a young woman and an old lady smiling to the camera

5 benefits of
clay face masks for the skin

Discover the key clay mask benefits and how to choose the best clay face mask for your skin

Read Time

3 min

In short:

Clay face mask benefits for the skin
5 main clay mask benefits
Types of clays

Clay face mask
benefits for the skin

Clay is well known for its cleansing and purifying powers and is one of the most effective skin care ingredients. Read more to discover what benefits a clay face mask has, how to choose the clay for your skin and how to make a DIY clay mask at home.

In general, clays are best for normal to oily skin as their main property is to absorb excess oils and prevent mild forms of acne such as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. If you have dry skin, you may find using clay face masks uncomfortable - this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use clay - just choose a milder type.

Using a clay face mask for oily skin 1-2 times a week may help manage the excess sebum. However, if you have severe cystic acne, it’s best to speak to a doctor to find the best treatment option for you. Clay face masks won’t treat the root cause of the acne, which may be hormonal.

5 Main
Clay Mask Benefits

As they are nutrient-rich, clay face masks have multiple benefits to your skin:

old lady looking into the camera with his hand under his chin

Absorbs oil & minimises shine

Clay absorbs the excess sebum and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface without dehydrating the skin.

Draws out impurities & shrinks pores

Clay works like a magnet to pull out any impurities from your pores and tightens them.

A woman and a man smiling, with nice and bright skin

Suits all skin types

Even if you aren’t suffering from breakouts, clay face masks are rich in minerals and acids such as silica, calcium, sodium, iron, copper and magnesium, that benefit every skin type.

Anti-bacterial properties

Clay doesn’t only remove toxins from your skin but it can also bind harmful bacteria. Clay face masks work as an antibiotic that can heal skin infections such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis without removing the good bacteria that promote healthy skin immunity.

Softer & glowy skin

Clay contains silica, a natural compound found in nature which has multiple benefits to the human body and skin, for example, helping to produce collagen, a key component for youthful skin.

Types of
clays

There are various types of clays that are used for skin care, here are a few the most popular ones:

1
Bentonite clay
the most popular, as it is the most potent. It has the strongest ability to detoxify the skin, draw out any impurities from the skin’s surface and counter bacterial infections. If you have more sensitive skin, you might want to stick with a white Kaolin clay, as Bentonite could dry your skin out.

2
Rhassoul clay
an ancient, mineral-rich clay, that’s great for both skin and hair. It has powerful detoxifying properties and works as a perfect magnet for attracting toxins, sebum, blackheads and bacteria. Rhassoul is gentle and won’t dry your skin out as Bentonite might.

3
Kaolin clay
gentle clay that’s suitable for sensitive skin. White Kaolin clay is great for mild exfoliation, yet it doesn’t possess the same detoxification properties as Bentonite. There are different varieties of Kaolin, such as yellow, pink or red - the deeper the hue, the higher ability to absorb toxins.

4
Green clay
another commonly used type of clay. It doesn’t only drink up oils and impurities but also pulls blood towards the surface of your skin, giving a little tingling sensation as it boosts circulation. The green colour determines the quality of the clay - it shouldn’t look grey or white.

a young girl laying her head on a pile of towels

DIY clay face mask recipe

If you are interested in trying a clay face mask, you can easily make one yourself:

1
Mix equal amounts of clay powder of your choice to clean, purified water. If the clay is too dry, add more liquid

2
Mix in a bit of honey and add a few drops of essential oil like lavender, rosemary or lemongrass. Make sure to stir thoroughly

3
Apply on a clean face and let it dry for 15-20 minutes

4
Rinse off with lukewarm water

5
Moisturise your face - use a rich moisturiser as NIVEA Nourishing 24h Moisture Day Cream to restore the skin’s moisture balance

6
For best results, apply 1-2 times a week.

5 benefits of clay face masks for the skin

Clay face mask benefits for the skin

5 Main Clay Mask Benefits

Types of clays

5 benefits of
clay face masks for the skin

Clay face mask
benefits for the skin

5 Main
Clay Mask Benefits

Types of
clays