommend applying a thick layer of clay to the face or leaving it on for too long, in which case it will become hard to remove and may lead to scrubbing of the skin. I suggest using clay sparingly and intuitively, always listening to one’s individual skin needs, in order to harness the beautifying magic it has to offer.
Purifying & Firming Clay Face Mask Recipe
This recipe is provided for your inspiration. Please ensure that all ingredients are appropriate for you and your unique circumstances before applying to your beautiful face. Always test patch new ingredients.
Ingredients:
• 1 tsp clay, such as bentonite or pink clay
• 1/2 tsp honey, maple syrup, or jojoba oil
• Enough rose water to form a paste
How to:
• Apply a thin layer to the face (don’t forget the neck and décolletage, which are considered part of the face in holistic facial therapy).
• Allow to set for 5-10 minutes maximum.
• Gently remove with lukewarm water and a soft face wash if needed. Avoid any scrubbing on the skin.
• Tone with a spritz of rose water and be sure to moisturise with a high-quality oil (such as jojoba) to replenish moisture levels.
This recipe may also be used as a spot treatment by applying it to blemished areas in the same way. Alternatively, I have also been enjoying Life & Pursuits Turmeric Face Mask, which counteracts clay’s ‘drawing’ qualities with the moisturising effects of aloe vera. I personally still like to mix this mask with a little jojoba oil or honey, and it leaves my skin feeling silky and smooth.
If you would like to dive deeper into the realms of holistic self care for promoting radiant beauty and glowing skin, please join me in The Radiance Rhythms membership.